FILM · 2018 · INDIA
Padmaavat
143 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (143)
- #001
The set was destroyed repeatedly.
- #002
Although it is the third film featuring both Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh (excluding Singh's cameo appearance in Padukone's Finding Fanny), the two share no scenes together in Padmaavat.
- #003
Deepika Padukone was paid 12 crore rupees (about 1.5 million euros or 1.9 million US dollars) for the lead role, a new milestone for Bollywood actresses.
- #004
During the climax scene, Ranveer Singh was so immersed in the role of Alauddin Khilji that he forgot he was bleeding badly. After the director cut the scene, Ranveer was taken to hospital and given stitches.
- #005
Unlike Bajirao Mastani (2015), Sanjay Leela Bhansali had wanted Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai for the film years earlier, but the two actors were not speaking to each other. Salman Khan agreed to do the film. Aishwarya Rai set the condition that she would do the film only if Salman Khan played the negative character of Alauddin Khilji, since they would have no scenes together. Salman Khan did not accept this condition.
- #006
The title was changed from Padmavati, the name of the historical/fictional character, to Padmaavat, the poem written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi on which the film is based. The name change came after large protests by Rajput communities objecting to the claim that the filmmakers had distorted history in a way that demeaned Rani Padmavati. It was the Censor Board that proposed the change to indicate that the film is a work of fiction.
- #007
Ranveer Singh locked himself in his house for 21 days to get into the character of Alauddin Khilji.
- #008
Hrithik Roshan and Fawad Khan were considered for the role of Raja Rawal Ratan Singh. Salman Khan was offered the villain role but turned it down.
- #009
The film was insured for 160 crore INR against possible losses after its release.
- #010
Sanjay Leela Bhansali worked as an assistant editor on the television adaptation of Shyam Benegal's Bharat Ek Khoj (1988), which was based on Jawaharlal Nehru's The Discovery of India (1946) and included an episode about Padmavat in which Om Puri played Alauddin Khilji.
- #011
Sanjay Leela Bhansali was attacked by the Rajput Karni Sena while filming at Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur, damaging the set. The attackers claimed that the character of Maharani Padmini, who did much for their community, was shown as having a romantic angle with Alauddin Khilji. After this attack, many big names in the film industry gave Sanjay Leela Bhansali their support. During the film's shooting in Kolhapur in March 2017, the crew was attacked again and the sets were destroyed. People armed with gas bombs, stones and lathis attacked and set the set on fire, injured animals and destroyed numerous costumes.
- #012
Kabir Bedi's appearance as the character Sandokan was the main inspiration for the look of Ranveer Singh's character Alauddin Khilji.
- #013
Jalaluddin Khilji is portrayed as an arrogant, cunning and cruel man. In reality he was popular for being a gentle, humble and devout ruler.
- #014
The scene in which Raza Murad slaps Ranveer Singh was shot in 24 takes, and his face was reddened from being slapped too many times for the perfect shot.
- #015
The film's budget exceeds that of Bajirao Mastani and approaches Rs 180 crores.
- #016
The film was originally set to release on 17 November 2017. It was then postponed to 1 December 2017. A few days before the film's release, the censor board demanded a new guild ruling stating that a director must submit their film to the censor board 60 days before release in order to obtain a censorship certificate. It finally managed to open on 25 January 2018. Akshay Kumar was to release his film Padman on the same day but postponed it at Sanjay Leela Bhansali's request. 25 January 2018 had been reserved as the premiere date for Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar's film 2.0, because the film's special effects were not finished. Akshay Kumar decided to release Padman, while Neeraj Pandey also fixed the same date for Aiyaary. Because of Padmavati's release, many filmmakers had to change their films' release dates.
- #017
Harish Salve, the lawyer representing Sanjay Leela Bhansali in court, was threatened by the Karni Sena. He had argued in the film's favour that no state could ban the film if the CBFC granted it a certificate.
- #018
The Supreme Court rejected the petition to stop the film's screening, citing freedom of speech and expression.
- #019
Padukone's look for the song "Ghoomar" included intricate jewellery weighing up to 3 kg, designed by Tanishq and comprising the Borla, Mathapatti and Bajuband, traditional ornaments worn by Rajasthani women.
- #020
The controversies surrounding the film brought the issue of film censorship and freedom of expression in India back to the fore.
