Review of Panipat . . .
Nowadays length of the film matters more in favor of audiences who will always prefer to watch 2 hours long film rather than 3 hours. Film is known as 3 hours long picturization but from past some years hardly any film comes which is having 3 hours long length because audiences have no time to get bored for 3 hours if they're getting the entertainment into 2 hours. Still inspite of keeping this beside some film makers we have who always make long running timing films such as Sooraj Barjatya, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ashutosh Gowariker and some more.
Their stories either must be having a long scale portraying on large canvases or it must be some research based historical drama which can't be told in just 2 hours so they have to make it at least more than two and half hours long to tell the story appropriately.
Ashutosh Gowariker is a director who makes lengthy films all the time whether it was Lagaan, Jodha Akbar, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se or Swades all of his films is having more than 2 and half hour run time but plus point is here for his films length doesn't matter for audiences because of engaging screenplay. Ashutosh Gowariker is fantastic in characterization whether it was Mohan or Bhuvan his character building and deep detailed characterization keeps the audiences on the seat for 3 hours. People don't get bored because of it's large canvas presentation.
Ashutosh made Jodha Akbar but it was historical film not a pure war drama even i remembered it as a romantic tale of Jodha & Akbar undoubtedly Hrithik nailed it as Akbar that I can't even imagine anyone else later in lead warrior after i watched Hrithik as Akbar. I watched it later not at the time of release and i regretted for not watching Jodha-Akbar in theatre. It was a truly masterpiece.
Panipat is a story of third battle took place at Panipat between the Marathas and Afghanistan's Kandahar's brutal king Ahmad Shah Abdali (Sanjay Dutt) who enters in Hindostan and wants to achieve Delhi. At that time Peshwa Nanasaheb (Peshwa Nanasaheb) comes to know about it and decides to stop Abdali from doing this. He sends Sadashiv Rao Bhau (Arjun Kapoor) to stop him and story goes on like a biopic of Sadashiv Rao Bhau aka Raya. When trailer released not only me but many of film lovers weren't ready to accept Arjun Kapoor is playing Maratha warrior and in the lead role of Panipat. Trailer was good everyone appreciated Baba's negative role but unfortunately people weren't happy with the lead actor. I was also feeling the same that i have seen Hrithik & Ranveer in this type of roles but will Arjun Kapoor justify the character?
Due to busy schedule i couldn't go for first day but later on Saturday i went into night show i came to know on Saturday that it got opening of only around 4CR which is very less for such a big budgeted film Ashutosh made. Even in night show second day occupancy was hardly 30-40%. Reviews were mixed so only word of mouth could help for collection because fact is Arjun is not a crowd puller while Baba's fans will definitely go but that won't create something big.
Film starts with the narration by leading female actor Kriti Sanon who's playing role of Parvatibai and i think it's the best idea of narration from her point of view. Credits to Ashutosh for not making a female character only supporting as being a good wife but here Parvatibai is having a solid crucial role from starting to end.
Film's length is i think 2 hours and 50 minutes but in this so called war film the only one battle takes place in last 20-25 minutes in Panipat. In the entry scene there is a one small fight sequence but can't consider as a pure fighting scene.
Many stories are untold in the history of India and some brave film makers like Ashutosh takes it into the hand and presenting it to the audiences. Story of the battle of Panipat is patriotic and make us informed about the Marathas bravery & honor of Sadashiv Rao Bhau.
Story telling is in extraordinary way like as always in his films. Direction is also very engaging many scenes make sense. Some detailed informative scenes are there which proves Ashutosh Gowariker is a master of story telling. Writing work is quite simple but somehow suits to the script. Several dialogues on Delhi is resemblance to the current Indian political situations but i personally felt that neither protagonist nor antagonist are having dialogues massy or catchy which is needed for making audiences impress.
Cinematography is magnificent kudos to C.K. Murlidharan for brilliantly capturing battle ground scenes, fort scenes, river scenes etc. Actually there is a lot to write always on DOP of films of Ashutosh or SLB.
Background Score by Ajay-Atul is very nice but quite hype in Abdali's scenes which I didn't like much but overall it's nice. Specially Mard Maratha song composition is very very very nice and fitted at the right place and also creates impact in end. Costume job is quite good most of the time Nanasaheb and Sadashiv Rao Bhau wearing white shows positive side.
