Padmaavat, the 2018 Indian epic period drama film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, became a box office sensation and a cultural phenomenon in India. Despite controversies and protests, the movie went on to become one of the highest grossing Indian films of all time, earning over Rs 585 crore (US$ 82 million) at the worldwide box office. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind the movie’s success and its impact on Indian cinema.
Plot Summary
Padmaavat is based on the 16th-century epic poem Padmavat by Malik Muhammad Jayasi and tells the story of Queen Padmavati (Deepika Padukone), the wife of Rajput king Ratan Singh (Shahid Kapoor). The movie revolves around the conflict between Ratan Singh and Alauddin Khilji (Ranveer Singh), the Sultan of Delhi, who becomes obsessed with Padmavati’s beauty and seeks to capture her.
Controversies and Protests
Before its release, Padmaavat became embroiled in controversies and protests. The Rajput community, whose history and culture is depicted in the movie, objected to the portrayal of Queen Padmavati and accused the filmmakers of distorting historical facts. There were protests, threats of violence, and calls for a ban on the movie in several states of India. Despite the controversies, the movie was released on January 25, 2018.
Box Office Records
Padmaavat was released in over 4,000 screens in India and 1,300 screens overseas. The movie broke box office records in India and became one of the highest grossing Indian films of all time, earning over Rs 585 crore (US$ 82 million) at the worldwide box office. The movie’s success was attributed to its grandeur, visual effects, and storytelling, as well as the performances of the lead actors.
Impact on Indian Cinema
Padmaavat’s success had a significant impact on Indian cinema. It showed that a movie can succeed even in the face of controversies and protests, and that Indian filmmakers can create movies on par with Hollywood in terms of grandeur and visual effects. The movie also opened up new markets for Indian cinema, especially in China, where it was released in March 2018 and became the first Indian movie to earn more than Rs 1,000 crore (US$ 140 million) at the Chinese box office.
Padmaavat’s success also highlighted the need for more diverse and inclusive representation in Indian cinema. The movie was criticized for its depiction of the Rajput community and for its lack of representation of marginalized communities. However, it also sparked a debate about the importance of historical accuracy and artistic freedom in cinema.
Conclusion
Padmaavat’s worldwide collection of over Rs 585 crore (US$ 82 million) is a testament to its success and impact on Indian cinema. Despite the controversies and protests, the movie went on to become one of the highest grossing Indian films of all time and opened up new markets for Indian cinema. It also sparked a debate about the importance of diversity and representation in Indian cinema. Padmaavat is a triumph that will be remembered as a milestone in Indian cinema.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus Padmaavat, released in January 2018, was not only one of the most expensive Bollywood movies ever made, but also one of the most controversial ones. Despite the obstacles, Padmaavat went on to become a record-breaking triumph, setting new benchmarks for Indian cinema. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind Padmaavat’s success and its impact on Bollywood.
Plot Summary
Padmaavat is a historical epic based on the 16th-century poem Padmavat by Malik Muhammad Jayasi. The movie tells the story of Rani Padmavati (Deepika Padukone), the queen of Mewar, who is renowned for her beauty and wisdom. When the tyrant Sultan Alauddin Khilji (Ranveer Singh) hears about Padmavati’s beauty, he becomes obsessed with possessing her. Padmavati’s husband, Raja Ratan Singh (Shahid Kapoor), must fight to protect his queen and kingdom from Khilji’s invasion.
Controversies
Padmaavat was plagued by controversies from the beginning. The movie faced opposition from Rajput groups, who claimed that the movie distorted historical facts and portrayed Rani Padmavati in a negative light. They even went to the extent of threatening violence against the filmmakers and actors