Movie: Padmaavat
Starring : Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh
Director : Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Producer : Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Sudhanshu Vats, Ajit Andhare
Music Director : Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Sanchit Balhara
Release Date: 25th January 2018
Rate: 3/5
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s periodic drama Padmaavat is gearing up for grand release on 25th January. Padmaavat is based on the 16th century poem Padmavat by Malik Muhammad Jayasi. Bhansali has added his own flair and interpretation to ‘Padmaavat’, giving it a fairy-tale sheen. Yet, a day ahead of the film’s release, protests and violence against the screening of the film continue to take place in many cities. We had been to a special screening and bring you the review in advance.
Storyline: The power-hungry Turkish-Afghan ruler, Allauddin Khilji (Ranveer Singh) invades India and becomes the ruler of the Delhi empire. After taking over the Delhi sultanate, Allauddin Khilji is told by a priest Raghav Chetan that if he wishes to be the true Sultan of Hind, he needs to have Padmavati (Deepika Padukone) by his side and rule the Rajputs. Soon after this, Khilji is almost possessed by the idea of Padmavati and he decided to lay a siege on the Chittor Fort in Rajasthan. But to win her over, he needs to dethrone her husband Maharawal Ratan Singh (Shahid Kapoor). How will Allauddin Khilji do this? What problems does he face?
Plus Points:
- Performance
- Cinematography
- Climax
- BGM
Minus Points:
- First half little bit dragged
- Music
- Illogical scenes
Performance: Ranveer Singh breathes life into the character of the barbaric, power-drunk Alauddin Khilji, giving us a villain for the ages. He steals the show with his fantastic performances. Sporting unkempt waist-length hair, kohl in piercing eyes, facial scars, and s*x-appeal and swagger of a badboy rockstar, he’s both fascinating and repulsive at once. His way of dialogue delivery makes him an ever-ideal fit for Alauddin Khilji. Deepika Padukone is an epitome of grace and she delivers a knockout performance as a Rani Padmini yet again. Her portrayal of Padmavati is all things ethereal and keen. Shahid Kapoor as the ruler of Mewar- Ratan Singh also justifies with his role. With kohl-ed eyes and an impressive build, he looks good. Aditi Rao Hydari as Mehrunisa, wife of Alauddin Khilji delivers her best. Rests of the cast perform accordingly.
Technical: Screenplay is well written that keeps the audiences glued onto the screen. Padmaavat is technically brilliant and the credit should go to the art direction department. Cinematography by Sudeep Chatterjee is terrific. Bhansali applies the ‘lavish’ approach to staging the controversial jauhar scene in the climax. The way the director narrates the proceedings with riveting drama and mind-blowing performances prove what a master craftsman he is. The music is impressive and it elevate the sequences. The production values are rich. The costume designer has done decent job. Editing is good.
Analysis: To sum it all, Padmaavat has its pluses in the form of technical prowess and performances. Stunning visuals, background music, Cinematography work, performance of its cast, powerful climax, war episode between Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh are the major assets of the movie. The film belongs to Ranveer Singh whose delicious performance is its biggest strength. The interval bang is terrific and creates a suspense factor as well. A lot of fiction has been added to this periodic movie and many scenes might look illogical at times. Those who feel that the film will have more war scenes and amazing fights will be quite disappointed as Padmaavat is a hard-hitting historical drama.