Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday lashed out at director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and asked if anyone dared to make a movie on Prophet Mohammed.
Speaking to the media in Bikaner, the Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises said, "Does anyone have the courage to portray the character of Prophet Muhammad in movies. (Kya himmat hai kisi ko ki Mohd. Saheb par film banake unka charitra dikhaye).
The Union Minister further cornered 'Padmaavat' director Bhansali by saying that he should have stopped making the movie when he started shooting it.
"When the shooting was taking place, why did not Sanjay Leela Bhansali stop the shooting when protests erupted," added the Union Minister.
The Minister said he would never forgive if someone makes a film on father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and shows him dancing.
"Gandhi ji par film bane aur unko kathak aur bhangra mein dikhaaye to main maaf nahi karunga. (If a film is made on Gandhi ji, and he is shown doing kathak or bhangra, I will never forgive)," he said.
Multiple states in the northern, western and central regions of the country have been witnessing protest against Padmaavat, which allegedly has misportrayed Rajput queen Padmavati.
After undergoing modifications and a legal battle, the film finally hit the theatres on January 25 and despite Supreme Court clearing the way for its release, its screenings continue to face the wrath of protesters, especially of Rajput Karni Sena.
--ANI