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We would expect this history-book synopsis to be taken to an entirely new level by Bhansali. But Padmaavat fails to build an engaging narrative. Everything is retold and reiterated, more so about Rajput valour. Songs serving no purpose are squeezed in, and a captivating thread that should have held together the film goes for a toss.
The male characters are unidimensional; Alauddin is utterly barbaric; and Ratan is righteousness incarnate. The layering comes out in Padmavati and in Mehrunisa (Aditya Rao Haidari), Alauddin's wife.
Ranveer delivers a totally uninhibited act, his body language befitting an egomaniac. Thoroughly ethereal, Deepika, however, is not taxed as a performer, and Shahid maintains his gravitas. Jim Sarbh, as Aladdin's salve, is more stereotype while Aditi makes a mark - and stands out for her controlled act.
The songs by Bhansali (for all its classical bravura) are a let-down, and Alauddin bursting into the Khalibali dance is unintentionally hilarious. I made a mistake watching the film on 3D; the visual grandiose that the trailer offered in standard format was lost in its 3D avatar.
While it is easy to write-off Padmaavat for its lag and apparent emptiness, let us desist from looking at the film for political rightness, gender equations and social norms. After all, it is only the visual telling of a fable set centuries ago.
In threatening Bhansali and in mocking him, the Karni Sena activists and the savage movie-critics are no better than Alauddin imposing he alone is right.
We need grandiose dreamers in cinema. Sometimes they awe, at times they disappoint. But their dreams give us wings to fly into distant lands and tales forgotten.
Padmaavat
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