MUMBAI – Protesters burnt tyres and vandalised shops to oppose the releaseof Bollywood film “Padmaavat”, which was enjoyed by a large number ofpeople in cinemas.

Groups critical of the film have accused its director, Sanjay LeelaBhansali, of distorting history by portraying a Muslim ruler as the “lover”of the Hindu Queen Padmavati of the Rajput warrior clan. The filmmakersdeny the accusation.

In Raipur, capital of the central state of Chhattisgarh, the leader ofanother Rajput group, the Sarwa Kshatriya Mahasabha, was among 30 peoplepolice arrested on Wednesday, some of whom had protested outside a cinema.They were later released.

Police said they had made arrangements to ensure protests remained peaceful.

“We have foolproof deployments in all the places,” Amresh Mishra, asuperintendent of police in Raipur, told Reuters. “We feel the screeningwill pass off peacefully.”

Television showed images of children cowering in fear on the floor of aschoolbus targeted by protesters in Gurugram, about 30 km (19 miles) fromNew Delhi, on Wednesday.

The lavishly-produced “Padmaavat”, a 163-minute film, centers on a Muslimruler, Alauddin Khilji, and his battle with the Rajput king of Chittor,over the king’s wife, Rani Padmavati.

The film-makers have repeatedly said the film takes its inspiration from anepic poem of the same name, but their assurances have failed to assuage theKarni Sena group.

Supreme Court last week cleared the way for the film’s release and hasblocked state governments from imposing bans on it. AGENCIES