Performances plays pivotal role in making this type of films worth watch. Arjun Kapoor a lead actor who's as protagonist unfortunately in my personal opinion not a great choice for this role. He undoubtedly gave his best but in this role he is not suitable hatz off to him for efforts he has given but sometimes we can't connect with the character.
Kriti Sanon as Parvatibai OMG this is her best performance till date. In most of her films she's playing an ordinary role or small role in multi starrer films or just rom com types roles she played in her career but this one is her finest and honest role till date. Finally she emerged as a good actress who's not there to add glamour only but also plays pivotal role in the film. She's so good in her part and not only lends support to Sadashiv Rao Bhau but also fights in one scene which is mind blowing. Her emotional scenes make her good performer. Loved the way she is narrating the story. Hatz off.
There is also one character Samsher Bahadur who is son Bajirao-Mastani and who's living Muslim way of life. Here point to be noted is Sadashiv Rao Bhau doesn't discriminate Hindus or Muslim as he believed that Chhtrapati Shivaji also had Muslim supporters in his team.
One more good Muslim character here is Ibrahim Khan Gardi played by Nawab Shah which is terrifying. He has done superb job & suits in his role.
Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenam Aman & Mohnish Bahl lends very good support. They are appropriate in their roles. Specially Mohnish Bahl nailed it.
Lastly Ahmad Shah Abdali played by Sanjay Dutt looks terrific in Afghani but unfortunately like protagonist i also not impressed much with antagonist. What Allaudin Khilji did sadly Abdali not that much impressive. I love to see Baba in negative role can't forget Agneepath but here he looks devilish, his scenes are terrifying but his dialogues & accents are not matching with the character. Like i said earlier neither protagonist not antagonist having deadly dialogues & Abdali is from Afghanistan but not having a proper Urdu accent. I'm shocked why Ashutosh let it happen. Role of Abdali could have been a way better if it was more realistic.
Overall Ashutosh did good job but it could have been great. Lastly it was one time watch for me not a masterpiece like Jodha-Akbar or any historical film to be remembered for a long time.
For sweat of Ashutosh and his team for it's large scale presentation
3.2/5.
--- by Harsh Desai Filmy . . .
Nowadays length of the film matters more in favor of audiences who will always prefer to watch 2 hours long film rather than 3 hours. Film is known as 3 hours long picturization but from past some years hardly any film comes which is having 3 hours long length because audiences have no time to get bored for 3 hours if they're getting the entertainment into 2 hours. Still inspite of keeping this beside some film makers we have who always make long running timing films such as Sooraj Barjatya, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ashutosh Gowariker and some more.
Their stories either must be having a long scale portraying on large canvases or it must be some research based historical drama which can't be told in just 2 hours so they have to make it at least more than two and half hours long to tell the story appropriately.
Ashutosh Gowariker is a director who makes lengthy films all the time whether it was Lagaan, Jodha Akbar, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se or Swades all of his films is having more than 2 and half hour run time but plus point is here for his films length doesn't matter for audiences because of engaging screenplay. Ashutosh Gowariker is fantastic in characterization whether it was Mohan or Bhuvan his character building and deep detailed characterization keeps the audiences on the seat for 3 hours. People don't get bored because of it's large canvas presentation.
Ashutosh made Jodha Akbar but it was historical film not a pure war drama even i remembered it as a romantic tale of Jodha & Akbar undoubtedly Hrithik nailed it as Akbar that I can't even imagine anyone else later in lead warrior after i watched Hrithik as Akbar. I watched it later not at the time of release and i regretted for not watching Jodha-Akbar in theatre. It was a truly masterpiece.
Panipat is a story of third battle took place at Panipat between the Marathas and Afghanistan's Kandahar's brutal king Ahmad Shah Abdali (Sanjay Dutt) who enters in Hindostan and wants to achieve Delhi. At that time Peshwa Nanasaheb (Peshwa Nanasaheb) comes to know about it and decides to stop Abdali from doing this. He sends Sadashiv Rao Bhau (Arjun Kapoor) to stop him and story goes on like a biopic of Sadashiv Rao Bhau aka Raya. When trailer released not only me but many of film lovers weren't ready to accept Arjun Kapoor is playing Maratha warrior and in the lead role of Panipat. Trailer was good everyone appreciated Baba's negative role but unfortunately people weren't happy with the lead actor. I was also feeling the same that i have seen Hrithik & Ranveer in this type of roles but will Arjun Kapoor justify the character?
