Padmaavat

Much has been said about the film, Padmaavat, formerly known as “Padmavati”, produced and directed by Sanjay Leela Bansali.

The film starting from the day of its shooting till the day it got released and even during the post release had to face numerous controversies.

The story is based upon the immortal love between Ratan Singh, the Rajput ruler of Chittor Fort and Rani Padmavati, the beautiful princess of Singhal Kingdom and how she defended her honor against a Muslim invader sacrificing herself by leading Jauhar.

Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi was very obsessed with almost everything; be it power or even women. He won everything he asked for except one thing which is his biggest loss, to win the rights and get more than just a glimpse of Rani Padmavati.

The film starts with how Rani Padmavati met Ratan Singh during deer hunting and fell in love with each other. They married within a few days thus making Rani Padmavati the younger wife of Ratan Singh.

The priest who used to be the most trusted amongst the Rajputs came to be the most corrupted amongst men. He was caught sneaking when Ratan Singh and Padmavati were making love to each other.

He was thrown out of the kingdom and he joined the hands of Alauddin Khilji. He wanted to see the defeat of the Rajputs and thus he exaggerated the beauty of Rani Padmavati to Alauddin.

Alauddin’s obsession once again rose into action. He wanted to meet Rani Padmavati and make her one of his mistresses. The Rajput ruler declined the offer of partnering with Alauddin. So, he ordered his troops to march to Chittor and capture the fort.

But, they were unable to do so. So, he set up a camp outside the fort cutting the food supplies to the city. He then offered the Rajput leader to have a friendly discussion which they accepted under certain terms and conditions. The Sultan accepted every term as his main priority was not to meet the Rajput leader or take the throne of Chittor, but because he wanted to meet and take Rani Padmavati with him.

He was allowed to have a glimpse of her but sooner or later he realized that the only obstacle he has is the ruler of Chittor.

The story continued with the capturing of Ratan Singh and how Rani Padmavati rescued him from the hands of Alauddin Khilji and how Alauddin Khilji captured the fort of Chittor in anger and to express his obsession.

Rani Padmavati not only sacrificed her life from the evil hands of Alauddin Khilji but also defended the honor of a Rajput.

It’s true, no one could have played the role of Alauddin Khilji better than Ranveer Singh. In fact, the way Shahid Kapoor and Deepika Padukone played in the movie, it seemed that they had amalgamated with the characters.

The way the three portrayed the dominating character of “Alauddin Khilji”, the most respected and most honored leader amongst men and more precisely a rajput “Ratan Singh” and the bravest amongst women and also a rajput “Rani Padmavati” is unimaginable and proved that they were well directed and knew how to connect.

The movie has got a huge response thanks to the earlier promotion done by the They-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named (negative promotion is also a promotion).

Sanjay Leela Bansali has yet again kept the women society in an upper berth and have redefined the way we knew about history. Maybe, at least for one time, we are also obsessed in searching and knowing the actual truth of Rani Padmavati.

In my words, the movie teaches you a lot of things:

1. Never give up (let’s not get in to why, the postpone of the movie release date knows it better).
2. Women should be respected and never be underestimated.
3. Never put down your respect and always defend your honor no matter what.
4. It’s not always about being handsome or beautiful. It’s about how you portray it.

I wish all the success to the entire team of Padmaavat and request you, the people and the politicians to not take away the right to speech and express from a human being, most importantly when it comes to your own countrymen. Surya Shankar Roy