Padmaavat: This is not the first time Bhansali has a connection with the queen’s tale. Watch how

There are very few filmmakers who can weave magic on the big screen, with their brilliant storytelling. And while mentioning such filmmakers in Bollywood, one can’t forget Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He is one such filmmaker who leaves a deep impression through his stories. Undoubtedly, he is an artist who paints beautiful illustrations, in the form of his stories, on celluloid. It’s just a matter of two weeks from now and the maverick filmmaker is ready with the release of his next magnum opus ‘Padmavati’. Now, it’s a known fact that various organisations, political parties and individuals from the Rajput community have been opposing the film’s release claiming that it distorts history in telling the tale of Rani Padmavati. Time and again, SLB has issued apologies and he and his team are stating that the film doesn’t showcase anything which can be demeaning to the culture. As the film now hopes for a smooth release, there’s something else that has caught our attention.

Many wouldn’t be aware that this is not the first time when the tale of Sultan Alauddin Khilji and his obsession with Rani Padmavati is coming on our screens. If we can rewind time, it was in the year 1988 when veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal’s historical drama TV series ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’ explored this story in one of its episodes. Based on the book ‘The Discovery of India’ by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, this episode on Padmavat featured none other than late veteran actor Om Puri playing the role of tyrant ruler Sultan Alauddin Khilji. His knowledge of Padmavati, the way he got mesmerised by her beauty, and his subsequent obsession which led to the event of him visiting Raja Rawal Ratan Singh’s palace (Check at 26.15 to see this beautiful scene in the episode). This episode indeed makes you aware about some key important elements of this epic tale. Apart from Om Puri, the other principal roles were played by actors Rajendra Gupta and Seema Kelkar, who played Raja Rawal Ratan Singh and Rani Padmavati, respectively. (Also Read: Ranveer Singh: I have no scenes with Deepika in ‘Padmavati’ at all)

However, there is one very important link that connects this old episode of Padmavati, to the recent grand movie; Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Yes! You read that right. Before making a mark for himself and venturing on his own, SLB started his career as an assistant in the editing team of ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’ (perhaps his first project) which featured this story that he went on to direct with his own vision, after a gap of almost 29 years (Check at 43.44 to see SLB’s name credit in the episode).

Indeed, we can say that for Sanjay Leela Bhansali, life has come a full circle with this one.

Talking about the film ‘Padmavati’, it stars Deepika Padukone playing the titular role, Shahid Kapoor playing the role of Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Sultan Alauddin Khilji.

The film is slated to release on December 1, 2017.

Check out the full episode of ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’ featuring Om Puri as Alauddin Khilji below:

Amod Pandit

Quiet, resonant, and creative, he can be seen immersed in his own world, and puts in his heart and soul into the one passion that he has, Bollywood. His line for survival? Feel happy to be a part of it.