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Padmaavat Film Review By Manya Malhotra

Padmaavat 


3.5
Drama
Cast: Deepika Padukone , Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor , Jim Sarbh , Aditi Rao Hydari
Director : Sanjay Leela Bhansali 
Story: Alauddin Khilji's obsession with the queen of Chittor , Maharani Padmaavati paves way for war, destruction and desperation.
Review: After the most elaborate disclaimer at the start of the movie , clarifying everything the film does not support  , the magnum opus that has been the talk of the town for so long finally unfolds. I have never really admired the  "Sanjay Leela Bhansaliness" of movies where he often mistakes exaggeration and overdoing things for a so called "magical effect". Padmaavat is no exception to Bhansali's trademark style of storytelling. That being said , this film could not have been visually grander. Everything from the costumes to the make up to the sets to the stunning stunning jewellery and every attention to detail is spot on. The grimy dark sequences , the chilling music , the blazing intensity of the characters is something only a director so passionate about his craft could have delivered. A lot of blood ,sweat and  controversy has gone into making this film. However , it is not flawless though it is engrossing in the starting it loses your attention in many places .The monotonous dialogue of " Rajput yeh nahin karte Rajput woh nahin karte" is just too repetitive. These people are ready to visit their enemies unarmed and hurt themselves but no one should dare to hurt their ego. The story of the film also has a few drawbacks, which I won't go into to keep this blog spoiler free! The stellar performances in the film never let you down . Somehow Deepika Padukone always gets to play the role of the second wife who becomes the cause of misery and jealousy for the first wife of the king. That being set aside , Deepika is terrific in this film, she has that regal look and steady voice which makes her appear a true Rajput queen. She is beautifully strong.  Ranveer Singh is barbaric, vicious , preposterous, filthy , cruel , cunning and a lot more. He manages to get every single characteristic right and completely blows you away as the ruler who is willing to go to any length to get the " nayaab" things he desires.There is a malhari ( from Bajirao Mastani) type song in this film as well but Ranveer Singh's lunacy has increased many folds. Shahid Kapoor is charming and unbelievably spontaneous as the Rajput king. His gait , dialogue delivery , facial expressions are all so brilliant . Aditi Rao Hydari and Neerja fame Jim Sarbh  are here too. The latter has quite an interesting role. After it's 2 hours and 40 minute long (Very long) run time I still couldn't figure out what the whole issue with the film was, if anything, everyone was  protecting the honour of their queen throughout. There was nothing derogatory or offensive at all. This film deserves to be seen due to its level of grandeur, larger than life sequences and pure pure passion. 

Comments

Unknown said…
Don't think I will pay the movie a visit after reading about Ranveer's character 😜
Though very well written and excellent use of vocabulary !
26 January 2018 at 19:48
Shompa Sood said…
Such an accurate review Manya. My views exactly but put so eloquently. Shompa
26 January 2018 at 20:42
Shompa Sood said…
Such an accurate review Manya. My views exactly but put so eloquently. Shompa
26 January 2018 at 20:42
Kashish said…
Very Well Written :-)
26 January 2018 at 23:27
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