My writings on Shivaji for masses are perfect: Purandare

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The MNS led by Raj Thackeray had however Tuesday warned those opposed to Purandare, saying his party would retaliate if the writer was attacked.

During his 50-minute speech, Purandare said, “Bringing Shivaji to the people was through relentless research carried over several decades to ensure that the final product was flawless.”

Purandare silenced his critics as he said, “When one writes as a historian, it is confined to research. But one undertakes lalit lekhan (contemporary writing) to bring historical works to the masses. I had to double my efforts to perfect the script. The work on Shivaji is factually correct.”

He added, “If I get another four to five years of good health, I will bring out several unexplored aspects of Shivaji for the masses.”

Fadnavis said those questioning Purandare had not understood Chhatrapati Shivaji.  “If Shivaji were alive today, those (political rivals) who are creating a caste-community divide would have faced stringent punishment.

Today, we all know Shivaji as a great warrior king.” Calling the warrior king a “management guru”, he urged professionals to come forward and produce movies and serials on the unexplored administration of Shivaji.

The decision to hold the function at the Durbar Hall was in keeping with the tradition of the Rashtrapati Bhawan — the venue for presenting some of the nation’s highest awards, he said.

Earlier, Cultural Minister Vinod Tawde dismissed the controversy as baseless.

He said, “Purandare’s selection was done through a committee comprising prominent persons and then given the nod by the CM.”

Purandare donates Rs 25 lakh for cancer patients

Babasaheb Purandare Wednesday said he would keep just ten paise out of the Rs 10-lakh award money. He said he would add another Rs 15 lakh from his own earnings and donate Rs 25 lakh for the treatment of poor cancer patients.