Violent protests erupt in India against Bollywood epic 'Padmaavat'

Demonstrators stop a train from moving during a protest against "Padmaavat" in Uttar Pradesh state on January 24. The film tells the story of a semi-mythical Hindu queen Padmini of the Rajput warrior caste. But protesters say it falsely depicts a romance between the queen and 14th century Muslim ruler Alauddin Khilji. Producers deny this and insist they have portrayed her respectfully in the film.

The film, due for release on Thursday, has opened for advance bookings elsewhere in India, but theaters in some northern Indian states have yet to list it for fear of violent protests. Several hardliners have even offered bounties of up to 50 million rupees ($769,000, €620,240) to anyone who "beheaded" lead actress Deepika Padukone or the film's director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

A Rajput group dubbed Karni Sena attacked Bhansali and vandalized a set during filming in the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan in January. Another set was also vandalized in March, with costumes and props set alight.

Protesters also burned effigies of both Bhansali and Padukone on the streets, prompting police to assign security detail to both the director and the Bollywood star.

The movie stars Shahid Kapoor (shown in the picture) as Maharawal Ratan Singh, the husband of Padmavati, and Ranveer Singh as Khilji who leads an invasion to try to capture the queen. The film's makers say the movie is based on a work of fiction by a 16th-century Sufi poet.

While some states in India had initially imposed a ban on the release of the film, the Supreme Court last week overturned it, saying it violated creative freedoms. The court also directed the government to ensure law and order is maintained. India's film censor board had cleared the movie for release subject to certain changes, but at least four states said they would ban its screening.

Despite the court's ruling, protesters objected to the film's release in several states and targeted cinemas and malls in some cities. Police have increased security around cinemas across the country, rounding up Hindu hardliners.

A group of women belonging to the Rajput caste also threatened to self-immolate themselves if the film was released. The movie has been criticized not just by hardline Hindu fringe groups, but also by some in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party.