Ever since Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced his venture of Padmavati, I was super excited about the film. I have always been a fan of his movies be it HDDCS, Bajirao Mastani, Guzarish or any other. So I had a lot of expectations from this one, especially after Bajirao's fantabulous success. Then came a sequence of controversies, right from Rajputs slapping Bhansali to latest Karni Sena episodes. I had a kind of feeling that this movie would be all about Rajput Shaan (valour) and all the controversies surrounding it are baseless. I was desperately waiting for the movie to be released. Further expectations were high as there were reports that the movie was based on the poem of Malik Muhammad Jayasi which talks about the unmatchable fighting strength of the Rajputs. After all, there were the first barriers to any foreign element trying to enter India and through their courage & strength have proved their might, time & again! So the expectations were quiet high this time.
Therefore, last night I went to watch the movie with my family, and I must say, unlike his other ventures, this one was not up to the mark. I am no movie critic nor I have so much knowledge about the same through which I can comment on the technicalities of the film. But, as a viewer I couldn't connect with it and I have reasons for that. First of all. the narration of the story was not good. It seems so much disconnected (that may be because of editing & cuts by Censor Board). Ok! But there were certain things in this story which disturbed me. Padmavat DO NOT talk about valour, might & strength of Rajputs, In fact, a very little has been shown in this film through which one can judge about it. The original poem, on which the movie is based, talks about how Gora & Badal, two unmatchable Rajputs fought tooth & nail against Mughals in heir home! So much that the Khilji's troops were terrified that if two people can be so brave, how many would be there in Chittor! But, to my disappointment, the fighting sequence was just hardly of two minutes. What about Rana Rawal Singh? Even he didn't found a respectable place in the movie. He was seen more romancing the ladies (his two wives) than showing any skills in the battle field. Is that the Rajputs that we have heard about? Certainly no! Rajputs are warriors, portray them that way!
It has MORE GLORIFIED THE OBSESSION OF A MASS RAPIST FOR OUR QUEEN ( or queens if the historians are to be believed). I mean it! Ranveer Singh has occupied more screen space than any other character in the movie. He has been shown dark, really dark.
There is nothing objectionable in the film, No imagination of Khilji that Rani Padmavati is trying to seduce him. I believe that its Sanjay Leela Bhansali who has himself paid for this controversy to get publicity, Any one who has seen this movie will agree with me.
BUT..BUT..BUT..there is an underlying aspect which everyone has ignored. The movies has brought back the memories of the atrocities which the Mughals did to our nation, our ladies, our children and our pride. Who bought Islam to India, it was Mughals! and how did they tried to enforce upon us - through unleashing a wave of terror on us, They killed our people, burnt our villages, looted us, raped our women and took them away, killed children and forced us to adopt Islam & slavery. We hate them to the core! They gave Islam a totally bad reputation in India. It created an environment of fear and mistrust among Hindus & Muslims. People may argue that it was history and it holds no relevance in modern days. I disagree! I disagree because in today's scenario, though Hindus & Muslims are living peacefully, opening those wounds will only create trouble in an already hostile environment. All of India is not educated enough to just take it as a film.They associate it with their honor. Why play with that? This film, mark my words, will further develop rift in already divided society. Most of the impact is on the lower strata of the society, people who are uneducated, who get swayed by provocative speeches and who can be manipulated easily.
How could this have been stopped, just by showing the Rajput valour more than the Alauddin Khilji's negativity. Nation is first! I sincerely believe that Muslims should aggressively oppose this movie rather than Rajputs because Khilji do not represent Islam or Muslims in India. He only represents a demon who once ruled India, a black period for all of us. Such cruel people have no religion, But people will associate it with it only. Very Sad!
PS : I do not ask to ban it, neither I support the violent protest that is happening across the country. Views are personal. Some may agree, some may not! I welcome both.
Well said. Totally agree...
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