Veteran actress Shabana Azmi on Saturday urged the Indian film industry to boycott the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa to protest against the threats to actress Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali on their upcoming film Padmavati.
"The entire film industry should boycott IFFI in protest against the threats to Deepika Padukone, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Padmavati," Shabana said in a tweet.
In a series of other posts on Twitter, Shabana lashed out at the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which has reportedly sent back the film's application, allegedly citing it to be incomplete.
She wrote: "Padmavati application to CBFC has been sent back because of incomplete formalities! Really? Or to keep fires stoked for electoral gains?"
"Sabki dukaan chal rahi hai (Everybody is gaining) under the patronage not of the fringe but of the government in power. Film industry must stand as one with Padmavati.
Later on, Shabana accused the film fraternity of remaining quiet on the Padmavati row.
"Smriti Irani is preparing IFFI that's possible only because the Indian film industry brings such acclaim to it, but keeps quiet about Padmavati," she wrote.
"This is exactly like H.K.L Bhagat and Congress celebrating IFFI in Delhi after the murder of Safdar Hashmi in 1989. Cultural annihilation", she wrote.
Padmavati is Bhansali's professed tribute to the valour and sacrifice of Rajput queen Rani Padmavati. Various Rajput organisations have demanded that the movie's release be stalled.