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Padmaavat movie review and reactions: Day 1 Highlights

After facing the ire of fringe outfits for months, Padmaavat, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, has hit screens today. Follow our blog for the latest updates about the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial.

By: Express Web Desk | Mumbai |
Updated: January 25, 2018 8:09:00 pm
Padmaavat release Deepika Padukone plays Rani Padmavati in Padmaavat.

Want to know what critics, celebrities and fans are saying about Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor starrer Padmaavat? Follow our live blog for all the latest updates about the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial:

8:00 pm: The film opened amid tight security but so far the audience is displaying their enthusiasm to catch Bhansali’s magnum-opus. See this space tomorrow for more updates on Padmaavat.

7:00 pm: Indianexpress.com’s Sampada Sharma says, “With all the fuss around it, I was really looking forward to Padmaavat but the film doesn’t match up to your expectations. The story comes in much later and it’s too little for a three hour film. Of course, the sets and costumes are exemplary but the film does not hold your attention. I found myself checking the clock many times and the interval point provided a sigh of relief. Way too much Rajput-ness and your’re left wondering what the fuss was all about. If anything the Rajputs should be thankful to Bhansali for glorifying their bad decision making.”

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6:25 pm: This is what the audience has to say about Padmaavat.

5:40 pm: “Padmaavat is a homage to the Rajput community. I am from Rajasthan, myself, and I didn’t find anything wrong in the film that such a huge controversy was created around it. Film’s sets and effects are on the top. I would give it five full stars.” a viewer from Rajasthan, who was in Mumbai for a holiday, told our reporter in Mumbai.

Read: What’s the fuss about, ask viewers after watching Padmaavat

5:20 pm: A look at some of the jokes spawned by Padmaavat:

4:45 pm: “Occupancy for Padmaavat in Delhi theaters at around 60%. In Mumbai, it is 40-45%. The response is positive,” says Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India member.

4:20 pm: In a never seen before expression of fandom, Deepika Padukone’s fans formed a club – Dp1stDay1stShow  – to celebrate the first show of the actress’ magnum opus Padmaavat. Touched by the fans’ reactions, Deepika Padukone took to Twitter to express her gratitude towards her fans. The actress wrote:

3:40 pm: Audiences and critics have lauded Ranveer Singh’s turns as Alauddin Khalji in Padmaavati. Now, Maxim (real name Keith Palmer) of the cult international electronic music band Prodigy is the latest to have been bowled over by Ranveer. The vocalist shared a screenshot of Ranveer in his evil Alauddin Khilji get-up and commented “The film looks fire. Big Up @ranveersingh” on social media. As ecstatic Ranveer Singh replied to his post saying, ‘’Thank you so much for this, Keeti! You recognizing my work means the world to me. I worship you as a performer. Your spirit thrives in me and propels me in everything that I do. I channel the fire that you ignite in me whenever I go out and perform. With your blessings, I feel invincible. May your aura always be my light. More power to You. – Your humble disciple, your Solider, your Warrior.”

3:20 pm: The first box office figures of Padmaavat are in. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted:

2:40 pm: Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta tweeted, “So Padmaavat has released. Watch it, fellow Indians, for it is our right to see anything we want. And then lavish love or hate or indifference upon it, because that is our right too.”

Read the movie review of Padmaavat

2:15 pm: 50-60 percent occupancy in cinema halls for Padmaavat. Film buffs have expressed fear over coming to watch the period drama.

1:45 pm: Yesterday, we asked our readers whether they are going to watch Padmaavat and here’s what they said. Are you going to watch the film? Tell us in the comment section below.

1:15 pm: Trade analyst Girish Johar says Padmaavat will earn Rs 4 to 5 crore approximately from the paid previews on Wednesday.

12:45 pm: Movie buffs are going gaga over Padmaavat:

12:15 pm: Indianexpress.com’s Prachi Kadam says, “The movie lives up to its name by giving you grandeur in true Rajputi style. While the valour shown by Rajput women towards the climax is debatable in today’s time, Deepika justifies her role of a Rajputana Queen. Shahid in his limited space is good with his dialogues and acting. But it’s a Khilji movie I saw. Ranveer is a bundle of excellence and takes the character to another level where you can see him take cues from Heath Ledger’s Joker act in The Dark Knight to also Christian Bale from American Psycho. He is so immersed in his acting that he convinces us that he is a super crazy man thriving only in his own glory. This movie is an example of what Ranveer Singh can deliver and also not to forget the surprise package Jim Sarbh.”

11:40 am: Indianexpress.com’s Manoj Kumar says, “Director Sanjay Leela Bansali’s Padmaavat is about a Rajput royal couple (Shahid Kapoor and Deepika Padukone), whose uncompromising pride and belief in their creed get tested by a tyrant king played by Ranveer Singh. The drama set in the 14 century has allowed the director to bring his grand imagination alive on the big screen. It is a visual ecstasy, whose beauty is in the details of the spectacular set pieces. It has a solid star cast, who have played their given roles with conviction. But, it’s always the devil that gets the best lines. Ranveer steals the show with his blood-thirsty, lovelorn, megalomaniac performance.”

