https://www
youtube
com/watch?v=8YaF2m7hCx0 Yet, with the almost divine status enjoyed by Rani Padmini in certain communities, a magnum opus depicting her tale could have always been sure of garnering a lot of attention, both desirable and undesirable
Bruised and battered, its release was delayed by more than a month, but eventually this beleaguered film had its tryst with movie theatres across the world
Moving beyond the context setting and the controversy, let us explore the merits of the film from the viewer’s perspective
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, especially when he does period films, specialises in creating a spectacle of grandeur, majesty, and opulent fashion, and Padmaavat does not disappoint in that department
It is a visual treat
The sets, the costumes, and the make-up that evoke a bygone era are all simply magical to witness
It make one wonder if royalty in that period actually enjoyed such levels of magnificence as displayed in the film
The lead actors have done a tremendous job at making us believe they really are who they play
Deepika Padukone exudes the exquisite intensity that is expected from a legendary Rajput queen, whose beauty could launch a thousand wars, and perhaps even naval operations had Rajasthan been a maritime state! She is simply a spectacle to behold, and unfortunately, her character is missing for long stretches of the movie, leaving you wanting more
Ranveer Singh never ceases to amaze with his passion
He plays the role of Alauddin Khilji, the marauding sultan who was so smitten by Padmavati’s beauty that he prosecuted a ruthless war against her husband’s kingdom in order to possess her
His character’s transformation from a young sinewy lad to a brawny brute of an invader over the course of the film stood out as a testament to his commitment to be what is demanded of the character
He is menacing, lustful and brutal
He completely succeeds in making you want to hate him for his villainy, which is quite a departure from the usually effervescent and endearing characters he plays
It is his film through and through
Shahid Kapoor does a good job as the besieged Rajput king, waging a lonely battle to protect his territory
However, he is outshined by Singh’s larger than life presence and doesn’t quite measure up to Padukone’s statuesque persona
The chemistry between husband and wife is more reflective of the properties displayed by a group of inert gases; there is a quiet passion and zero volatility
Perhaps that is why Bhansali chose to cast him as the eventually vanquished king; he is proud and principled, but ultimately possessing limited prowess that destines him for defeat in the face of a formidable adversary
Aditi Rao Hydari has a small role as Khilji’s wife, but she is impactful in it
Jim Sarbh plays Khilji’s slave, Malik Kafur, and the film fleetingly depicts some homoerotic undertones between the two
So Bhansali gets the characters right
He also succeeds in conjuring intricately choreographed grandeur that dazzles
The minutest details are captured to perfection
These are the film’s strengths
There are, however, a couple of areas where the film is found wanting
For one, it is long
At two hours and 44 minutes, it drags in parts and can test the patience of those who will not be captivated merely by mesmerising visuals
In terms of the story, since it is based on a historical poem, there isn’t much leeway for creating suspense
Anyone who is even peripherally acquainted with Indian history would know how the story is going to end
It is ultimately a costume dance-drama, recounting the simple story of a strange love triangle, albeit presented as an epic in the complex and tragic setting of a tumultuous time in history
The movie is a beautifully executed visual delight
Therefore, along with immaculate attention to detail and breathtaking texture, it is also soul stirring in many ways
The most heart-rending is the climax, where the women of the vanquished kingdom commit jauhar (a Hindu custom of mass self-immolation), choosing death over being ravished by the conquerors
On this line of thought, we must digress for a moment and go back to examine the larger socio-political significance of Padmaavat
Yes, the act is anachronistic and patriarchal in this day and age, but in the context of those brutal times, it’s not a choice that can be casually dismissed by applying contemporary paradigms
In those times, that was the Rajput women’s way of contributing to the war effort by denying the enemy the gratification of post-conquest loot
Bhansali had a choice in this film
He could have imparted a contemporary flavor by including a strong message on patriarchy and women’s empowerment
Or he could have remained true to the original story and shown things as they were in those times
He chose the latter, probably to preserve the integrity of the overall narrative, despite the artistic license he undoubtedly exercised in several other areas
This brings us to a crucial question
Should this movie have ever even been made? It’s a story that has antagonised people at the opposite ends of the political spectrum
To the liberals, it eulogises patriarchy and the horrific practice of sati or jauhar that reinforce the secondary status of women
Some also argue that the portrayal of Khilji and his ruthless lust demonises Muslims as a whole
On the other extreme, the celluloid rendering of their queen goddess has incensed some fringe elements
They claim that watching her dance is an affront to their pride and honour, though one suspects that the retelling of one of their most traumatic failures to defend themselves would have rankled as well
Nothing fuels indignation more than insecurity
The question arises, does modern India really need to be told stories that reopen old wounds, deepen its existing fissures, and superimpose the values of a different era? Isn’t it best to keep these demons of history buried? In a free society, this decision should rightfully be left with those who choose to make cinema or create any other form of art
The audiences should have the maturity to see it as a work of art and exercise their right to partake in it, or not, as per their inclination and convictions
And if people can learn their lessons from watching the mistakes made in history, even better for society
Those who don’t learn from history are condemned to repeat it
Fortunately, most people in India are solidly in the middle and have been supportive of this freedom of artistic expression
With that said, Padmaavat is a must watch spectacle
For everything the movie is, for the memorable acting, for the grand scale it dares to explore, for the emotions it stirs, and most of all, for the struggle it endured, it gets a wholehearted recommendation
All photos: Screenshots
| Date: | 30-Jan-2018 | Reference: | View Original Link |
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