Jaipur: Following protests from the leaders and ministers of the Jat community in Rajasthan over the portrayal of legendary Jat ruler of Bharatpur Maharaja Suraj Mal in Ashutosh Gowariker's film Panipat, several movie theatres in Rajasthan have stopped running the film.

"Several cinema halls have discontinued with screening of the film in view of the protest. Cinema halls have to bear the brunt in such a situation against a film which is being screened after clearance from the Censor Board," Raj Bansal, general secretary of the Rajasthan Film Trade and Promotion Council, told PTI.

In a written complaint to the Rajasthan police to register an FIR against the makers of Panipat, the Jat groups have alleged that historical facts have been distorted in the film to show the community in a poor light.

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"The film has presented Maharaja Suraj Mal's character in an objectionable manner. The actor portraying the Maharaja in the movie doesn't physically match his personality. Contrary to what's shown in the film, the Agra Fort had always been in the control of the Maharaja," the complaint reads.

No FIR has yet been registered.

"It's a publicity stunt done by the filmmakers to demean the ruler of a particular community," Ram Avtar Palsaniya, one of the complainants told The Wire.

"We have given two days time to the government to take action against the filmmakers, else a massive protest by our community will follow," added Palsaniya.

Rajasthan tourism minister Vishvendra Singh and other MLAs, Wajib Ali, Mukesh Bhakar and Ramswaroop Gawadia, also joined the demand for a ban on the film.

Chief minister Ashok Gehlot has also spoken in favour of the protesters. "I believe that art and the artists should be respected but they should also take care that any caste, religion, class, great personalities and gods are not insulted," Gehlot said.

"The reactions that are coming about the portrayal of Maharaja Suraj Mal in the film, such a situation should not have been created," the chief minister said, adding that the Censor Board should intervene and take cognisance of it.

The state government has also sought a response from film producers over objections to the movie.

The protests have also reached Rohtak where the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti is demanding a ban on the film in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and other places.

"It's unfortunate that the Censor Board has become a toothless body. Filmmakers should understand that their unmindful presentation of rulers hurts the sentiments of the entire community," Yashpal Malik, national president of the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti told The Wire.

The firlm is based on the third battle of Panipat fought between the Maratha emperor and Afghan king Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1761. Actor Arjun Kapoor plays the role of Sadashiv Rao Bhau, commander of the Maratha army and Maharaja Suraj Mal is shown as having denied help to the Maratha army.

(With inputs from PTI)

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