Opinion: As a Rajput girl, I believe in Padmavati

Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

I grew up hearing pride sagas of Maharana Pratap, Prithviraj Chauhan, Rana Sanga, Rani Padmini, Rani Lakshmibai and a lot more heroes. My grandmother had a treasure of such heroic tales. From interesting folklores to epic poems written by famous personalities, those bedtime stories gave me the fascination to know Indian history.

When I learned more about Indian history, one thing was very clear that history is always written from the perspective of the victors, not the losers. Victory tales are easier to carry forward to next generation and there are various ways of doing it, such as writing songs, poems, stories, movies etc.

Cinema has a huge impact on the people. Its content, music, theme, location, actors, play an important role in establishing the relation between cinema and society. Movies and TV serials based on history and mythology have lasting impression for decades and sometimes forever.

For instance, Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan was a very popular TV show in India during the 90s. The popular actor Arun Govil who played Ram was actually considered as Lord Ram by many believers. Once, he was beaten up by the people when they caught him smoking.

There are several other examples of such cases where people have gotten into such acts by showing their passion for a particular movie or TV serial.

On the contrary, the protest done by Karni Sena and Rajput communities for the movies Padmavati is entirely different. The movie, which is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and has Deepika Padukone in the lead role, is said to have distorted history.

I don't support the ongoing row but there are people, who are not protesting but have deep-rooted sentiments associated with Rani Padmavati, and their sentiments are unheard. I am waiting for the CBFC's certificate and movie's disclaimer, before that I can not comment on the movie.

When I talk about the disclaimer, there are two ways it can happen, first, either the disclaimer will say that the movie is based on fictional characters but there is the presence of historical characters, such as Rawal Singh and Alauddin Khilji and both have a documented history. Also, if it is based on fiction or myth then, why the name Padmavati is taken? He could have used some other name Leelawati or Mayawati but why Padmavati?

It is not about Padmavati's physical existence but Rajput community believes in Rani Padmavati and that belief is connected to their sentiment. Even Sai Baba was politicised, but many who believed in him still worship him. The controversy that said, "Sai Baba was not a God or a Saint, he should not be worshipped" just benefitted fringe groups and factions. Many of us do believe in God and Goddess but there will always be a question on the existence of God/Goddess as well. But believers are going to believe.

Second, if the disclaimer says that movie is based on real historical characters, then Mr Bhansali is proving the point that Rani Padmavati existed.

Biography of Alauddin was documented by a Persian historian Wassaf and it is one the few sources to learn about Khilji dynasty. Along with Wassaf, Amir Khusrau also has written about Alauddin Khilji.

In the 12th century, Khusrau has documented that Alauddin treated the obedient Hindu zamindars kindly and granted more favours to them than they had expected. He also stated that all the insolent Hindus in the realm of Hind had died on the battlefield and the other Hindus had bowed their heads before Alauddin.

Raja Rawal Singh did not bow his head and was defeated inadequately in the battlefield, though he fought bravely along with his commanders Gora and Badal, but died at the end, leaving behind his two wives and the empire. The wives, Rani Prabhavati and Rani Padmavati had no other option to save their pride and honour from the invaders through self-immolation (Jauhar).

In my opinion, the best way to get rid of such protests around movies, which are based on mythology or history, is to get the script approved by the Censor Board then start the production process. To judge the movie after the release doesn't make any sense. Movies like Padmavati, which has gathered attention will do good business. If the director has made the film to earn profit then its ok otherwise if he is portraying Rajputana pride and honour then the movie must soothe the Rajput communities.

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).