Actor Prakash Raj has defended Deepika Padukone and discussed the recent controversy around her attire in the song Besharam Rang from the upcoming movie Pathaan. He also responded when Shah Rukh Khan’s effigies were set on fire by demonstrators in Indore. Shah Rukh and Deepika Padukone romance in Spain in the film Besharam Rang.
Today, he took to Twitter and posted while sharing a news article and wrote, “#Besharam BIGOTS.. So it’s okay when Saffron clad men garland rapists..give hate speech, broker MLAs, a Saffron clad swamiji rapes Minors, But not a DRESS in a film ?? #justasking (sic).”
On Wednesday, activists from a group protested Pathaan and the Besharam Rang song in Indore by lighting Deepika and Shah Rukh’s effigies on fire. According to PTI, the Veer Shivaji Group requested that the movie be banned on the grounds that the song’s content has hurt members of the Hindu community.
Earlier, Deepika’s wardrobe in the song and the colour of her and Shah Rukh’s attire were criticised by Madhya Pradesh’s home minister, Narottam Mishra. While talking to the media, the minister had said, “The costumes in the song at first glance are objectionable. It is clearly visible that the song of the film Pathaan has been shot with a dirty mindset. I don’t think this is right, and I will tell the director and makers of the film to fix it.”
He further said, “Earlier also Deepika Padukone came in the support of Tukde Tukde Gang at JNU and that’s why her mentality has come in front of everyone before. And that is why I believe that the name of this song Besharam Rang is also objectionable in itself and the way saffron and green have been worn, the colours of the song, the lyrics and the title of the film are not peaceful. It needs improvement. If it is not done, then we will consider whether its telecast should be allowed in Madhya Pradesh. Now let’s see, so far all those who have been asked have improved. If it’s not done then we will consider.”
Besharam Rang is a song with lyrics by Kumaar and music by Vishal-Sheykhar. The upbeat song highlights Shah Rukh and Deepika’s sultry chemistry. Pathaan, directed by Siddharth Anand, is slated to open in theatres on January 25, 2023.