Padmavaat is a fairly entertaining, but a typical Bollywood period film.
Technically, it does have all the key facets of a Bhansali film viz. stunning visuals (Sudeep Chatterjee), and impressive grandeur (Amit Rai, Subrata Chakraborty).
The narrative initially a bit slow focuses on the lead characters and their back-stories. Towards the interval it picks up some pace, but again there is a slight dip towards the end. Editing (Rajesh Pandey) could have been a bit sharper.
Music by Bhansali and Sanchit Balhara once again synchronizes with Rajasthani and Mughal folklore quite well. However, one song Khali Bali though catchy, is literally forced into the narrative with atrocious dance moves!
Dialogues by Prakash Kapadia are quite crisp, but frankly the actors’ contribution makes them stronger. The heavy gyaan baazi about valour and principles in between is a bit irritating. Action scenes by Shyam Kaushal are well executed.
The story as most of us are aware involves more of fiction & cinematic liberty, than factual history. Secondly, since major characters are portrayed in black and white, the unpredictability factor is missing, which makes it a regular masala potboiler.
The film by any chance does not promote Sati practice or show Rajput women in bad light. In fact, it highlights the portions where the queens help taking strategic decisions, and support their partners. The pre-climax reminds you of Ketan Mehta’s classic Mirch Masala, which spoke about women standing for themselves against lechery.
Performance wise, Shahid Kapur fits the character of Raja Ratan Singh Rawal. His body language, dialogue delivery, emotions are perfect. However, he is over-shadowed by Ranveer, since Khilji is shown to be stronger.
Jim Sarbh as Malik Kafur is just brilliant. His role of Khiji’s male partner is perhaps the only multi-dimensional one, and dealt with meticulously. He brings in the surprise elements in the film at the right place, without over-doing it. The actor also aptly underplays himself as and when required.
Deepika as Rani Padmavati looks stunning, and emotes well but somewhere the depth in her character is not completely seen. Aayam Mehta, who plays Rajguru Raghav Chetan is superb. Aditi Rao Hydari as Mehrunisa (Khilji’s wife) does well, but falls short of screen space. Same with Anupriya Goenka who plays Rani Nagmati. Raza Murad provides good support.
Ranveer Singh simply outshines everyone else & takes the film to the next level. The actor transforms himself into a menacing maniac and keeps you engaged throughout with his towering presence. Once again he picks up the diction (Urdu – Arabic) with ease. Bhansali somehow manages to bring the best out of him always.
Overall, Padmavat is a one-time enjoyable fare, worth a watch owing to the performances and Bhansali’s large creative canvas, without linking it to real-time historical characters
Rating: ***1/2
We The People 