Padmaavat : Visually enchanting epic drama
Let it be fiction, let it be real, call it whatever you want, but Padmaavat is certainly an ode to Indian cinema. Before we get into the review, a big pat on the back to the dubbing artists and the film’s production team for having looked into retaining the authenticity even with Tamil verses and lyrics. Sincere effort indeed! To create such an artistic film, it definitely needs the craftsmanship of a good artist and Bhansali sure is the guy to do so. The 160 minute drama film surely tests your patience level, but the grandiose picturesque, enigmatic performances and many more snippets ensures a thorough experience by the end.
Deepika padukone is Rani Padmavati, a queen known to be the most beautiful in heart and body. She is like the Helen of troy as she invites love as well as lusty attractions from the villainous yet lethargic Alauddin Khilji essayed by Ranveer Singh. The honor of the Rajput clan is not something that we need to learn new from history, Shahid Kapoor as the king of Chitoor - Ratan Singh would rather lay his life down than put his honor to test, his calm demeanor is a delight; a reflection of our proud past. Rest of the characters - Aditi Rao, Jim Sarbh all do their roles with good performance. Padmaavat is a long drama that goes high on visualization by enthralling your cinematic experience, the testing factor of course is the length with almost 1hour 30 mins after which the interval block finally signals a relief.
A ruthless Alauddin Khilji looks to expand his kingdom beyond the reaches by whatsoever means possible. With treachery as his main skill, his entry into India with greed doesn’t stop as soon as he hears the ravishing beauty of the newly wed Rajput queen Padmavati. So he works his way out in trying to woo her by tricks, twists, war and treachery. So in the end does the lust of the gruesome Alauddin Khilji prevail over the honesty of Ratan Singh and the honor of the queen or does it unfold differently? If you had heard or read stories of Padmavati, the movie might be doing magic with your imagination. If not then do not spoil yourself in knowing the plot and experience it yourself.
You have to give it to Bhansali for setting up an enigmatic experience, the visualization in 3D is breathtaking; especially the top angle views will blow your mind away - Sudeep does it too well. Bhansali’s deep diving digging into the world of rajputs, in specific how honor, respect and pride was integral to Indian Hindu kings is commendable. Padmavati is built on these elements exactly, while Shahid Kapoor is calm, composed yet a brave king his exact opposite is Ranveer as the menacing and dubious sultan of the north. Much time has been spent on Ranveer’s character; even though we get a gist of what he is capable, somehow too much time is spent around him. But thankfully his psychotic performances does not shoo away our senses. Deepika as Rani Padmavati is soft spoken, she does not have as much dialogues as one would imagine, instead focusses more on giving silent ideas to her and to protect the lives of others. The high voltage action sequences including Ranveer-Shahid fight could have been choreographed lot better and seem rather underutilized considering both the actor’s efforts. VFX is brilliant, in synch with the film’s expectation. Music is orchestrated to the best levels, special mention to Goomar track.
In the end; India needs films like Padmaavat, we need directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali. History or not; we are done looking up to the west to see grandiose opulent big budget films. We have enough history in each state that can be done on large scale films like this and still be enjoyed by everyone to know and visualize our country's rich traditional heritage. Threatening and protests will only curb such artist's creativity. Hopefully we get to see more films like this without any issues.
Verdict : When lust meets honor; its always the good that prevails.
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