Why such 'blind' rage against Padmavati, asks Tollywood

Many from Bengal’s creative fraternity ask this after around 50 ‘protesters’ tore down and burnt the film’s posters at Navina Cinema on Sunday afternoon based on an assumption that the film distorts history. Here's what they had to say...What happened on Sunday at Navina is just unacceptable. How can we assume that the film has such and such a scene or premise without even watching it, and then go about objecting violently on that assumption? That’s ridiculous! My only request is to watch the film first, then react. A film can only be flayed after people watch it and find certain things objectionable. All this senseless violence and protest is intolerable, especially in a democratic country like oursOur city had proudly hosted several eminent filmmakers from around the world at the Kolkata International Film Festival just last week, and come Sunday, we end up feeling embarrassed at how a filmmaker’s creation is insulted. I really have nothing to say. How can there be so much intolerance over a film? We have the right to free speech and no one, rather, no political party, can take that away from us. But where are our so-called intellectuals; why aren’t they protesting?— SHIBOPROSAD MUKHERJEEWe all know creativity is the basis of social reforms, so people should have at least some respect for creative individuals and their work. Does that group of people who tore down and burnt Padmavati’s posters at Navina on Sunday even know the story of Queen Padmavati or what’s there in the film? Then what was the basis for the hooliganism — just speculation? How nonsensical is that? I guess we have to come together to curb this intolerance— CHURNI GANGULYSo much of intolerance and just on the basis of speculation? I guess any filmmaker will now think twice before making a historical film. A film can’t be bigger than history, but a director has the right to add elements of fiction to his creation, as cinema is surely bigger than life. Moreover, we haven’t even watched Padmavati yet and don’t know if the director has distorted history! There can be a debate about it, but this kind of hooliganism is unpardonable— ATANU GHOSHOur Constitution gives every citizen the right to freedom of expression and that can’t be curbed. We, the writers, filmmakers, painters and others, have creative liberty. I haven’t watched the film, so I don’t know what’s in it. But nor have those who are protesting, so why this hooliganism? What happened at Navina on Sunday is reprehensible. Shame on the perpetrators. You may not like a piece of art, but that doesn’t give you the right to demean it— SIRSHENDHU MUKHOPADHYAYSunday’s violence at Navina is condemnable. Without even watching the film, one can’t just protest, or rather, indulge in violence objecting to its content. Moreover, a filmmaker has creative rights, be it here or anywhere else in the world. Then again, there is a method to protesting; posterburning is just not done! This is just a case of bullying and it’s extremely unfortunate. Any creative person will feel threatened by such acts of senseless violence— SRIJIT MUKHERJIPeople have gone mad! We all knew West Bengal is a lenient state and culturally very sound. But what happened at Navina is unforgiveable. We should be ashamed of ourselves! Moreover, I’m surprised that the government is not taking any stern action against the culprits. Why is the film fraternity not coming together to decry this deplorable act? Let the film release first, watch it, and then object, if there’s anything worth objecting to. But before that, what’s this nonsense?— SWASTIKA MUKHERJEE