KOLKATA: The Chittorgarh fort as seen in the period film Padmaavat was recreated by two crowd-pulling Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata.
Both the Sribhumi Sporting Club and the Md Ali Park puja committees modelled their pandals on the famous fort of Rajasthan, but the idea behind it was different, officials of the two organisations said.
When anti-Padmaavat protesters threatened to stall the film's release all over the country in January, the film maker was assured of security by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the film had a smooth run across Bengal, Sribhumi Sporting Club president and MLA Sujit Bose said.
The Sanjay Leela Bhansali film created controversy during its making as well as before its release with several Rajput organisations claiming that the film distorted history. The film sets were damaged more than once and the director was assaulted.
"The theme was chosen to deliver the message that Bengal stands for tolerance and peace," Mr Bose said.
The setting of a song sequence in Padmaavat in the backdrop of the Chittorgarh fort was recreated at the Sribhumi pandal while lighting helped in creating the effect.
The puja was inaugurated by the chief minister before Mahalaya.
The Md Ali Park puja committee created a small replica of the entire Chittorgarh fort in its golden jubilee year.