While watching Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama Padmaavat at a preview held for journalists ahead of its release, one can't help but feel sorry for Bhansali. For he has ended up making another mediocre high-budget historical episode which has given the CBFC, Supreme Court and several state governments their share of turmoil.
For starters, the meeting between Padmavati (Deepika Padukone) and Maharawal Ratan Singh (Shahid Kapoor), originally Ratan Sen in Sufi poet Awad Malik Muhammad Jayasi's Padmavat, happens during a hunting sequence in the film. The love affair starts without much drama and the marriage of the Rajput prince with his love was soon dramatised.
Though traditionally Rajputs are known to create special courtyards for such family functions, the Ghoomar sequence in which Deepika performs with much elan, had stirred up a hornet's nest. The fact that Rajput queens never danced before an audience remains the bone of contention. It doesn't matter if this is just a film or a piece of fiction.
Ratan Singh is picturised as an epitome of Rajput values and valour. Sultan Alauddin Khilji (Ranveer Singh), whose styling is perhaps inspired from the character of warlord Khal Drogo of Game of Thrones fame, displayed his talents in the role of the villain.
Khilji seeks to meet Padmavati on a Diwali visit to Chittorgarh, but Ratan Singh shows him to her behind a veil of smoke. An enraged Khilji, ploys to capture Ratan Singh and demands Padmavati, whose beauty drew Khilji like a moth to flame, for his release. On insistence of Ratan Singh's first wife, Padmavati is portrayed in the film to deploy an invasion-of-Troy-like ploy to release and escape with Ratan Singh. Signifying Rajput valour, soldiers of Ratan Singh have been depicted to be ready for slaughter to release their ruler.
By the end of the film, most viewers in the small preview hall, were yet unable to figure out why the Rajput in various states were against a film celebrating their valour and sacrifice—especially that of their women.
But perhaps the protests are because the entire story could be a folklore, and not based on historical facts. For instance, historians, and this film, point out that Alauddin Khilji was more drawn to his men and eunuch sex slaves.
Ghoomar and most of the songs are penned by Rajasthani folk artist Swaroop Khan, and composed by Bhansali. No wonder the traditionally fast-paced folk song has been transformed to a slower pace, similar to a ‘dandia’ song. VFX in the film is nothing extraordinary. For instance, one would probably expect a little more drama and fort defense come into play during the fall of the walls of Chittorgarh fort.
For those still interested in witnessing Deepika doing the 'ghoomar' in all finery and Ranveer Singh as a baddie, this is a must watch. If you are a Rajput youth who thinks the film is a blot on proud Rajput traditions, see what the film has to say. Otherwise, the film, in all likelihood, would receive a tepid response at the box office.
Film: Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Cast: Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, Aditi Rao Hydari, Anupriya Goenka
Rating: 2.5/5
