'Padmaavat' Review: The Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor starrer is an enriching cinematic experience

Critics Rating: 4/5

Cast: Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor

Direction: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Duration: 2 hours, 43 minutes

Language: Hindi (U/A)

Story: Alaudin Khilji (Ranveer), the face of evil from the Khalji dynasty is power-drunk and fond of all things exquisite (nayaab).  When he hears that the Chittor Queen Rani Padmavati is breathtakingly beautiful he wants to `possess' her.  So, he wages war on her husband Maharwal Ratan Singh.  Thus, begins one man's battle for honour and the other's battle for love.

Review: As far as history goes, I'm a novice on the actual chapter involving Rani Padmavati.  So, pardon my ignorance.  I therefore fail to understand the fringe group threats to this film.  Honestly, there is nothing objectionable or unIndian in it.

Having said that as far as cinema goes, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is easily the best auteur-filmmaker in Bollywood.  When he tells you a story, you listen, you applaud, you soak it in, you bask in its luminescence.

Padmaavat, is a work of fiction (as per the disclaimer) and it is based on 16th century Sufi poet, Malik Muhammad Jayasi's epic poem Padmavat.  And once you come to terms with that, you just let yourself soak in the whole experience.  Frankly, it's a harmless piece of cinema that doesn't dent anyone's honour.

In fact, the dialogue written by Bhansali and Prakash Kapadia speaks of Rajasthan's pride and valour.  And, it showcases the bravery of the Rajputs by weaving it in a simple love-story between a king and his queen, who are forcibly drawn into a vortex of hatred and war because of the unreasonable quest of one man-Alaudin Khilji.

Every frame here is spectacular and opulent.  And if you experience this film in 3-D, you are bound to enjoy it more.

The extreme nature of the three lead characters make them alluring.  Khilji, is darker than the night, Ratan Singh is self-righteous and attractive.  As for the queen herself, Padmavati is the epitome of grace and beauty.  At the same time, she is feisty, and this makes her irresistible to both men and women.

This is also a love story with a difference because throughout Khilji never actually sets eyes on Padmavati, the object of his fantasy.  And yet, Bhansali masterfully conveys so much madness and mayhem.

If you are a fan of the Bahubali format of story-telling Padmaavat will blow your mind.  Everything here speaks of grandeur and greatness.  Ranveer, from whose point of view, the story unfolds compels you to stay invested in him throughout.  You are meant to hate him, but you are found guilty because you come out loving him.  Shahid is understated and adds weight to the role of the royal.  As for Deepika, well as of today, she is the queen of Indian cinema.  And, here she stands tall, speaking eloquently with her eyes and breathing fire when necessary.

Fortunately, there is yet another disclaimer saying that the film does not propagate the custom of sati.  That having been made clear, the jauhar scene in the film is a highlight.  And it leaves you teary-eyed.

Tip: Padmaavat is definitely worth a watch, for its scale, story-telling and stellar performances from the lead.