A cinematic epic that sparked national riots before it even reached the screen
In short: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2018 film Padmaavat became one of India’s most expensive productions, yet its path to theaters was paved with violent protests, death threats, and state-level bans. Based on a 1540 epic poem, the film’s opulent visual storytelling collided with intense cultural sensitivities, igniting a fierce debate over artistic freedom.
The film adapts Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s 1540 epic poem, Padmavat, a project director Sanjay Leela Bhansali had nurtured for a decade. The narrative follows the Rajput queen Padmavati and her husband, Maharawal Ratan Singh, as they face the obsessive, destructive desires of Sultan Alauddin Khilji. To bring this historical drama to life, Bhansali employed an immense production budget, estimated by Box Office India at ₹215 crore. The film’s aesthetic was meticulously crafted, with costumes incorporating historical research on Turko-Persian and Rajasthani influences, and lead actress Deepika Padukone wearing jewelry weighing up to 3 kg for specific sequences.
Despite its technical ambition, the film faced severe backlash from groups like the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, who alleged it misrepresented Rajput history and the character of Padmavati. Protests turned violent, resulting in set vandalism, arson, and physical assaults on the director. The controversy escalated to the point where several Indian states attempted to ban the film to maintain public order. The Supreme Court of India eventually intervened, overruling these bans by citing the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, allowing the film to reach audiences in January 2018.
Upon release, the film received mixed-to-positive reviews. Critics lauded the cinematography, costume design, and performances—particularly Ranveer Singh’s portrayal of the antagonist Khilji—but some found fault with the runtime and the depiction of regressive patriarchal themes. Ultimately, the film became a commercial success, grossing over ₹571.98 crore. Beyond the box office, the ordeal surrounding its release reignited national conversations regarding the limits of censorship and the role of historical interpretation in modern Indian cinema.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Padmaavat
- Also: Wikidata — Padmaavat · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Padmaavat · CC0
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