Ranveer dazzles, but spectacle outpaces story in this overlong epic.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical reception for Padmaavat is mixed-to-positive, with the majority of reviewers acknowledging its extraordinary visual scale, production design, and opulence as its defining strengths. Ranveer Singh's performance as Alauddin Khilji emerges as the most consistently praised element across reviews, with multiple critics singling him out as the film's greatest asset. The most common criticism centers on a bloated runtime and a screenplay that many felt prioritized spectacle over dramatic substance, with several reviewers noting the film felt thin or emotionally hollow beneath its lavish surface. A handful of critics also suggested that perceived concessions to political pressure had resulted in a creatively compromised final product.
6 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 24 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
...the film belongs to Ranveer Singh whose delicious performance is its biggest strength. The actor keeps you invested in the film even when it plods on for over two-and-a-half hours. I'm going with three out of five for the film and another half for his extraordinary performance, making it three-and-a-half out of five for Padmaavat.
Top critic
Film review ·
I'm an admirer of Sanjay's passion and rigour, of his operatic sensibility and his commitment to creating epics. He isn't subtle but he always plays for broke. To steal a line from the poet Robert Browning – Sanjay's reach always exceeds his grasp. That's what a heaven's for. This time he doesn't quite get there.
Top critic
Film review ·
If there's one thing that keeps us from brooding too much, it is Ranveer Singh. Not once does he try to make us like him, and that makes us like him even more. As Bhansali's Khilji, he is electric.
Top critic
Film review ·
The problem lies not in Padmaavat being a costume drama, but in the fact that there is too much costume, too little drama. In the film's opening scene, we see a king chewing roughly on a piece of poultry. This is a surprisingly small, tandoori-sized handful of bird, nothing compared to the way we have, in international film and television, watched vikings gnaw at giant animal legs the size of motorcycles. Therein lies the problem. There's not nearly enough meat.
Film review ·
Padmaavat is a work of illimitable splendor. The 3D format seems quite an unnecessary grandeur-enhancement device. When we already have so much to savour and imbibe why hanker for more? This is a film so inured in irradiance and so steeped in splendor you will come away from the experience exhilarated and satiated. This is a movie so epic in proportion it stands tall among the great films of all time about love and war . In Bhansali, we have our own David Lean.Padmavati proves it.
Film review ·
This film is a true tribute to the Rajput pride, their values are princely and though Alauddin Khilji wins the battle by betrayal, he loses the war of his life. Because at the end, the dignified Rajput valour shines brightly. Give it a thorough watch for the stellar performance from the entire cast.
Film review ·
Padmaavat is definitely worth a watch, for its scale, story-telling and stellar performances from the lead.
Film review ·
But lock, stock, barrel and more, the film belongs to that powerhouse actor, Ranveer Singh. He OWNS the film on-screen as much as Bhansali does behind the screen. You loathe his essay of Khilji, look at him with renewed respect as an actor who is less than eight years around but has the rare capacity to bring to life such a deeply evil character. Eyes, body language, smiles or tenor, he proves that dedicated actors can go beyond the vision of a script or even of a passionate director.
Film review ·
Watch Padmaavat for its grandiose, beauty and Ranveer Singh! This is once in a lifetime kind of film which shouldn't be missed in theaters. A personal note for Ranveer fans, you're in for the best treat of your life.
Film review ·
Granted, it could do with a tauter screenplay and shorter run-time but 'Padmaavat' is an entertaining, large canvas experience, brought to life with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's stroke of visual brilliance.
Film review ·
Without the policing and the comprises, Padmavati would've been a lot better film. But Padmaavat isn't anything less. This film is rich in detail, still tells a compelling story with grit and gumption. Sure, the verdict over the jauhar bit will always be open, but the build up to that moment is all class. For a film that doesn't have a surprise for its ending, Padmaavat still manages to create a lot of thrill. It's a must watch!
Film review ·
Sadly, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has made a very feeble and spineless film in Padmaavat, perhaps out of the fear of Karni Sena and the Rajput community. One can only wonder what this movie would have been had Bhansali got the right to fully exercise his creative freedom?
Film review ·
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's latest offering may be titled Padmaavat but it's Ranveer Singh's show all the way. He plunges deep into the sea of evilness to bring the 'monster' to life for 'ek jung husn ke naam'. It may be a doomed love-story for him in the film but Ranveer, you are truly 'Sultan-E-Hind' when it comes to capturing our hearts with your bravura performance
Film review ·
And that feeling of deflation you experience is what makes Padmaavat an inessential film-going exercise. While you applaud the effort, support the artists, uphold freedom of speech and expression, and turn a blind eye to the movie's glorification of jauhar, you are left with the sentiment that there was more that could have been done with lesser, and that Bhansali's shtick might be running its course.
Film review ·
Padmaavat is sparkling, extravagant, dazzling, magnificent and wonderful. It's a feast for the eyes. It leaves you craving for something more meaningful than a mere re-telling of Jayasi's poem. But it has enough to bedazzle you, so go for the sheen and Ranveer Singh's lunacy. After all, Padmaavat has passed so many hurdles to reach you.