- #021
Sanchit Balhara received a full scene briefing from Bhansali for the "Jauhar Theme," which represents the emotions of the Rani Padmavati character. Rather than having any instrument play the theme, he composed a hum and called it "relatable." Music arrangements were later made for them.
- #022
For "Ghoomar," Padukone trained for twelve days with Rajasthani dance teacher Jyoti D Tommar in a routine of three hours a day.
- #023
Ranveer Singh's costumes were based on travellers' accounts of Turkish-Persian influence on Indian clothing, since Khilji had a Turkish-Afghan heritage.
- #024
Playing Khilji affected Singh's personality and behaviour so strongly that he had to consult a psychiatrist to return to normal.
- #025
Priyanka Chopra was said to be appearing in the film, but she later denied it.
- #026
Padukone performed more than sixty twirls during the shooting of the song "Ghoomar."
- #027
Although the film received certification, as of 17 January 2018 it would not be released in Rajasthan and Haryana.
- #028
The song "Ghoomar" stayed on the Mirchi Music Top 20 for 27 weeks and remained in the Top 5 for more than 16 consecutive weeks. It was therefore marked as a Platinum Jubilee Song and stayed on the Top 20 list until 18 May 2018.
- #029
Padukone wore a lehenga designed by Rimple Narula that cost approximately 2 million INR and weighed 30 kg.
- #030
The shooting of the song "Ghoomar" was completed in four days.
- #031
Aditi Rao Hydari is the only member of the star cast who actually belongs to royal lineage.
- #032
Singh plays the first negative role of his career.
- #033
Aditi Rao Hydari was cast for a role in the film on Jaya Bachchan's advice.
- #034
It is based on Malik Muhammad Jayasi's poem "Padmavat," written in 1540.
- #035
The film's depiction of Alauddin Khilji was criticised by historians and critics for historical and geographical inaccuracies and for not remaining faithful to the 'Padmavat' epic.
- #036
Several Muslim leaders protested the claim that Alauddin Khilji was misrepresented and called for a ban to be imposed.
- #037
Members of the Rajput Karni Sena destroyed a school in the town of Jaora in the Ratlam region while students were singing the song "Ghoomar" at an annual event.
- #038
Deepika portrayed Ghoomar, the traditional dance of Rajasthani communities, in the film.
- #039
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) passed the film with a (12A) rating and zero cuts.
- #040
Balhara recorded folk instruments from Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan, particularly the use of the zurna, to represent Khilji culture.
- #041
Preparing the armour worn by Kapoor and Singh took a team of forty workers eight months.
- #042
The costumes of Aditi Rao Hydari, who played Khilji's first wife Mehrunisa, combined Turkish, Afghan, Mongol and Ottoman elements to display Mehrunisa's Turkish origins.
- #043
In the film, Padmavati goes to Delhi to rescue Ratan Singh. In the poem, the only ones who go to Delhi with their followers to rescue Ratan Singh are Ratan Singh's loyal servants Gora and Badal.
- #044
Raza Murad had expressed his enjoyment of Celaleddin Khilji's appearance in the film through his Facebook account. However, he later deleted it at Sanjay Leela Bhansali's request.
- #045
The film shows Alauddin's nephew's failed assassination plan that seriously wounded the Sultan, but none of this actually happened.
- #046
The film's climax shows Ratan Singh being killed by Alauddin Khilji's forces while fighting Khilji and on the verge of defeating him. In the poem, he never fought Khilji, and Khilji died in his battle against Devpal, the King of Kumbalner, before attacking Chittor.
- #047
Celaleddin Khilji ascended the throne of Delhi in 1290 to end the chaos that arose after the death of Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Balban. He was not ambitious by nature and did not launch an attack on the Delhi Sultanate from Ghazni in Afghanistan.
- #048
The "Jauhar Theme" received positive reactions from audiences in India. It appeared in the film's trailer and at the climax, where the jauhar takes place.
- #049
The digital streaming rights to Padmaavat were sold to Amazon Prime Video in August 2017 for 200-250 million INR.
- #050
Balhara used European classical instruments such as the string section and the brass section to blend the different notes of the Rajputs and Khilji together.
- #051
On 20 January 2018, a new version of the song "Ghoomar" was released that covered Padukone's midriff with computer-generated imagery.
