‘Panipat’ might be an engaging period drama

Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker is making a return to the theatres with Panipat, a lavishly mounted historical war drama starring Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Bahl, Zeenat Aman and Padmini Kolhapure.

The director of ambitious big-budget films like Lagaan (2001), Swades (2004) and Jodhaa Akbar (2008), Gowariker has raised high expectations from his upcoming offering that will hit the marquee next month

Mohenjo Daro (2016), his last film, was a failure. Starring Hrithik Roshan, the film set in the Indus Valley Civilisation of 2016 BC was an attempt to re-create an era buried deep in time. Criticised for historical accuracies and poor writing, the film impressed few and tanked.

Panipat is a slice of history from the 18th century, an era much closer to us. The film's plot is about the circumstances leading to the Third Battle of Panipat fought between the Maratha army and the invading Afghans and their allies for the control of a significant part of India.

The Maratha army was led by its Sardar Senapati or Commander-in-Chief Sadashivrao Bhau, the nephew of Peshwa Bajirao I. The Afghans and their allies were led by Ahmad Shah Abdali, the founder of the Durrani Empire, who is also regarded as the founder of the modern state of Afghanistan. Fought on 14th January 1761, the battle resulted in a convincing triumph for Abdali and his allies.

Panipat’s trailer indicates that the film portrays the circumstances from the Maratha point of view. Arjun Kapoor plays Sadashivrao Bhau, who is shown as a patriotic warrior and commander prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice while defending his empire. Kriti Sanon is Parvatibai, Bhau’s supportive second wife, who was married to him after the death of Umabai, his first wife.

Mohnish Bahl plays what appears to be an author-backed character of Nanasaheb Peshwa, the son of Bajirao I, who became Peshwa after his father’s death. Seen in a substantial role after a long time, Padmini Kolhapure plays Gopikabai, his wife.

Panipat would have no story without Ahmad Shah Abdali, the powerful Afghan ruler and invader played by Sanjay Dutt. The viewer is told that Abdali has set out on his mission with 100,000 troops, which doesn’t deter the Marathas. Dutt’s character seems like an inebriated caricature, which may not appeal to everybody.

A trailer deceives quite often. Whatever little it has shared suggests that Bahl is impressive as the Peshwa. Kapoor seems to be at ease in his role, while Sanon and Kolhapure have well-written parts of varying length as well.

While one must wait and see how the film has shaped up, good cinematography (CK Muraleedharan) and lovely costumes that represent the era appropriately attract one's attention. We see a few moments of a war sequence, and that's most impressive.

Many viewers are eager to know about Zeenat Aman’s character. The actress, who had starred opposite Gowariker in Gawaahi (1989), is Sakina Begum, a strong character who leads her province of Hoshiyarganj. Gowariker has shared that the begum stays away from regional politics until Bhau turns to her for help.

Many fans of historical dramas have been waiting for the release of Panipat. The trailer is engaging, although it may not have revealed much about the film.