The makers of Padmavati have suffered a loss of Rs 4 crores, following the vandalism of the movie’s sets in Kolhapur earlier this week. A police complaint has been filed by executive producer Chetan Devalkar.
The group – consisting of 15-20 people – had hurled petrol bombs, according to a report in the Mid Day. The bombs were thrown at tents which housed valuable antiques, regal costumes, and vehicles. No injuries have been reported as the attack happened at 12:30 am in the morning when the team had wrapped up shoot. A large amount of animal feed was also on the sets – for elephants, camels and horses. A horse, which is said to have been a part of the director’s last movie, Bajirao Mastani, has been grievously injured.
MB Tambade, Kolhapur Superintendent of Police said, “We have registered an offence under Section 436 of IPC (mischief by fire or explosive with intent to damage house), rioting and arson.”
No group has come forward claiming responsibility for the attack but the Village Sarpanch of the Panchayat the shoot was happening in, was confident that there was no local involvement. “Many of them had found work, thanks to the film’s shoot,” Priyanka Mahadik reasoned.
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Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been unavailable for comment so far. The spokesperson for the production house, Bhansali Pictures, said: “The sets of Padmavati in Kolhapur witnessed an unfortunate incident, when certain miscreants set it on fire to damage property. A complaint has been filed, but we are grateful that there has been no loss of life or harm to anybody on set. Thankfully, the incident occurred after we had wrapped our shoot for the day and the cast and crew were safely away. Unfortunately, around 70 to 80 per cent of the costumes and jewellery for the movie were destroyed.”
Pic: ANI/Twitter