- #052
The Supreme Court of India lifted the ban, stating that freedom of expression must be protected and that the states must ensure the film's smooth screening.
- #053
One of the 28 turbans with painted lehariya worn by Kapoor was inspired by a turban held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
- #054
Padukone's dresses were made with Sinhalese influences because the character Padmavati came from Sri Lanka.
- #055
The designer duo Rimple and Harpreet Narula detailed that the costume Padukone wears in the film's final scene includes a tree of life motif and twisted gota embroidery, and features a block-printed Kota dupatta.
- #056
The film was banned in Malaysia by the Ministry of Home Affairs due to its negative portrayal of a Muslim ruler.
- #057
Shahid Kapoor is coming together with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh for the first time.
- #058
Ranveer Singh's appearance in this film is very close to Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit series.
- #059
Padmaavat became the most controversial Indian film since Udta Punjab (2016), which also starred Shahid Kapoor.
- #060
Historian Muhammad Safiullah also criticised the portrayal of Khilji and the implicit depiction of a homosexual relationship between Khilji and his slave general Malik Kafur.
- #061
In the film, Padmavati is shown as the daughter of the king of Singhal. In the poem, Padmavati was the king's sister, and Ratan Singh married her after defeating the king in a game of chess.
- #062
In the film, the Brahmin Raghav Chetan is sent into exile at Padmavati's request. In the poem, he left Mewar of his own accord out of fear of Ratan Singh's anger.
- #063
Overseas theatrical distribution rights were acquired from Viacom 18 by Paramount Pictures in October.
- #064
In the film, the flag of the Delhi Sultanate is shown as green with a white crescent. The Sultanate in fact had a green flag with a black stripe running vertically on the left side.
- #065
Critics noted that the tracks were distinguishable but identifiable with the composer's recent usual compositional style, resembling his earlier work Bajirao Mastani, particularly the stretch from "Khalibali" to "Malhari".
- #066
The original music blends Middle Eastern music and Rajasthani folk through the wind and string sections of European Classical music.
- #067
The song "Ghoomar" takes its name from the traditional Rajasthani folk dance characterised by its distinctive spins.
- #068
Delhi-based Rimple and Harpreet Narula designed Rani Padmavati's costume using Rajasthan's traditional Gota embroidery work. The border derives from the architectural details of Rajasthani palace windows, and the jharokhas and odhnis are shaped in traditional forms still common in Rajasthan's Mewar belt.
- #069
Jim Sarbh learned horse riding for the role.
- #070
Padmaavat also drew inspiration from other earlier adaptations of the epic, including the Bengali literary adaptations by Kshirode Prasad Vidyavinode in 1906 and Abanindranath Tagore in 1909, the Tamil film Chittoor Rani Padmini (1963) and the Indian film Maharani Padmini (1964).
- #071
On 25 October 2017, the video for "Ghoomar", the film's first song, was released, featuring a brief appearance by a woman dressed as a queen. It was later revealed on the Sanjay Leela Bhansali Productions Twitter fan page that the woman was Rani Nagmati, Maharawal Ratan Singh's first wife, played by Anupriya Goenka.
- #072
The premiere of "Ghoomar", the first song, in which Padukone performs traditional Rajasthani folk dances on a set replicating the interiors of Chittorgarh Fort, was held on 25 October 2017.
- #073
The soundtrack album was postponed due to nationwide controversies concerning the film's content, which resulted in the physical formats of the soundtrack album, expected to be released alongside the film's initial release, being repackaged.
- #074
While recording traditional instruments, composer Sanchit Balhara used many Sindhi sarangis, Alghoza, Murchang, Rajasthani Dhol, Murali, Narh and folk chants, which were used in the scenes depicting the Rajputs in the film.
- #075
Sanchit Balhara, who composed the film's music, stated that he met Rajasthani scholars and learned how the Khiljis travelled from the Rann to Afghanistan and eventually settled in Delhi. The music preparation was thus shaped around that period.
- #076
"Ghoomar" was written 2-3 times because the lyricist wanted to tell a story through the song.
- #077
Ghoshal had recorded three more songs for the soundtrack album in addition to "Ghoomar", but due to changes in the film's script, the songs were not used as the makers removed them on the CBFC's recommendations.
