Sanjay Leela Bhansali helmed Padmaavat, a 2018 Indian Bollywood epic historical drama movie. It features Deepika Padukone portrays Rani Padmavati, a Rajput queen famed for her attractiveness and the wife of Maharawal Ratan Singh, portrayed by Shahid Kapoor, and is inspired by Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s epic poem of the same title. When Sultan Alauddin Khilji, portrayed by Ranveer Singh, hears about her attractiveness, he invades her country in order to enslave her. In secondary roles, Aditi Rao Hydari, Jim Sarbh, Raza Murad, and Anupriya Goenka appeared.
Padmaavat is among the most costly Bollywood movies ever filmed, with such a cost of production of 215 crores (US$29 million).
Padmaavat was originally supposed to be released on December 1, 2017, however, it was delayed due to many problems. Its publication was postponed indefinitely due to violent protests. The movie was cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification in December with some adjustments, including the insertion of several disclaimers and a name change from Padmavati. Padmaavat was rescheduled for a 25 January 2018 release in 2D, 3D, as well as IMAX 3D formats, making it the first Indian movie to do so.
Padmaavat garnered a mixed response from critics. The graphics, cinematography, and Singh’s depiction of a wicked Khilji were lauded by critics.
The representation of Khilji as a conventional wicked Muslim monarch and Ratan Singh as a virtuous Hindu king, that sparked religious riots, was also criticised by critics.
Although being not distributed in some parts of India, it became a commercial triumph and the 10th highest-earning Indian movie of all time, making over 585 crores (US$78 million) at the box office. Padmaavat earned 18 nominations and won four prizes at the 64th Filmfare Awards, notably Best Actor (Critics) for Singh.
It also took home three National Film Awards, notably Bhansali’s Best Music Direction. Jalal-ud-din Khalji of a Khalji dynasty plots to usurp the throne of Delhi in 13th-century Afghanistan. Alauddin Khalji, Jalaluddin’s wicked nephew, approaches Mehrunisa, Jalaluddin’s daughter, and requests for her hand in marriage. Their marriage is planned, but Alauddin commits adultery with some other woman here on the night of an occasion. Alauddin assassinates a senior courtier who saw the event. Mehrunisa is shocked when she learns about it at the wedding. Alauddin is designated as a lead general after the wedding.
Princess Padmavati unintentionally wounded Rajput king of Mewar Maharawal Ratan Singh whilst hunting inside a jungle in Singhal (modern-day Sri Lanka). While she is tending to him, he explains how he has gone to Sinhala in order to obtain rare pearls for his sole wife, Nagmati. The two finally become friends and fall madly in love. Ratan Singh begs Padmavati for her permission to marry, she accepts, and they marry with her father’s consent.
Jalaluddin ascends to Delhi’s throne and dispatches Alauddin to oppose a Mongol invasion. Alauddin succeeds, but not before conducting an unofficial raid on Devagiri.
He kidnaps the princess, murders her husband, and takes her as his concubine. Alauddin’s intention to capture the throne is warned by Jalaluddin’s wife and nephew. He does, however, travel to Kara to meet Alauddin and present him with the slave Malik Kafur. Kafur assassinates Jalaluddin and his ministers, and Alauddin declares himself Sultan. Alauddin and Kafur grow close over time, and Kafur climbs through the ranks of Alauddin’s army becoming a major.
Padmavati travels to Mewar alongside Ratan Singh and therefore is blessed by Raghav Chetan, his royal priest.
Chetan is later exiled after covertly intruding into the palace and spying on an intimate act involving Ratan and Padmavati. He immediately goes to Delhi to tell Alauddin about Padmavati’s beauty. Alauddin, who is enamoured about having the best of everything, welcomes the Rajputs to Delhi, but they decline. He attacks Ratan Singh’s capital, Chittor, enraged. Alauddin feigns peace for Holi and is permitted to enter Chittor, wherein he meets Ratan Singh, after just a six-month failed siege. He requests to see Padmavati, which Ratan Singh permits, but only for a short time, avoiding Alauddin from ever seeing her face.
Ratan Singh is duped by Khilji and transported as a prisoner to Delhi.
Padmavati agrees to visit Alauddin on the condition that she first see Ratan and that Chetan is slain for his prior betrayal, as per Queen Nagmati’s request. Padmavati accepts and flies to Delhi to see Alauddin. Meanwhile, Alauddin is injured but survives an assassination attempt by his nephew. He tracks down and murders his nephew. The Rajputs intend to attack the Khilji warriors in the morning when it is time for morning namz, dressed as ladies. Padmavati frees Ratan Singh with the assistance of Chittor’s generals Gora and Badal, and flees with Mehrunisa’s support.
Ratan approaches Alauddin, who advises Ratan to take advantage of his weakened position to murder him. Ratan, on the other hand, rejects since it goes against the Rajput belief of not assaulting the injured. The Rajput ambush proceeds as planned, but Khilji forces are forewarned and repel the attack, killing the Rajputs and allowing the King and Queen to flee.
Alauddin imprisons Mehrunisa and marches to Chittor for assisting the Rajputs. He and Ratan Singh fight in a single duel; Alauddin is wounded and drops his sword, but Ratan does not kill him since he is defenceless; Kafur seizes the chance to severely injure Ratan while he is turned away.
He berates the Khilji soldiers for fighting dishonourably as he dies. The Khilji army overcomes the scattered Rajputs and takes Chittor, but they are unable to capture the Rajput ladies who, together along with Padmavati, commit jauhar (mass suicide by immolation), infuriating Alauddin.
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