Though I am neither a historian nor a movie reviewer, what really surprises me is that a major chunk of current generation is of the view that the Jauhar shown in Padmaavat glorifies the Jauhar custom, which I believe is not the case. Here is my take on Padmavati’s Jauhar.
Jauhar glorified to correctly display history and not to influence 21st century women
Jauhar (self-immolation by women in parts of the Indian subcontinent, to avoid capture, enslavement and rape by any foreign invaders) was considered to be an act of bravery for women in those times and Padmavati being the queen, would definitely not immolate herself like any other woman of her times. It goes without saying that the scene was bound to be spectacular and glorified as the Jauhar was done by none other than the queen herself followed by hundreds of other women such as wives of soldiers who were killed in the battle. History cannot be undone just because today’s generation cannot accept what happened in the past. The question is ‘ why cannot the agitating crowd or women who feel ‘encouraged’ or ‘influenced’ by jauhar, be influenced by a lot of good practices shown in other movies?
How does the Jauhar act committed more than 700 years ago influence today’s modern women?
This really intrigues me as to how the same women who say that lust lies in the eyes of the beholder and not in the revealing dress worn by them, can describe Jauhar scenes of Padmavat as influential for them. Jauhar scenes in Padmaavat have been picturized as magnificently as the movie maker could imagine. Those scenes in no way can provoke, prompt or encourage a modern woman to commit Jauhar. It entirely depends upon your thought process, your knowledge of history and appreciation for the work of art that Padmaavat is.
The box office numbers say a lot about how much the movie has been liked despite so much controversy. Though a lot of furore was raised about various other scenes in the movie, none of them are really as disturbing as we normally watch on a daily basis through various media such as TV, the Internet and of course the cinema.
Slightly exaggerated but fully entertaining Padmavat
To sum up, I’d say that Padmaavat is a slightly exaggerated but really worth-watching depiction of a relatively little known aspect of Allauddin Khilji’s life and a true portrayal of Padmavati’s Jauhar which was considered to be an act of valour, self-respect and dignity in those times. It really was an act of bravery because that was the best women could do in those times after being a widow. Only those who are either completely unaware of history or are not willing to accept it ,will feel furious or hurt after watching the movie.
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