Padmaavat First Review

Padmaavat starring, Deepika Padukone,Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh starrer is all set for a grand release on January 25th. Umair Sandhu of the UAE censor board who often gives out reviews in advance has praised the film to the skies. Here's what he has to say about Padmaavat..

ALSO READ: Padmaavat Review & Rating

Sanjay Leela Bhansali was determined to make a film on the lives of Padmavati and Khaliji for quite some time now. The supremely talented raconteur kept vacillating between numerous actors, before he chose on the present star cast of PADMAAVAT.

Although historicals were well-liked — and commercially feasible, if I may add — at a point of time, the swelling budgets and comprehensive study and research that went into making a historical compelled quite a few present-day film-makers to abandon their dream projects and opt for contemporary themes. Bhansali stood his ground and waited for the opportune time to commence the project in question.

Padmaavat is Bhansali’s most ambitious project to date. The love story, the conflict, the dramatic altercations, the battle sequences and of course, the ostentatious setting… It is an enthralling period film that transports you to an era you had only read about in the history books. At the same time, Bhansali introduces the on-screen characters and the sequence of events with utmost simplicity so that the enthusiastic spectator is able to get the grip of the goings-on effortlessly.

Clearly, Bhansali seems to be motivated by the classics helmed by the Hollywood counterparts. He has a splendid sense of narrating an epic tale, which is evident when you think of the gigantic scale of the film.

The battle sequences are awe-inspiring and have been executed with magnificence. The production design is eye-filling and makes you acknowledge the effort that must’ve gone into recreating the long-gone era. The apparel as well as the styling of the characters is truly majestic.

Bhansali seamlessly weaves music in the historical. Filmed with care, the songs [also composed by Bhansali] are mesmeric and have been choreographed with precision. The ones that stand out is Ghoomer. The background score is wonderful. Padmaavat is gorgeously lensed, with the DoP capturing the colors, setting and emotions meticulously. Editing is crisp.

Bhansali makes sure the actors get major acting opportunities this time. Ranveer Singh is stupendous and clearly in top form. He holds you attentive right from the first frame till the penultimate moments. The effortlessness with which he gets into the skin of the character is noteworthy.

It must be said that this is his finest work to date. Deepika is enchanting as Padmavati and displays the strength as an actor in several pertinent episodes. She gave Career Best Performance ever. Shahid Kapoor Steals the Show all the way. He Nailed it !!! Loved his Romance with deepika. Aditi Rao Hyderi will surprise u. Supporting Cast is Top Notch.

On the whole, Padmaavat is a cinematic gem that you just cannot miss. Tremendous performances, deft direction, power-packed screenwriting and dialogue, melodious soundtrack and of course, the lavish mounting — this film has it all. Strongly recommended!

By Umair Sandhu