- #078
Indian critics called Bhansali's soundtrack the "shortest music album" and responded positively in anticipation of the songs matching the visuals on screen.
- #079
The soundtrack album contains songs that all emphasize rhythmic arrangements, spanning Rajasthani folk ("Ghoomar", "Holi"), fusion ("Khalibali", "Ek Dil, Ek Jaan") and Middle Eastern ("Binte Dil") genres.
- #080
The main reason behind the film's success in Australia was that Paramount guaranteed its release across all three major cinema chains (Hoyts, Event Cinemas and Village Cinemas), unlike other Bollywood films that had to choose between them.
- #081
Vipul Amar and Harsheen Arora of the Delhi-based design house 'The V Renaissance' designed costumes for Rawal Ratan Singh and Alauddin Khilji using historical techniques such as cuir bouilli, sculpture, chiselling and inlay.
- #082
Director Bhansali gave Ranveer Singh books that examined in depth the moods of dark rulers in history such as Adolf Hitler, and argued that Singh had to completely forget who he was before playing Khilji.
- #083
In 2008, Bhansali produced an opera version in Paris, which inspired him to begin working on a film version.
- #084
Sanjay Leela Bhansali had been planning a film adaptation of the poem for ten years.
- #085
Historian Rana Safvi wrote that Khilji was sophisticated, not barbaric as depicted in the film.
- #086
Major political parties in India took stances that contradicted one another.
- #087
This 2017 film Padmavati draws inspiration from the 1956 Tamil film Chitoor Rani Padmini, directed by C. V. Sridhar and starring Sivaji Ganesan and Vyjanthimala; it is in fact an unofficial remake of Chitoor Rani Padmini.
- #088
Prasoon Joshi criticised the makers of 'Padmavati' for showing the film to the media without a certificate.
- #089
Shahrukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan were considered for the role of Raja Ratan Singh Rawal, which Shahid Kapoor went on to play.
- #090
The "Jauhar Theme" was composed before the film was shot.
- #091
At the end of December 2017, the CBFC approved the film's theatrical exhibition and suggested 5 changes, including the addition of multiple disclaimers and the alteration of its title to "Padmaavat".
- #092
The film was initially planned to release in India on 1 December 2017, but it was postponed due to protests.
- #093
Prime Focus Limited created the film in 3D.
- #094
It was noted that, as in other cinemas, the film's poster was not put up at PVR CP.
- #095
During the launch of Padmaavati, a heavy police presence was deployed in front of PVR Plaza, CP, New Delhi as well as all the cinemas in the area.
- #096
The Rajasthan state unit of the Indian National Congress (INC) also called for a ban on Padmaavat.
- #097
Many members and leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called for the film to be banned.
- #098
With six songs fitting into just 22 minutes, Padmaavat has one of the shortest music albums of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's career to date.
- #099
While recording the romantic track "Nainowale Ne", Bhansali told Neeti Mohan that the melody should have an old-world charm but be a blend of the contemporary and the modern.
- #100
The songs "Ghoomar" and "Binte Dil" received positive reviews from Indian music critics as well as from abroad, both for their composition and their visualisation.
- #101
"Ghoomar" entered the Mirchi Music Top 20 countdown at number 2 on 4 November 2018.
- #102
"Ghoomar" gathered more than 10 million views within 24 hours, the highest number of views in 24 hours for T-Series.
- #103
Ghoshal described "Ghoomar" as a "landmark" in her career.
- #104
"Ghoomar" ranked second on YouTube (India) for several days and crossed 100 million views on 27 January 2018.
- #105
On 30 December 2017, it was reported that the Central Board of Film Certification's examining committee had asked the film's producers to remove shots in the song "Ghoomar" that reveal Padukone's midriff, for a more modest representation of Padmavati.
- #106
On 22 November 2017, an Education Officer in Dewas issued an order banning the use of "Ghoomar" at any school event. A day later, however, the district collector ordered the circular withdrawn with immediate effect.
- #107
In November 2017, protests were held against the song "Ghoomar" on the claim that "Rajput queens never danced before anybody".
- #108
After its release, the song "Ghoomar" became controversial along with the film. Complaints about the song echoed on Twitter, with claims that it portrayed the Rajput queen Padmavati in a bad light.
