Ashutosh Gowariker directed Panipat, ever since its trailer launch, created a positive stir across the industry and grabbed attention for the right as well as wrong reasons. The film which is based on the events that eventually led to the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 landed into a series of controversies soon after the trailer came out. However, things seemed to settle down when the war drama hit the screens last week and received a thumbs up from the critics. But, unfortunately, Panipat failed to get rid of troubles. Within a few days post its release, the Jat community belonging to Jaipur, Bharatpur and Bikaner in Rajasthan raised objection over a scene and accused the makers of portraying their 'maharaj' Surajmal in a bad light. Soon, outrage broke out and Jat community members began protesting against Panipat. In the state capital, people gathered in large numbers at Surajmal Square, which became a protest site. 

Considering the rage and angst amongst the Jat community, the makers of Panipat took a mutual decision to delete the controversial scene revolving around Marathas and Maharaja Surajmal, if reports are to be believed. “A scene from Panipat had upset the Jat community seeking the ban on the film. However, understanding the sensitivity of the situation, the makers of the movie decided to chop the 11-minute scene which offended the people in Rajasthan. The scene is now no more a part of the movie and the film is now 11 minutes shorter,” a source close to the film was quoted.

Recommended Read: 'Panipat' row: Protests in Jaipur, Bharatpur and Bikaner for portraying king Surajmal negatively in Arjun Kapoor starrer

Speaking of the 11-minute scene, Maharaja Surajmal, who was the Hindu Jat ruler of Bharatpur, on being asked for help to fight the Mughals by Arjun Kapoor's character named Sadashiv Rao, a Maratha warrior, demanded Agra Fort. While Sadashiv Rao refused to conform to the deal and is asked to turn away.

Directed by Ashutosh, Panipat is produced by Sunita Gowariker under their home banner AGPPL in association with Rohit Shelatkar's company – Vision World. The film stars Arjun as Sadashiv Rao while Kriti Sanon is his wife Parvatibai. Sanjay Dutt is the menacing Ahmad Shah Abdali. Apart from them, it features Padmini Kolhapure, Mohnish Bahl and Zeenat Aman in special roles. Panipat released on December 6, 2019.

(Source: Hindustan Times)