Padmaavat Review: Ranveer is the hero of Bhansali’s epic film

Padmaavat has all the ingredients of a typical Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, including its fair share of flaws. The film, based on a Sufi poem written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi, starts off in Afghanistan. The first scene has a well-built and intimidating Alauddin Khilji (Ranveer Singh) gifting a huge ostrich to Jalaluddin Khilji (Raza Murud), the founder and first ruler of the Khilji dynasty. Within a few minutes, we realise that it’s a plot laid to impress Jalal’s daughter Mehru (played by the stunning Aditi Rao Hydari), before dethroning her father and becoming the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. 

The narrative then cuts to the dense forests of Sri Lanka, where the beautiful queen of Singhal dynasty, Padmavati, locks eyes with the ruler of Mewar kingdom, Rawal Rathan Singh (Shahid Kapoor), during a deer hunt. The director wastes no time in establishing their relationship before the two get married. Meanwhile, the ruthless and self-obsessed Alauddin Khilji, comes to know about the beauty and the valour of Rani Padmavati, and desires to make her his own. What follows is betrayal, romance, battle sequences and in the end an extreme sacrifice by all the women of the Rajput clan headed by Padmavati.

Padmaavat, like Bhansali’s earlier films, is a visual delight and doesn’t fail to impress in this area. Every frame is captivating and the 3D effect adds to the intricately crafted jewellery, glittery chandeliers, candle-lit frames, breathtaking sets and stunning costumes.

Bhansali’s female characters in particular look nothing short of a carefully crafted painting. This is arguably Deepika Padukone’s most beautiful on-screen avatar.

She perfectly fits the role of the queen. The actress also proves how she’s grown as a performer as she lets her eyes do the talking, especially in the scene where she rushes out to set her husband free from Alauddin Khilji’s prison.

She also raises the bar in the climax sequences.

Meanwhile, Shahid Kapoor, a new entrant to the Bhansali family, makes Rawal Rathan Singh immensely likeable. His body language be it as a noble ruler, warrior or that of a passionate lover is on point. On the other hand, Aditi, and Jim Sarbh who plays one of Ranveer’s slaves and shares a sexual chemistry with Khilji, are perfect in their respective roles.

However, it is the film’s antagonist, Alauddin Khilji played by the supremely talented Ranveer Singh, who is the true star of the film. Bhansali gives Ranveer one of the most well-written characters among all his films. Ranveer on his part, has played the despicable and menacing Khilji so well that it’s hard to imagine any other actor in this role. In fact, he enjoys more screen space than the film’s titular character.

But, the film, that runs for nearly three hours, has you constantly checking your watch and testing your patience. The film also becomes predictable at the half-way mark. The battle scenes, which could’ve helped the film’s pace, seem a little rushed. While Sanchit Balhara’s BGM tugs at your heart strings, the songs, although beautifully picturised, are poorly placed.

However, despite its flaws, Bhansali’s film is worth a watch for all the earnest efforts. And last but certainly not the least, the film, as opposed to the claims of fringe outfits, is nowhere close to being an attempt to demigrate Rajput pride. Rather, it’s a celebration of Rajput culture, its women, and of course, the glorification of its retrograde practices (like Sati).

Cast: Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Aditi Rao Hydari, Jim Sarbh, Raza Murud, Anupriya Goenka Written & Directed by: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Music: Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Sanchit Balhara

Synopsis: Set in the 13th century, a masochist ruler of Sultaan, Alaudding Khilji, gets obsessed with the beauty of Rani Padmavati, the Queen of Rajput, and decides to wage war against the Mewar kingdom, to capture her. However, Padmawati .