Padmavati marks the first time Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone will not be romantically involved in a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film.
Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone in Padmavati
Opulent music, stunning cinematography, and sizzling chemistry between the lead stars. These are key elements in a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film. Padmavati's trailer released yesterday and took everyone's breath away, what with its royal portrayals of Alauddin Khilji, played by Ranveer Singh, Rani Padmini, essayed by Deepika Padukone, and Maharawal Ratan Singh, portrayed by Shahid Kapoor.
Yet, unlike the previous two films of Bhansali, Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Goliyon Ke Ras Leela- Ram Leela (2013), there will be no love story between Deepika and Ranveer in Padmavati. In fact, Deepika will be paired opposite Shahid, and Ranveer opposite Aditi Rao Hydari and reportedly Jim Sarbh.
UNUSUAL FOR BHANSALI-ESQUE FILMS
Now this is a strange thing for Bhansali, who is known for films such as Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Guzaarish and Devdas, where the chemistry between the lead characters was the focal point. In his last two films, Bajirao Mastani and Ram Leela, he was lauded for bringing out the fervent passion between Deepika and Ranveer's characters. They created magic with songs such as Laal Ishq, Lahu Munh Lag Gaya and Ang Laga De, in the film Ram Leela. Then came 2015's Bajirao Mastani. They had such a powerful magnetic connection, that it leaked into their personal lives as well.
In both these films, Ram Leela and Bajirao Mastani, their characters were star-crossed lovers who were separated by war, and then reunited in death. However, in Padmavati, while Deepika and Ranveer will be at war again, there won't be such an epic romance between them.
PRIORITY TO THE STORYLINE
According to the legend, Rani Padmini was not in love with the ruthless foreign invader Alaudin Khilji, though he was obsessed with her. He set out for Chittor, and was desperate to catch a glimpse of her. However, the Chittor fort was heavily guarded. Khilji wanted to capture Chittor, to obtain Padmini, as he believed that he had right over a woman of such beauty.
By this time, Padmini's husband, Ratan Rawal Singh, had been killed. There are several versions as to how he was killed, whether he died in capture by Khilji, or at the hands of the Devpal, the king of Kumbhalner. Padmini refused to succumb to Khili's intentions, and led the women of Chittor fort to an underground hideout, where they all committed self-immolation, jauhar.
Unlike many directors who try to please their stars' fans, Bhansali has given preference to the storyline. While we might not know how exactly he has recreated the story, the little snatches that we see in the trailer are enough to tell us. Shahid and Deepika's relationship looks like it is strongly rooted in Rajput pride, so it's not at all likely that Rani Padmini would turn towards Khilji.
Earlier, Bhansali was accused by the Karni Sena of "distorting" history, by showing a romantic dream sequence between Rani Padmini and Khilji, but Deepika and Ranveer quelled those rumours and said that there was no truth to the rumours.
A NEW CURIOSITY
Without any on-screen chemistry between them, Ranveer and Deepika managed to set the screen on fire with the trailer. This heightens the curiosity and expectations regarding how the film is going to pan out. And, Ranveer is known to do full justice to his roles, so we can expect to see Khilji's manic obsession towards Padmini. It would also be interesting to see new relationships and pairings in the film. Will the unusual pairing of Shahid and Deepika translate into powerful on-screen chemistry?
Come December 1, we will know.