MUMBAI: The shooting of Deepika Padukone-starrer “Padmavati” had to be indefinitely suspended after unidentified people vandalised and burnt the sets of the film at Mhasai plateau near Kolhapur on Wednesday.
The incident, which is believed to have happened between 1 am and 2 am on Wednesday morning, came to light when the crew reached the spot. The fire damaged two pandals-one where the horses were kept along with the costume store room. The shooting for the film has been in progress since March 6 and was scheduled to be completed by March 20.
The police are investigating the matter, though no arrests have been made so far, minister of state for Home affairs, Deepak Kesarkar, told the New Indian Express.
“We have asked the producers to lodge a formal complaint in the case. The state government has also decided to provide police protection to the crew members and the location of shooting during the night as well. They are currently being provided protection during the day,” Kesarkar added.
At least 40 to 50 people armed with sticks and stones attacked the sets and damaged the cars parked around the location near Panhala Fort. The attackers also hurled petrol bombs at the set, according to the police. Most of the costumes for the extras have been reduced to ashes in the arson, said Rimple Narula, costume designer for the film. The miscreants had also hurled petrol bombs at the fodder kept for horses.