‘Padmavati’ ban, a boon to Rajasthan tourism
Web Desk
Deepika Padukone in Padmavati. Picture Courtesy: India.com
The ban on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama ‘Padmavati’ (now ‘Padmavat’) in Rajasthan turns out to be a boon for the tourism in the state. The film that showcases the valour of Rani Padmavati, Maharawal Ratan Singh and the famed Rajput ethos of honour, bravery and sacrifice, has faced the ire of organisations like Karni Sena the Kshatriya Mahasabha. The Mewar region of the state, home to the fabled queen Padmini, has been witness to a phenomenal rise in tourist numbers in December 2017.
Chittorgarh Fort. Photo Courtesy: Tourism Rajasthan
A large number of tourists from across India have been flocking to the significant cities of the region, which include Udaipur and Chittorgarh, last month and in the first week of January, ever since the controversy erupted over the movie, which was slated to be released on December 1, 2017.
Rani Padmini Mahal. Photo Courtesy: Tourism Rajasthan
Around 81,009 tourists visited the place in December 2017, almost double considering the number of tourists in the previous year. Chittorgarh Fort is where Padmini is said to have performed ‘jauhar’ (self-immolation) after her husband’s defeat at the hands of Alauddin Khilji, ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. Tourists are fond of seeing such places which are of critical importance and got a reference in the film. They are also keen to see the place where queen performed jauhar with around 16,000 women after her husband’s defeat.