Padmaavat movie review: Visual extravaganza with astounding performances

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s directorial epic Padmaavat finally managed to hit the theaters and it would have been one of the biggest losses in the history of Hindi cinema if it couldn’t. Baahubali and Padmaavat are literally the only two visual spectacles to have graced the Indian screens and every film else seems to be a mitch in comparison. Sanjay Bhansali is known for his audacity of spectacle and gorgeous frames with perfect symmetry and divine lighting. Coming from the school of taught of K.Asif (Mughal – E- Azam), that’s exactly what he has done.

Common theme roping through all the other Bhansali films is passionate romance, which in valor is like worshiping god. In Padmaavat the stronger themes are courage and bravery of Maharawal Ratan Singh of Mewar and darkness of Sultan Allaudin Khilji’s life and mind. Queen Padmavati has been showcased as the beauty equivalent to a poetic moon and vigor of sun. Khilji waged wars on the mere description of this extraordinary lady he has never seen before, just to have a one look at her thousands of soldiers died. The honor of Rajput community in the medieval times has been showcased aptly.

Ranveer Singh has made it to the history books of cinema with the portrayal of his character Khilji and he is unbelievably convincing. The sheer magic of his performance is enough to wrack the nerves out of cine goers, he is certainly one of the best antagonist in world cinema. Shahid Kapoor’s glorified and proud portrayal of Maharawal is wonderful and his stature to his manner of speaking conveyed volumes about how dedicated and brilliant he is.  Deepika Padukone as fierce queen is astounding and gave a performance equivalent to Nargis Dutt in Mother India. Screenplay and dialogues of this film are second to nothing. This magnum opus was written with golden words and should be cherished by maximum number of audience.