The trailer of Arjun Kapoor’s much-awaited periodical drama Panipat, that also features Sanjay Dutt and Kriti Sanon was recently released. And looking at the trailer it seems like ‘Panipat’ is the Love Child of ‘Bajirao Mastani’ and ‘Padmaavat.’ No doubt the trailer looked magnificent, well obviously it tells the story of Sadashiv Rao Bhau and Parvati, the Royals, but the similarities to Sanjay Leela Bansali’s films cannot be ignored.
From the war cry, ‘Har Har Mahadev’ to even Sanjay Dutt’s villainous avatar bears resemblance to Ranveer’s Alauddin Khilji in Padmaavat, there were various similarities that were seen. And though Bajirao Mastani told the story of Peshwa Bajirao who married Kashibai but later falls in love with Muslim princess Mastani, Panipat and Bajirao Mastani are both stories of the Peshwas. And as per history, Sadashiv Rao Bhau (role essayed by Arjun) was the nephew of Peshwa Bajirao.
Going back to the Panipat trailer, when Arjun Kapoor’s Sadashiv Rao Bhau goes into battle, you will not only notice how Ranveer Singh’s Peshwa Baji Rao’s costumes, weapons and the battle background similar but also the attacking stance looks no different. Though the two characters may belong to the same dynasty, the filmmakers could perhaps be more creative with the cinematography for Panipat.
Talking about Kriti essaying the role of Parvati, both Bajirao Mastani and the Panipat has a scene of the homecoming of Bajirao and Sadashiv. We cannot help but point out how Kriti’s entry is similar to that of Priyanka, sharing the same eagerness and this particular scene look extremely similar. Deja vu feels.! Even Sadashiv’s mother played by Suhasini Mulay, Radha Bai’s character, looks similar to that of Tanvi Azmi played Aai Saheb a headstrong mother who was seen influencing Peshwa Bajirao’s every decision in Bajirao Mastani.
Again Parvati (Kriti Sanon) from Panipat and Mastani (Deepika Padukone) from Bajirao Mastani are both seen assisting their husbands in battle. The scene where Parvati from the Panipat trailer is seen protecting the Maratha women on the battlefield, shares similarities to that of Mastani trying to protect her son in Bajirao Mastani.
Both Sanjay Dutt’s Ahmad Shah Abdali and Ranveer’s Alauddin Khilji, both antagonists from Panipat and Padmaavat respectively, share a similar appearance. From jewelled headgears to kohl-rimmed eyes, and more they look nearly identical. Another scene from Panipat that bears resemblance to that of Bajirao Mastani is where Sadashiv is seen entering the royal court to meet Shahu, will remind you of Bajirao meeting Manjrekar’s Shahu Chattrapati.