Film review ·
It's pretty and partly absorbing but not quite exhilarating...This Bhansali magnum opus is the kind of film that tries too hard to get your attention in the runtime of almost three hours.
Film review ·
Padmaavat is offensively chauvinistic, blatantly right-wing, and quite unabashedly anti-Muslim.
Film review ·
The story of a beautiful, faithful queen and a lustful invader who will stop at nothing is told in three very long hours. The costume drama is beautiful and Rajasthan is a great setting for this tale of Rajput valor. But the talk of pride and glory is so endless, it makes you want to run into your sword out of sheer boredom. But Ranveer Singh makes a brilliant hammy villain, and Deepika is luminous.
Film review ·
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 13th century epic would be infinitely poorer if not for Ranveer Singh's electric performance that ends up exposing the blandness of the others around him...
Film review ·
You want a story. You want good dialogue, not the corny words you are hearing. You want an emotional connect. You want a tighter film. Sadly, with Padmaavat, that's not what you get.
Film review ·
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film is a visual delight and thoroughly entertaining fare, courtesy the epic performance by Ranveer Singh. It talks about Rajput pride and there is nothing that will offend anyone. At least, I couldn't find anything that can be termed offensive in anyway. And there is no dream sequence between Khilji and Padmavati.
Film review ·
I'm not sure whether to feel bad for or be critical of Bhansali. But here's the thing (hello Karni Sena, I am talking to you): your disappointment and disapproval of a film can coexist with the film itself. You can watch a film, and disagree with it, but still not hold a country to ransom. Just a thought.
Film review ·
Padmaavat is a surefire hit and has all the trappings of a blockbuster. If the film is allowed to be screened peacefully all over India, it has the potential to smash box-office records. But opposition by Rajputs and failure of government machinery in various parts of the country, prompting many exhibitors to refrain from screening the film for fear of damage to the cinemas, will definitely take its toll on the film's business unless corrective action is taken soon. The 3D conversion (by Prime Focus) is very well done and that will be an added attraction for the audience as the grand sets look grander in 3D.
Film review ·
The only lessons worth taking from Padmaavat are sartorial, but this thin epic is likely to be parsed for meaning by millions in the coming weeks. When none emerges, we'll likely do what we've always done—fall back on tradition.
Film review ·
Padmaavat has raised the bars in terms of cinematography, music and production design, the film has authentically registered the richness of Rajput Kingdom, the lifestyle of Khiljis and their practices. Though the film's runtime is 163 minutes, it engages you from the start to the end. Special mention to the team who is in charge for the Tamil dubbing, they have done a brilliant job and in fact, we slowly begin to feel as if we are watching a direct Tamil film.
Film review ·
The colours, costumes and jewellery scream luxury and weigh the actors down but very strangely I also felt the glitzy spectacle getting dwarfed in 3D IMAX. The opulence doesn't seem as awe-inspiring, the special effects, especially in some of the battle scenes, are plain tacky and the actors seem like cardboard dolls of themselves in the long shots, acquiring a human visage only in extreme closeups, which is when Deepika Padukone (and Aditi Rao Hydari too) looks extremely regal and radiant, which she anyhow always does.
From our readers
11 ratings · user score 6.8
Wrong Story 😑😑😑 No Gora, No Baadal in Movie. Worst Work of Bhansali Till Date 👎
truly shahid n his character makes the movie normal,infront of fantastic performer of ranveer,u should choose ultimate person like hrithik or so.n there should be one big n strong fight between their armies.
Padmaavat is a craftsman's joy and depicts a lot of elements that currently dictate the world. It's a tragedy film that emphasizes on all the hate and crime that is around us, and concludes that there is only one solution. Watch Padmaavat for the grand production, Ranveer Singh and his character's wickedness, and for a reminder about this tragedy called life. TN.
Director really deserve much applause for converting an epic poem into a narrative to fit the aspect of cinema as this story have many versions. Disappointed with picturisation of Songs(as it is a SLB movie). Song's videos R not of SLB level. BGM,Sets,Cinematography R main highlight. Actors did well as per director's vision. Editing is not good.
