Pinga Controversy: Bajirao's descendant hits out at Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Since Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming movie Bajirao Mastani's song Pinga was released, there have been varied reactions. While some have praised the dance sequence performed by Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, some have slammed it. Now, Mohini Karkarey, who is a descendant of the Peshwas, has written an open letter to director Bhansali where she has hit out at him. In the letter she has claimed that Kashibai could not have danced because she was suffering from arthritis. Karkarey has also claimed that Mastani was not a courtesan, but the daughter of Raja Chatrasaal of Bundelkhand.

Read the full letter here: 

Mr Bhansali,

The time has now come to speak out, to speak out against the picturisation in the song and certain scenes from your movie, Bajirao Mastani. The latest song Pinga and the dance sequence which you have promoted have a lot of undesirable elements.

This is not fiction, Mr Bhansali. You have portrayed real people who have been recorded in history. The Peshwas ruled for more than 100 years. Did you do any research at all? Did you, for instance, understand the life and times of people in the 1700s? Do you know and understand their behavioural pattern?

Here are a few recorded facts for your perusal:

Fact 1: Kashibai Saheb was suffering from tuberculosis and had arthritis. Due to this she had a limp.

Fact 2: Kashibai would never get into a dance routine even if she was healthy because that was not in the culture.

Fact 3: The costumes shown in the song Pinga were never worn by royal families or even normal women. The way the nauvari was draped did not show even an ounce of skin.

Fact 4: Kashibai and Mastani met only once in their lifetime and that too formally.

Fact 5:  Kashibai was the daughter of Mahadji Krishna Joshi from Chaas and was known as Chaskar Joshi. Her descendants are still alive.

Fact 6: Mastani was not a courtesan or dancer. She was the daughter of Raja Chatrasaal of Bundelkhand. She was married to Bajirao and was his second wife. Mastani's descendants, the Nawabs of Banda, will give you enough proof of this.

Proof of all the facts is available on Peshwe Gharanyacha Itihas by Mr Pramod Oak and you will find plenty more proof here in Peshwe Daptar.

Bajirao was a great warrior second only to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. With this so called love story you have made a mockery of him. You have insulted the very essence of Maharashtrian families. This will definitely create a flawed image about such a great personality and his family.

Yours sincerely,

Mohini Karkarey

Mohini Karkarey is a descendant of the Peshwas and is a home-maker and a blogger. Her blog 'Footfalls into the Maratha Era' is a peek into the life, times and people who lived in the Peshwa Era, and Pune's forgotten heritage. You can read here blog here.