Due to busy schedule i couldn't go for first day but later on Saturday i went into night show i came to know on Saturday that it got opening of only around 4CR which is very less for such a big budgeted film Ashutosh made. Even in night show second day occupancy was hardly 30-40%. Reviews were mixed so only word of mouth could help for collection because fact is Arjun is not a crowd puller while Baba's fans will definitely go but that won't create something big.
Film starts with the narration by leading female actor Kriti Sanon who's playing role of Parvatibai and i think it's the best idea of narration from her point of view. Credits to Ashutosh for not making a female character only supporting as being a good wife but here Parvatibai is having a solid crucial role from starting to end.
Film's length is i think 2 hours and 50 minutes but in this so called war film the only one battle takes place in last 20-25 minutes in Panipat. In the entry scene there is a one small fight sequence but can't consider as a pure fighting scene.
Many stories are untold in the history of India and some brave film makers like Ashutosh takes it into the hand and presenting it to the audiences. Story of the battle of Panipat is patriotic and make us informed about the Marathas bravery & honor of Sadashiv Rao Bhau.
Story telling is in extraordinary way like as always in his films. Direction is also very engaging many scenes make sense. Some detailed informative scenes are there which proves Ashutosh Gowariker is a master of story telling. Writing work is quite simple but somehow suits to the script. Several dialogues on Delhi is resemblance to the current Indian political situations but i personally felt that neither protagonist nor antagonist are having dialogues massy or catchy which is needed for making audiences impress.
Cinematography is magnificent kudos to C.K. Murlidharan for brilliantly capturing battle ground scenes, fort scenes, river scenes etc. Actually there is a lot to write always on DOP of films of Ashutosh or SLB.
Background Score by Ajay-Atul is very nice but quite hype in Abdali's scenes which I didn't like much but overall it's nice. Specially Mard Maratha song composition is very very very nice and fitted at the right place and also creates impact in end. Costume job is quite good most of the time Nanasaheb and Sadashiv Rao Bhau wearing white shows positive side.
Performances plays pivotal role in making this type of films worth watch. Arjun Kapoor a lead actor who's as protagonist unfortunately in my personal opinion not a great choice for this role. He undoubtedly gave his best but in this role he is not suitable hatz off to him for efforts he has given but sometimes we can't connect with the character.
Kriti Sanon as Parvatibai OMG this is her best performance till date. In most of her films she's playing an ordinary role or small role in multi starrer films or just rom com types roles she played in her career but this one is her finest and honest role till date. Finally she emerged as a good actress who's not there to add glamour only but also plays pivotal role in the film. She's so good in her part and not only lends support to Sadashiv Rao Bhau but also fights in one scene which is mind blowing. Her emotional scenes make her good performer. Loved the way she is narrating the story. Hatz off.
There is also one character Samsher Bahadur who is son Bajirao-Mastani and who's living Muslim way of life. Here point to be noted is Sadashiv Rao Bhau doesn't discriminate Hindus or Muslim as he believed that Chhtrapati Shivaji also had Muslim supporters in his team.
One more good Muslim character here is Ibrahim Khan Gardi played by Nawab Shah which is terrifying. He has done superb job & suits in his role.
Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenam Aman & Mohnish Bahl lends very good support. They are appropriate in their roles. Specially Mohnish Bahl nailed it.
Lastly Ahmad Shah Abdali played by Sanjay Dutt looks terrific in Afghani but unfortunately like protagonist i also not impressed much with antagonist. What Allaudin Khilji did sadly Abdali not that much impressive. I love to see Baba in negative role can't forget Agneepath but here he looks devilish, his scenes are terrifying but his dialogues & accents are not matching with the character. Like i said earlier neither protagonist not antagonist having deadly dialogues & Abdali is from Afghanistan but not having a proper Urdu accent. I'm shocked why Ashutosh let it happen. Role of Abdali could have been a way better if it was more realistic.
Overall Ashutosh did good job but it could have been great. Lastly it was one time watch for me not a masterpiece like Jodha-Akbar or any historical film to be remembered for a long time.
For sweat of Ashutosh and his team for it's large scale presentation
3.2/5.
--- by Harsh Desai Filmy . . .
