REVEALED : ‘Padmavati’ special screening proves that the film is a tribute to the Rajput queen

‘Padmavati‘. Ever since the movie had been announced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, waves of protest had started rising in the native place of the queen, and organisations started turning mutinous, stating that the movie is against their culture, and a blot on the valour of the queen. Various shameful incidents happened thereafter, including Karni Sena’s attack on Bhansali, their claim that Deepika should be harmed physically for portraying a cinematic version of the queen. And now, a special screening of the unedited version of the movie was held, for senior journalists Rajat Sharma and Arnab Goswami, who, after watching it, on their respective news channels revealed aspects that prove that the movie is nothing short of a splendid cinematic tribute to the queen and her kin. They revealed the same, a while back, on their television shows.

The first thing that was revealed, was the disclaimer with which the movie starts its journey. Here it is.

“The film is made in the honour Rani Padmavati. It is an adaptation. It has been taken in reference with historians but does not reflect history in accuracy.”

This in itself proves the fact that it is a film, and while it does has its base in history, it is not a documentary and hence it will take liberties enough to enhance the big screen experience. But in no way does it bring down the valour and pride of the queen who gave her life instead of being held prisoner by a cruel invader.

Another very important point that was revealed by the journalists, was the dialogue exchange that happened between Alauddin Khilji (Ranveer Singh) and Maharawal Ratan Singh (Shahid Kapoor), which further proves how the brave king stood between his queen and the ruler, and hence there was no meeting between the two (regarding which all the protests are happening).

Khilji has said to Maharawal, “Jab bhi hum Padmavati se milne ka khwab karte hain aap aage aajate hain.”

Not just this, the film depicts the true strength of the queen that Padmavati was. There is a dialogue in the movie, wherein the queen, on coming to terms with the fact that her husband, the king has been imprisoned by Khilji. Like a true queen, she keeps aside her sorrow and takes charge of the situation, saying, “Yudh, niti se jeta jaega.” Not just this, even Shahid, in the role of Ratan Singh has said, “Rajput hai hum kabhi peeth dikhakar nahi jaate,” when the queen of Khilji tells him to escape through the back door. Further, the scene where Ratan Singh gives a lesson to Khilji in humanity, increases our respect for him, and the community to whom this movie pays a tribute. Khilji is told by Maharwal, “Tum bhi usul seekh jao, insan ban jaoge.”

If this does not convince you of the fact that this is a beautiful cinematic marvel which glorifies the queen and Rajputs, probably this last exchange of dialogue between queen Padmavati and her king Ratan Singh will convince you, as she says, “Mujhe Jauhar Ka Haq dijiye.”

Here is a queen who is not afraid of plunging into burning fire, at the same time planning how to save her people, even when her husband is imprisoned. Here is a woman, who is pride and honour personified, and here is a movie, which is a tribute to the same. Here is a queen who knows the difference between right and wrong. “Yeh yudh satya aur asatya ke beech hai, Ram aur Ravan, Pandav aur Kaurav ke beech hai.”

We implore, after all these proofs, how can ‘Padmavati’ be a stain on Rajputs?

We end with another line from the movie, which will give you goosebumps for sure.

Rani Padmavati ka jauhar hi khilji ki sabse badi haar aur Rajputon ki sabse badi jeet

We hope the truth of art, and a woman’s valour wins over this nonsensical debate which has been going on.

Kadambari Srivastava

Grammar Nazi, word weaver, dreamer, bibliophile, technophile, caffeine addict, foodie, shuttling shopaholic! Mash it in a Bollywood recipe and voila! Pushpa, you’ve got her!