'Deepika bachao' led by one who character assassinated me: Kangana wary of support

Mumbai: While very few celebrities from the film industry openly supported ‘Padmavati’ amid the protests against it, most of them unanimously came forward and condemned the gross death threats against Deepika Padukone and the director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

According to reports, Shabana Azmi, who has been vocal against the fringe groups protesting against ‘Padmavati’, even slamming the government in between, along with Member of Parliament Jaya Bachchan, were planning to raise the matter with the powers that be in Delhi by signing a petition consisting of signatures from leading Bollywood actresses to ask for Deepika's safety.

On Monday, reports surfaced that Kangana Ranaut had refused to sign the petition claiming that she didn't feel she should back the initiative as she felt let down by the lack of support in her row with Hrithik Roshan.

The actress has finally revealed the reason for her refusal, and claims to have a problem with Shabana's 'left wing versus right wing politics.' She also hints at the veteran actress ‘character assassinating’ her as her reason to be wary about signing the petition.

“I was filming 'Manikarnika' in Jodhpur when I got a call from dear friend Anushka Sharma to sign the petition written by Ms Shabana Azmi. I explained to her that Deepika Padukone has all my support but I am a bit wary of Shabana Azmi’s investment in left wing Vs right wing politics. I have my own set of ideas and opinions about the current situation in our country. I am on the fence about many things and being a part of a feminist movement called ‘Deepika bachao’ led by someone who character assassinated me when I was bullied by influential men, seems to be one of them. Anushka understood but I am glad they reached out to me, like I said Deepika has all my support I am an individual perfectly capable of supporting who I like without anyone’s support,” Kangana was quoted as saying by entertainment portal Bollywood Life.

Kangana could perhaps be referring to Shabana lending her support to Hrithik Roshan in their infamous row, by tweeting his interview with Arnab Goswami.

Shabana’s stepson, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, had also written an open letter in support of his friend Hrithik in their row.