11:10 am: Indianexpress.com’s Kameshwari Ayyala says, “From the beginning till the end of Padmaavat, this Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film only belongs to Ranveer Singh who makes you hate him as Allaudin Khilji. You can’t help but fall for the actor this man is. His devilish appearance, behaviour and the mad dance, everything gives you goosebumps. He is the only highlight of the film apart from the climax where finally we see the power and courage of Rajput women. For the first time, SLB fails to entice with his grandeur set but the music is beautiful. Shahid Kapoor has nothing much to do in the film apart from keeping his eyes wide-open. The director kept him quite busy in portraying the greatness of Rajput which made his character lose all the importance. His righteousness, at times, makes you yawn. In short, while I hated being in the theater for so long expecting something to happen, Ranveer made the experience bearable.”

10:50 am: Indianexpress.com’s Komal Panchal says, “Padmaavat is just what you expect from Sanjay Leela Bhansali, but a little less. SLB makes sure that every frame of the film is a piece of art, the production is grand and his vision is enchanting. Deepika Padukone as Padmavati adorns the screen with her beauty and her eyes express all the emotions required for the film. Shahid Kapoor as Rajput king Rawal Ratan Singh is dressed to impress, but his talent is under-used. Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji is monstrous and a little over the top. However, Singh is the one who holds the film together. The drama is slow. The action is in slow motion, but watching this film is an experience. The production quality and the background score will stay with you for a longer time.”

10:20 am: Padmaavat was on Wednesday cleared for release in Pakistan. “Padmaavat has been declared fit for public exhibition in the cinema houses without any excision by Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC),” Censor board official Mobashir Hasan told IANS.

Read: Padmaavat cleared for release in Pakistan

10 am: Neil Nitin Mukesh, who attended a special screening of Padmaavat last night, tweeted:

9:40 am: Planning to watch Padmaavat today? Here are five reasons why you should watch the Ranveer Singh film:

Padmaavat movie review: It is spectacular; no one can do spectacle like Bhansali

9:20 am: According to trade analyst Ramesh Bala, Padmavaat preview shows opened to packed houses on Wednesday evening. Here is look at what fans are saying about the Deepika Padukone starrer:

9 am: In a quick chat with indianexpress.com, trade analyst Girish Johar remarked that Padmaavat would definitely have made a staggering opening collection of Rs 20 crore had it released under normal conditions. Talking about the cinema-goers, Johar quipped, “At the end of the day, viewers are only looking to be entertained and they would avoid getting into a ruckus, as much as possible. Therefore, the advance bookings of Padmaavat have also been affected in that regard. While in some cities, the bookings are as strong as ever, there are also some pockets where people have showed little or no interest in the advance booking of the tickets. Mostly, people have found it wise to take a back seat currently and give the current situation a day or two and then take a decision about watching the film in cinema halls.”

Read: Padmaavat box office prediction

8:40 am: The makers of Padmaavat on Thursday morning released new character posters:

Padmaavat review Padmaavat review Padmaavat review

Read: LIVE updates: Padmaavat in theatres today, security beefed up across states

8:20 am: Alia Bhatt, who attended a special screening of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial, heaped praise on the cast and crew of Padmaavat:

8 am: After months of maintaining a stoic silence, the film’s lead actors Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh opened up about the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial on Wednesday evening. At HT India’s Most Stylish Awards 2018, Deepika Padukone said, “Padmaavat has been through so much. To see it finally releasing and the reaction it is getting is extremely overwhelming. I am very excited for the release tomorrow. Big day for all of us. On behalf of the entire crew, we want to thank you for being so supportive.”

She added, “It’s time for us to celebrate and see the film do wonders at the box office. The best response is the one we give to someone through the work we do. This time, I am excited about the box office because it is going to be earth shattering.”

Following Deepika, Shahid Kapoor talked about playing Maharawal Ratan Singh in the much-awaited period drama. “Prior to Padmaavat, I was nervous because people know very less of my character (in the film). It’s a very important film for me. It’s tough to essay a role like this. I feel thankful & honored. We have done everything. It’s time for people to decide what they feel,” Shahid told reporters at the HT event.

Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh took to Twitter to express his excitement over the release of Padmaavat. He tweeted;

7:30 am: Planning to watch Padmaavat today? Before booking your tickets, make sure you read Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta’s take on the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial: Padmaavat movie review: A relentlessly opulent, magnificently-mounted paean to Rajput ‘aan baan shaan’

In the review, Shubhra Gupta says, “All those agitating over how Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat would trample all over Rajput pride, you may rest easy: the director didn’t need a memo from the Karni Sena and all the other self-styled ‘armies’ on keeping it ‘sanskaari’ – his entire film is a relentlessly opulent, magnificently-mounted paean to Rajput ‘aan baan shaan’.”

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