Panipat
Star cast: Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Bahl, Padmini Kolhapure, Nawab Khan
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
After the epic failure of Mohenjodaro, Ashutosh Gowariker has returned with another magnum opus Panipat. With a terrific star cast (Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon), grandeur and scale, and a director of Gowariker’s caliber you expect nothing short of a sure-shot winner. But does Panipat meet the massive expectations of viewers or crash down like some of the highly-anticipated magnum opus fares have in the past?
For the uninitiated Panipat is based on the third battle of Panipat that took place on January 14, 1761 between the Marathas and the King of Afghanistan Ahmad Shah Abdali. Arjun Kapoor plays the great warrior Sadashiv Rao Bhau who was also the nephew of Nana Sahab Peshwa while Kriti Sanon plays his wife Paravati bai. Sanjay Dutt is seen as the mighty King of Afghans Ahmad Shah Abdali.
Sadashiv Rao Bhau (Arjun Kapoor), opens the film with a heavy-duty war scene where he successfully conquers Udgir Fort ending the rule of Nizam and adding another feather in the cap of Maratha dynasty. Viewers get a small glimpse of his presence of mind and strategic skills in this short but impactful war sequence which precedes the third battle of Panipat that gives a spine-chilling finish to an otherwise full film.
Sadashiv is a committed and able warrior who at first is reluctant to enjoy family life having suffered the consequences of war himself in his growing up years. Parvati (Kriti Sanon), daughter of Rajya Vaidya is in love with Sadashiv from the time she first saw him in Shanivar Vaada without knowing he’s a Peshwa.
Parvati’s intentions are doubted by Gopika Bai (Padmini Kolhapure) who feels she wants to marry Sadashiv for money and throne. But then Gopika bai is also insecure about Sadashiv claiming his stake on the throne instead of her sons.
Soon, Sadashiv realises his love for Parvati and gets married to her despite Gopika’s objection.
Sadashiv and Marathas are unaware of Najib-ud-Daula weaving a plan to destroy Marathas by joining hands with Ahmad Shah Abdali. He is the real villain of the film as Abdali was not initially in the favour of a war but acts on Najib-ud-Daula’s instigation.
Panipat is not just about the actual battle that led to a loss of resources, men and relationships, but the politics surrounding the battle and the events that transpired right before it. Had Gopika bai realized the consequences of her power-hunger, she could have saved Marathas from the impending doom.
Panipat could have been a much superior movie had it been edited more crisply. The portions where Sadashiv is garnering support of kings and Abdali is outsmarting him might seem relevant to the screenplay, but fall short on storytelling. It makes the film a drag for viewers.
The battle part is certainly the most gripping portion of the film and keeps one on the edge of their seats. One scene that particularly stands out is Parvati bai’s presence of mind. When Afghan soldiers reach the Maratha women, Parvati bai asks everyone to use the sand to block their vision. She then quickly picks up a sword from the ground and fights bravely.
The scene where Sanjay Dutt’s Ahmad Shah Abdali comes face to face with Arjun Kapoor’s Sadashiv and the latter doesn’t agree to his terms proves to be a decisive moment from the film and also impactful. The scenes where they make strategies to attack each other too are fascinating.
One aspect where the film lacks is emotions. A movie where devastation of such level is shown should have been more intense emotionally. Barring a few scenes of Arjun and Kriti where the former asks the latter to not perform sati, and the collapse of Sadashiv, there are not many scenes that tug at your heart strings.
Talking of performances, Abdali’s (Sanjay Dutt) act doesn’t do justice to his spectacular get-up. From dialogue delivery to his body language, there was immense scope for the original khalnayak of Bollywood to show his mettle, but he somewhere fails.
Arjun Kapoor is quite good but this is not his career-defining role. He was in fact better in Ishaqzaade and Gunday. But the hard work he puts in his role is visible. From perfecting his accent to putting his heart and soul in his character, he deserves full points for trying to make the role memorable.
Kriti Sanon is a revelation in the film. She is the one who brightens up the screen with her chirpy, lively presence. Besides, she looks so authentic as a Maratha woman and looks perfectly at ease playing Parvati bai. Hats off to Gowariker for thinking of casting her because she perfectly fits the bill.
Overall Panipat has a good package but lacks soul. And we fear it is more of a Mohenjodaro than a Jodhaa Akbar.
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