The Shri Rajput Karni Sena in Mumbai has appealed to people to lay siege on theatres across the country to stop the screening of Padmaavat. The call from the outfit came just a day after the Supreme Court ruled that a ban on the film’s release by four states is illegal and directed state governments to provide security to cinema halls.

Lokendra Singh Kalvi, Karni Sena chief, appealed to Rajput groups, social organisations, who have been opposing the film, and the public to not go to cinema halls. “If violence is the way to go, I am ready to take the blame.”

“The Karni Sena is being held responsible for the recent Muzaffarpur incident where a cinema hall was vandalised. I have no problem if the violence is traced to us. The agenda is to ban the release,” he said.

Mr. Kalvi also said that on December 1, when the release date was carried forward, the Karni Sena had decided to call for a nationwide bandh, but since January 26 is Republic Day, they had decided against it.

“Sanjay Leela Bhansali makes films that divide communities. He profits from our emotions and anger. He has distorted history and doesn’t know what he’s making. Our protest is against the whole film and the way it has been made,” he claimed. Kalvi also said that the Karni Sena would not tolerate any scenes depicting intimacy between Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji in the film.

The film, initially titled Padmavati, was slated to release on December 1 last year but was put off due to protests and threats of violence against Bhansali and the cast of Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapur and Ranveer Singh. It was granted certification and cleared for release by the Central Board of Film Certification on January 25