- #109
In the US and Canada, Padmaavat set a new weekend opening record for an Indian film with $4.2 million, and saw the second-best per-theatre average in the top 10 at $13,188 from 324 theatres.
- #110
The film grossed $1.13 million on its opening day in the United States and Canada. It was followed by $1.8 million on Saturday, the biggest single day ever for an Indian film, breaking the previous record held by "PK" ($1.41 million).
- #111
In Australia, the film broke all-time opening-day records (A$367,984), surpassing the Hindi-dubbed versions of 'Dangal' (2016) and 'Baahubali: The Conclusion' (2017).
- #112
Because of the many controversies surrounding the film before its release, which resulted in it being banned in certain states, the film's commercial performance was highly unpredictable.
- #113
The film's premiere took place in only 70% of locations in India.
- #114
The filmmakers received support from film community and industry associations including the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association, the Cine and TV Artistes' Association, the Western India Cinematographers' Association, and the Art Directors' and Costume Designers' Association of the Cinema and Television.
- #115
Bhansali and Deepika Padukone received violent threats.
- #116
In Haryana, protesters attacked numerous vehicles, including a school bus.
- #117
In the days before the film's release, violent protests and riots broke out in various parts of India.
- #118
In October 2017, while a scene was being shot at the Masai Plateau in Kolhapur, some people attacked and set the set on fire, injured animals and destroyed many costumes.
- #119
Shri Rajput Karni Sena threatened further violence against both the filmmakers and audiences.
- #120
Bhansali was attacked on set by some Rajput organisations.
- #121
Many Rajput caste organisations, including Shri Rajput Karni Sena and its members, protested claiming the film portrayed Padmavati, a Rajput queen, in a bad light, and later damaged film sets.
- #122
The complete soundtrack was released by T-Series on 21 January 2018.
- #123
"Ek Dil, Ek Jaan", a love song featuring Padukone and Kapoor, was released as the film's second song on 11 November 2017.
- #124
Padukone's look for the song "Ghoomar" included intricate jewellery weighing up to 3 kg, designed by Tanishq, comprising the Borla, Mathapatti and Bajuband, traditional ornaments worn by Rajasthani women.
- #125
For the costumes of both Singh and Hydari, extensive research was conducted on the clothing and textiles of the Turkic belt, from Afghanistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Kazakhstan and the Central Asian belt around Turkey.
- #126
Shahid Kapoor's costumes were made of mulmul and cotton.
- #127
Raza Murad plays Sultan Jalaluddin Khilji, Alauddin's uncle and the founder of the Khilji dynasty, who had also collaborated with Bhansali on 'Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela' and 'Bajirao Mastani'.
- #128
Ranveer Singh trained twice a day, six days a week.
- #129
Singh trained under the supervision of Mustafa Ahmed to get into shape for the role.
- #130
Kapoor admitted that this was one of the most physically and emotionally demanding roles of his career.
- #131
Kapoor learned sword fighting and the basics of Mardani khel, a weapon-based martial art.
- #132
Kapoor underwent rigorous training under the supervision of trainer Samir Jaura for the role and followed a strict diet for 40 days.
- #133
Shahid Kapoor agreed to play Ratan Singh only with the guarantee of a sufficiently good role and a hefty fee.
- #134
Shahrukh Khan was offered the role but turned it down, feeling it was not "meaty" enough; a failure to agree on his fee may have been a factor.
- #135
In July 2016, playback singer Shreya Ghoshal tweeted about recording a song that Bhansali had composed for the film.
- #136
Pre-production on the film began in July 2016.
- #137
The producers wanted to cast Vicky Kaushal in Shahid Kapoor's role, but Deepika Padukone refused to work with him because she wanted an 'A'-list actor.
- #138
Archana Ojha, a historian at Delhi University, criticised Alauddin Khilji's appearance and costumes in the film.
- #139
Because his home was so far away, Kapoor moved closer to the film's set for a period of time.
- #140
On 28 January, the film's popular theme song even reached a basketball court in the United States, where cheerleaders dressed in Indian attire performed "Ghoomar" during an NBA game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat.
- #141
The film was released in cinemas in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.
- #142
Shakti Mohan made her debut as a choreographer, but refused to accept any payment for the song Nainowale Ne.
- #143
While shooting Padmaavat, Kapoor could not spend time with his wife Mira and daughter Misha, which upset Mira.
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