'Padmavat': The Controversy

Between anime, Oriental drama, books, and Hollywood action movies I really am not inclined to go watch Bollywood films.

It has to star Aamir Khan or Hritik Roshan before I even consider spending the coin.

However, Sanjay Leena Bhansali is one director who can easily sway me from my Bollywood break with his pretty trappings. On top of that, the smear campaign against the movie had me intrigued. I always love a nasty political cloud, because the lack of rationality and violence never fails to astound me. I always end up questioning if there is some validity to the lynch mob and anger.

So I went and watched the movie. Kind of ironic that I could see it here in my very western country and my cousin can’t in India. I was shook by that.

Anyhow, let’s start the movie itself now.

1. Hate Campaign Before the Release

The romantic “dream sequence” between the villain and the heroine: How can you make such claims if you haven’t seen the movie? The trailer never implied anything of that nature!

That SLB portrayed Queen Padmini in a dishonourable way: The issue over here is not whether she’s fact or fiction. Everyone is entitled their opinion (rightfully so) on that score. The point is that the persona of Queen Padmini sits on a highly regarded pedestal, and I never believed SLB was stupid enough to tarnish her high regard. And he did not in any way, shape, or form.

Queens did not dance: So Navratri, Garba, Dandiya Ras, Shiv Tandav, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, the other eight or ten traditional dance forms, Sitar, Tabla, Harmoium are recent discoveries? It has nothing to do with Ancient Indian Hindu culture? OK, got it!

2. Criticisms After the Movie: Queen Padmini Not a Hero But a Curse for Today’s Woman

Homosexuality: Too much or too little? I was of the belief that considering the movie wasn’t about that angle and the taboo nature of homosexuality in India, it was well done. It was obvious. If you need to be hit with a brick about it, than this movie is not for you.

Glorifying Jauhar: Why did SLB not showcase the pain women suffered from at the hands of patriarchy?

One, Queen Padmini’s self immolation by fire has always been glorified for centuries. It would have been a very unwise business move on top of that. What else did you expect? The truth unfortunately is always bitter.

Two, SLB made the movie “based” on the fictitious (underline) epic poem of by Sufi Malik Muhammad Jayasi. The fictitious work does exist and he took it in that direction, freeing him from the responsibility of showing the grave nature of Sati and Jauhar.

Three, people say what she did was not brave or that this somehow has a negative bearing on today’s woman. HOW? Choosing to throw yourself in fire requires some bloody guts and that IS brave. Do not confuse the idea of bravery with honour. There is never any honour in untimely death. Calling it cowardice is insensitive and rude. It is nothing but tragic. The brave thing to do today is go the cops and hope for justice. But what was the third option after slavery (under father, husband, brother, son, and master) or freedom from abuse by death?

Four, Queen Padmini’s glorified Jauhar is being taken out of context. The social realities unfortunately do not apply to her as strongly as they would to many other women who were dragged and thrown in the fire. Yes Jauhar is a patriarchal product. Just as how a homosexual individual in India today may commit suicide. The gap of eight centuries, however, makes these two patriarchal byproducts incomparable by today’s standards.

Five, last but not the least, perception. I perceived it as a couple dying for freedom rather than submitting to the invader’s powerful invasion. A deeper development between SK and DP was really essential which SLB failed to deliver. Read on for more.

3. Where The Movie Really Went Wrong (Spoiler Alert)

Acting/Direction

Shahid Kapoor is a really strong actor and SLB did not use that man to his full potential. Aditi Rao Hydari was the most sympathetic character. Jim Sarbh’s acting was just intriguing to watch. I was more curious about him than anything else. These three people stole the show.

Rani Nagmati/Nagmani, Khilji’s relatives, and the priest left something to be desired. The main and minor cast of Ram-Leela and Bajirao Mastani has this chemistry and flow that was missing from Padmavat.

Both RS and DP are phenomenal actors. But that does not mean every role is meant for everyone just because you’re a good actor. I could have stomached RS’s macabre clownish take on Khilji’s crazy if I wasn’t comparing him to SK’s take on Haider’s crazy. I found the emotional depth in RS and DP missing in comparison to Bajirao or the other three actors. Just because it’s Ranveer Singh's people felt sorry for him at the end when he was running. Excuse moi? The character who killed Ratan Sa dishonourably and no one feels sorry for the couple? SLB, WTH. I really think SK as Khilji would have done the character justice. And RS and DP’s chemistry as always would have been a force of its own.

Plot Holes (SPOILERS): Skip the paragraph to avoid

It dragged and felt incomplete at the same time. There were too many unneeded scenes of RS. How does his playboy life have any important message about Queen Padmini’s life? His mistresses adore him and his wife fears him. Uh yeah, sure. How is showcasing his obvious bisexuality and possible homosexuality supposed to convince me that he was obsessed with Queen Padmini and not land? WTH was going on with that priest? How is Khilji’s internal political conflict relevant to the person who the movie is depicted after? Long story short, the movie should have been renamed Khilji and not Padmavat.

Conclusion

Watch it for Ranveer Singh; he does do a phenomenal job in his own right. But if you're looking for meaningful content between Ratan Sa and Queen Padmini, you will be disappointed. SK and DP are simply props while SLB hitches a ride to RS’s popularity to make money. There was no distortion to Ratan Sa and Queen Padmini; they simply did not get the meaning screen time that the title of the movie demands.

Other than that, the media campaign was a waste of time and energy. Just like always, it’s the powerful “leaders” fighting amongst each other. And like always, common folk are influenced into this vitriol while ignoring the much more important things. Economy, education, and health, anyone? These leaders convince you to fight their money oriented battles while their kids are living the life of the enviable in these Western nations. I am shocked to see adults of my own generation resorting to threats and swearing. SMH.

Grade: 67.5%