In Punjab twister, Rajput leaders watch Padmaavat, give it a big thumbs-up

After watching the movie, Rajput Mahasbha Punjab president Davinder Darshi said, “We had opposed this movie earlier, due to which movie makers had to make 300 cuts. We have watched the movie today and found now it has nothing objectionable against the Rajput community."

3 min readAmritsarUpdated: Jan 25, 2018 05:59 AM IST

Padmavat, Karni Sena, Rajput community, Padmavati protests, Punjab Rajputs, Rani padmini, Indian Express

The special screening on Wednesday in Pathankot, which has a sizeable Rajput population.

The Rajput Mahasabha in Punjab on Wednesday withdrew its opposition to Padmaavat after leaders from the community watched the movie at a special screening in Pathankot, which has a sizeable Rajput population. The screening was arranged by the district administration from 6 to 9 pm Wednesday at a local multiplex. Rajput Mahasabha, which is active in the district, had so far been opposing the movie’s release.

After watching the movie, Rajput Mahasbha Punjab president Davinder Darshi said, “We had opposed this movie earlier, due to which movie makers had to make 300 cuts. We have watched the movie today and found now it has nothing objectionable against the Rajput community. So now we are satisfied and we have no problem with the movie’s release. Around 30 leaders from our community watched the movie on the request of the administration and we have no objection to the movie now.”

According to Darshi, “Most of the Sikh and Hindu Rajput population in Punjab is concentrated in Pathankot, Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur districts”. “We are present in other districts too. Rajput Mahasbha, Punjab has its office bearers in all the districts of Punjab,” he said. Some local Congress leaders from the Rajput community also played role in bringing the Mahasabha to the screening.

Yogender Thakur Parshad, a local Congress party councillor from Pathankot, said, “Administration has won the trust of the community by showing the movie in advance. Now all the misconceptions about movie have come to an end. We will suggest that community members all over the country must watch the movie because it is in fact showing the Rajput community in a good light. There has been no tempering with history and Rani Padmavati’s character is shown in good light. Everybody should watch this movie.” While heavy security has been deployed outside movie theatres in Pathankot, SSP Pathankot Vishal Soni said there was no tension in the city.

“Movie will be shown in four theatres in Pathankot and I can assure you that there will be no trouble. No one has opposed the movie and we are not expecting any trouble. In fact, community leaders have appreciated the movie after watching it,” said Soni.

Amritsar police administration too assured people that they can watch Padmaavat without any fear. “There has been no such issue in Amritsar. We have not deployed any extra force, but our SHOs have been asked to keep vigil at the movie theatres,” said DCP Amrik Singh.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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