Despite protests, ‘Padmaavat’ deemed a runaway success
Apurv Shukla
Auckland, January 27, 2018
‘Padmaavat,’ the most anticipated and discussed Hindi film in recent months, was released on January 25, 2018, postponed from its original release date in December.
The film ran into trouble with radical groups that were against its release and delayed clearance by India’s Central Board of Film Certification.
Based on a poem by Sufi Poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi, ‘Padmaavat’ chronicles the life of Rani Padmini of Rajasthan.
Controversy and Assault
The film was mired in controversy right from its days of shooting.
‘Karni Sena,’ an organisation purportedly representing the warrior clan of Rajputs, vandalised the sets of the film in Rajasthan and the Director of the film, Sanjay Leela Bhansali was assaulted.
Protestors were of the view that the film tarnished the image of Rani Padmini and was an insult to all Rajputs and their pride.
Persisting Problems
The Indian Censor Board appointed a panel of historians to watch the film, and cleared it for release earlier this month, only after ordering a few scenes be removed and the title of the film changed. Bhansali renamed his production, ‘Padmaavat.
A few States still declared that they would not release the film in light of perceived law and order situation that could arise with the exhibition of ‘Padmaavat.’
The Producers petitioned the Supreme Court, which ruled in its favour, and cleared the way for country-wise release.
Fringe elements continued to create a ruckus and indulged in vandalism, forcing a few centres to cancel shows.
Box-Office Hit
But ‘Padmaavat’ opened with terrific reviews and strong box-office numbers.
The combination of Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Bhansali for the third time, created their best product till date.
The film matches the Director’s aesthetic, but larger than life canvas with an engaging screenplay. Ranveer delivers his career’s best performance as the powerful ruler of the Delhi Empire Allauddin Khilji.
Deepika in the title role, is sure to walk away with most of the awards for 2018 releases.
The only people disappointed by the film will be the protestors.
They created so much trouble and mischief, which resulted in disruption of normal life for many people. Was it a ploy to generate publicity and create a bigger market for them?
Glorifying Padmini
The film glorifies princess Padmini and talks passionately about Indian warriors and their sacrifices. The director’s artistic brush paints all frames of the picture beautifully.
This includes depiction of self-immolation by the ladies –the practice of Jauhar; possibly the only let-down of the film.
These protests and delays in the film’s release made headlines worldwide.
This made for a disappointing look for a country hoping to be a world superpower.
But then, as the world’s largest democracy, freedom of expression is the most sacred right of the people, even if those rights are misused.
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