Even though the industry has come out in support of Padmavati amidst the ongoing controversy, it is filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali who has attracted immense wrath from certain groups. Cast member Shahid Kapoor tells mid-day that Bhansali has safeguarded his leading actors against the furor over the release of the film. "He is at the forefront [of the controversy]. It has been tough for Bhansali. He is the one who has to primarily deal with the controversy, because the film is his interpretation [of history]. Even though we [cast members Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and he] are the faces of the film, Bhansali's vision is being questioned."

Shahid Kapoor