Mumbai: Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali was slapped with an open letter over the song titled “Pinga” by the descendant of Bajirao, Peshwa ruler. Recently, the makers of the “Bajirao Mastani” launched the song “Pinga”. The audience received it well but it didn’t go well with few sections of the Maharashtrians.
The song features Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone dancing to the tunes. The song revolves around Priyanka Chopra as Kashibai welcoming Mastani (Deepika Padukone) into the house.
Mohini Karkarey, who is a descendant of the Peshwas, wrote an open letter to the director and claimed that Mastani was not a courtesan, but the daughter of Raja Chatrasaal of Bundelkhan. Karkarey also added that Kashibai could not have danced because she was suffering from arthritis.
Read the letter here:
Mr Bhansali,
The time has now come to speak out, to speak out against the picturisation in the song and certain scenes from your movie, Bajirao Mastani. The latest song Pinga and the dance sequence which you have promoted have a lot of undesirable elements.
This is not fiction, Mr Bhansali. You have portrayed real people who have been recorded in history. The Peshwas ruled for more than 100 years. Did you do any research at all? Did you, for instance, understand the life and times of people in the 1700s? Do you know and understand their behavioural pattern?
Here are a few recorded facts for your perusal:
Fact 1: Kashibai Saheb was suffering from tuberculosis and had arthritis. Due to this she had a limp.
Fact 2: Kashibai would never get into a dance routine even if she was healthy because that was not in the culture.
Fact 3: The costumes shown in the song Pinga were never worn by royal families or even normal women. The way the nauvari was draped did not show even an ounce of skin.
Fact 4: Kashibai and Mastani met only once in their lifetime and that too formally.
Fact 5: Kashibai was the daughter of Mahadji Krishna Joshi from Chaas and was known as Chaskar Joshi. Her descendants are still alive.
Fact 6: Mastani was not a courtesan or dancer. She was the daughter of Raja Chatrasaal of Bundelkhand. She was married to Bajirao and was his second wife. Mastani’s descendants, the Nawabs of Banda, will give you enough proof of this.
Proof of all the facts is available on Peshwe Gharanyacha Itihas by Mr Pramod Oak and you will find plenty more proof here in Peshwe Daptar.
Bajirao was a great warrior second only to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. With this so called love story you have made a mockery of him. You have insulted the very essence of Maharashtrian families. This will definitely create a flawed image about such a great personality and his family.
Yours sincerely,
Mohini Karkarey
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is directing the period drama “Bajirao Mastani”. Known for its star cast, the film features Ranveer Singh as Maratha legend Baji Rao 1 and Priyanka Chorpa as his first wife Kashibai. Actress Deepika Padukone will be seen playing the role of his second wife “Mastani. The film is set to hit silver screens on December 18, 2015.
