So you want to behead an actor or a director because they have made a film? And who gave you this right to issue a fatwa? As long as I know we are tolerant race proud of our culture and steeped in tradition.

Have you seen the film? How come you are so outraged at something that you “think” will be against our culture. And who are you guys to decide the morals of this country? Who are you to decide that the fabric of this country is being ravaged? 

What are the law makers doing? Is this how art is going to be treated? Imagine if we made a hue and cry about films like Mughal-e-Azam, saying it was not a true story and a travesty of history. Why shouldn’t a filmmaker be allowed creative licence when he isn’t hurting anyone’s sensibility. Who are you to say that our traditions and culture is in danger of being hurt and uprooted.

Padmavati be it fact or fiction deserves to be seen. If anything else, protect your sisters and mothers. Everyday there are cases of violence and misogyny against women in the states which are protesting against a ban on the film. Preserving our culture would mean protecting your womenfolk. Let’s pledge to make our country a safe place for women and children.

A film will never shake our moral fabric. Our moth eaten mindsets will. We need to rise up to the challenge against ignorance, intolerance and misleading people. Help us clean our beaches, help us educate our children. Help us to remove poverty and misery. Banning a film should be the least of our worries. Don’t bully filmmakers because they are soft targets. Don’t suffocate art with feudal theories. 

Lead us into the light. Give us back our movies. Movies heal and help to make the world a better brighter place. There’s no threat to Indian culture, but with this Orwellian nightmare, our movies are definitely under threat.