Last couple of months had seen violence unleashed in various parts of the country over the release of "Padmaavat". So much so, it had to be postponed by a month & required the involvement of the Supreme Court to hit the screens. Even then there has been no dearth of atrocities with one incident being the stones pelted on a school bus in Gurugram. Incidentally, ever since the project was announced, it had run into rough weather with the Karni Sena who assumed (by their own figment of imagination) that Sanjay Leela's depiction of Rani Padmini wasnt accorded the honour it deserved. So were their arguments valid ??? The film unfolds in the 13th century where Jalaluddhin Khilji (Raza Murad) puts an end to the Mamluk dynasty& establishes himself as the first ruler of the Khilji dynasty. He was assisted in his endeavours by his nephew and son-in-law. Alauddin Khilji (Ranveer Singh). After Alauddin thwarts the Mongol invasion on the Delhi Sultanate & conducts an unsanctioned raid on Devagiri, his uncle rewards him with a slave Malik Kafur (Jim Sarbh). But Alauddin had his eyes on a bigger prize & kills his uncle to usurp the throne. In another part of the land, Maharawal Ratan Singh (Shahid Kapoor) married the Singala princess Padmavati (Deepika Padukone) & brought her to Mewar. The news of her beauty & intelligence, travelled far & wide and it also reached the ears of Alauddin. As he always craved for unique creations, he decided to acquire Rani Padmini by any means possible. But the Rajput valour & honour was something he had not fathomed. Based on the epic poem "Padmavat" written in the 16th century by the Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi, the story is a concoction of fact & fiction. Even the historical authenticity of the events mentioned in the poem itself cant be verified as Jayasi himself had mentioned that he had made up the story and related it.Whatever might be the case, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has made an excellent movie in terms of richness, elegance & sheer scale. But the plot as such is rather thin & the pace is sluggish at times. However, it still keeps us engrossed courtesy of Sanjay's mastery over his craft & the build up as well as execution of jauhar in the climax deserves special praise. On the technical side, it is top notch in pretty much all the departments be it the visuals by Sudeep Chatterjee, costumes by Harpreet, Maxima, Chandrakant & Ajay or the art direction by Subrata Chakraborthy & Amit Ray. The BGM by Sanchit Balhara was in sync with the mood of the movie while the music tracks by Sanjay Leela were also decent. When it comes to performance, Ranveer Singh was brilliant as the flamboyant nasty no holds barred Khilji. Deepika Padukone has done an impressive job as well along with Shahid Kapoor. As for the rest, each & everyone of them have done justice to their roles. Verdict: Without a shadow of doubt, the film is a brilliant tribute to the valour & principles of the Rajput clan. I seriously fail to understand why Karni Sena is creating all this ruckus as the Rajputs & Rani Padmini are shown in the best way possible. Despite the restrictions, the film has fared decently at the box office & should continue to attract attention at the box office. In short, surely check it out!!! Rating: 3.5/5 Regards...Ben
I rewatched Bajirao Mastani after seeing padmavat. This could be one of bhanshalis most underwhelming movie. Watch it for a wonderful cinematic experience and the brilliant portrayal of Khilji by ranveer Singh.
'Padmaavat' is a surely valiant effort. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is ever-popular for magnificence his work carries. The aesthetic and glamour walk hand-in-hand with a charming love story which works with superb story-telling. 'Padmaavat' succeeds in this. The first half is especially an intriguing, effortless display of royalty and narrative strands pulled off. But at the end of the first half itself you start getting idea of what has to come in the second half. And the problems woth 'Padmaavat' just wrap your seat in the second half. You know the story already: it has been penned variously, the more popular one belonging to Malik Muhammad Jaisi, the Awadhi version being the claimed source material to this one. While I can't say how aunthetical is it as an an adaptation, I must say this Bhansali version is very contemporary. And that's good. The characters aren't delving into artificiality, and still their lives are flights of fancy. The film has blazing ideas about infidelity, homosexuality and feminism, and they are personified in the well etched out characters like Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji and Malik Kafur. The performances are superb. Shahid Kapoor is more than a sensual king as Rana Ratan Singh, though he and Anupriya Goenka (as Ratan's first wife, the template Bhansali first love Maharani Nagmati) are given little screen work. Deepika Padukone's role as Maharani Padmavati, although a little too less to be her story, gives the feminist identity of the glorious Rajput queen and totally nails everything from her style to her slick words, penned by Prakash Kapadia. But the magical performance of the film has been delivered by Alauddin Khilji. As the Delhi Sultan who is treacherous and evil, he personifies an unlikeable likeability, like he will act in an indie film of sorts. His expressive passion to conquer the best of beauties is something so admirable, he is actually one of the best performers of the year. For sure. But the film, especially in the second half, is a total drag. While it continues the majestic saga with conviction, its characters don't lift off as they could have. Raghav Chetan's character especially loses fizz. The combat scenes are clumsy and second-rate show. But still, Ranveer's performance as Khilji is enough for you to root with the film in all its flaws. I'm going with 3 stars out of 5 and going as far to say that it's one of the better Hindi films of the year. I will recommend that you see it. It's an unusal Bhansali film.
Credits
Deepika PadukoneRani Padmini
Shahid KapoorRawal Ratan Singh
Ranveer SinghAlauddin Khilji
Jim SarbhMalik Naib Kafur
Raza MuradJalaluddin Khilji – the founder and first Sultan of the Khilji dynasty of the Delhi SultanateHe was deposed by his nephew and son-in-law Alauddin, who murdered his uncle to acquire the throne.
Aditi Rao HydariKamala Devi
Anupriya GoenkaNagmati – first wife and chief queen of Ratan Singh according to PadmavatNagmati and her husband's second wife, Padmavati, didn't get along too well but they performed jauhar together after Alauddin Khilji attacked Chittor.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Bhansali Productions
Sanchit Balhara
Sudeep ChatterjeeHindi films like Padmaavat
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