Exposed: Karni Sena thugs holding Padmavati hostage

As filmmakers unveiled Shahid Kapoor's first look from Padmavati on Monday, an India Today investigation unmasked the real villains that tried to hold the Chittor queen hostage.

Karni Sena activists have been protesting the portrayal of Rani Padmini in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama, due for release on December 1.

They vandalised the film's shoot and attacked Bhansali in Jaipur in January. In a second assault, goons torched Padmavati's sets in Kolhapur a few months later.

As the vicious vigilantism tried to enforce its writ on art and entertainment, India Today's investigation found out many of the anti-Padmavati attacks were driven by anything but honour.