After the launch of Deepika as Padmavati, we are introduced to Shahid Kapoor will play King of Chittor and Rani Padmini’s husband Maharawal Ratan Singh in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s much-awaited period drama ‘Padmavati’.
Maharawal Ratan Singh was a ruler of the Medapata (Mewar) kingdom in present-day Rajasthan, India. He belonged to the Rawal branch of the Guhila dynasty, which ruled from the Chitrakuta fort (modern Chittorgarh). The last ruler of this branch, he was defeated by Alauddin Khilji in 1303 CE.
Rani Padmini, also known as Padmavati, was a legendary 13th-14th-century Indian queen. The earliest source to mention her is Padmavat, an epic poem written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi in 1540 CE. It is through this text, Sanjay Leela Bhansali was inspired to make Padmavati.
The text, which features elements of fantasy, describes her story as follows: Padmavati was an exceptionally beautiful princess of the Sinhala kingdom. Ratan Singh, the Rajput ruler of Chittor, heard about her beauty from a talking parrot named Hiraman. After an adventurous quest, he married her and brought her to Chittor. Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi also heard about her beauty and attacked Chittor to obtain her. Ratan Singh was killed in a combat with Devpal, the king of Kumbhalner who was also enamoured with Padmavati’s beauty. Before Alauddin Khilji could capture Chittor, Padmavati and her companions committed Jauhar (self-immolation) to protect their honour. However, several subsequent adaptions of the legend characterised her as a Hindu Rajput queen, who defended her honour against a Muslim invader.
We look forward to the release of Ranveer Singh’s character, Alauddin Khilji’s poster.