Rajasthan warrior community continues protests against 'Jodhaa Akbar'

Mumbai, Feb 22: Warrior community protests against the Bollywood biopic 'Jodhaa Akbar', suggesting an Mughal-era romance between the Emperor Akbar and Rajasthani princess Jodhaa.

A group calling itself the 'Rajasthan Vikas Parishad' staged a demonstration outside a cinema theatre here on Thursday.

Slogans and black banners marked the event.

"We oppose the way facts have been distorted in the film. The entire Rajasthan community opposes these distortions," said Raj K. Purohit, one of the protestors.

Prakash Shishupal, a police inspector said: "They protested against the screening of 'Jodhaa Akbar'. We have arrested many of the protesters. As per Mumbai laws, we will investigate the matter and take further action."

The Ashutosh Gowarikar directed movie was released on February 15.he release of the film was stalled across several North India states, including Rajasthan.

According to representatives of the warrior community, Jodhaa was the daughter of Udai Singh of Marwar and was married to Salim, Akbar's son. The film, however, shows Jodhaa as Akbar's wife.

Gowarikar claims he has the backing of historians and the royal family of Jodhpur.

The marriage of Emperor Akbar with the Hindu princess Hira Kunwari has fascinated India for 450 years, and the makers of 'Jodhaa-Akbar' say they want to show how the couple broke cultural and religious barriers.

The film features Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai.

Thirty-nine-year-old Gowarikar has said he agreed to do the film when he realised there was little in history about the Akbar and Jodhaa relationship.


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