Always wanted to make a film on battle of Panipat says Ashutosh Gowariker

By News Helpline, Mumbai - 23rd November, 2019

Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker who is coming up with his next directorial venture named ‘Panipat’, has said that he always wanted to make a film on battle of Panipat because of it’s a story of Maratha empire’s valour and bravery.

Ashutosh Gowariker was interacting with the media at the ‘Mann Mein Shiva’ song launch from ‘Panipat’ along with film’s cast Arjun Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, music composers Ajay-Atul and film’s producer Sunita Gowariker on Saturday in Mumbai.

In the 18th century, the Marathas emerge as the most powerful empire in the whole India. However, their happiness is short lived as the Afghan King Ahmad Shah Abdali (Sanjay Dutt) plans to take over India and the Maratha Peshwa orders Sadashiv Rao Bhau (Arjun Kapoor) to stop him at any cost, thus leading to the Third Battle of Panipat between the two armies.

When asked Gowariker, why he thought of making ‘Panipat’ where central character of the film is losing the battle, he said, “I wanted to make a film based on battle of Panipat since long time. It’s a battle which we (Maratha Empire) lost but we never think that why we were defeated in that battle and what led to defeat of Maratha Empire so, when I researched about it, I realized that its one of its kind battle in the entire world where an army traveled across thousands of kilometers to stop its opponent so, I thought that it was really an amazing thing. It’s about how Marathas left Pune and how they reached Panipat. It’s a story of their valour and it’s one the best examples of bravery and courage that’s why I felt that I had to share it with everyone.”

Panipat trailer has created a controversy in Afghanistan over Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of Ahmad Shah Abdali in the movie. Former Afghan ambassador to India tweeted to Sanjay Dutt saying that “hope Panipat kept Indo-Afghan ties in mind!” Shaida Abdali, former Afghan ambassador tweeted expressing concern over the trailer.

Reacting to controversies around his upcoming film, Goawriker said, “When you depict history cinematically, always questions arise about how much has been included in the film and how much excluded from the film. When you a write a book of history then, there are a lot of pages in it and you can put in all the information available that’s why it is called as an account but when you bring history on big screen, you have to deduct, you have to keep a path ready and you have to certain directive about beginning and end of the film. So, some people had certain doubts that how you are portraying our ancestors in the film but now that, doubt has been cleared. We have shown all the historical figures who were related to this event apart from main characters of the film.”

Gowariker added, “When Marathas left Pune, they gone with army 40000 soldiers and before reaching Panipat, the number increased up to 70000 soldiers because they tied up some kings in their route. In the film, there are people who belong to Hindu, Muslim and other communities so, it was very co-operative kind of army so, I thought that it’s very important to bring this story on big screen. It’s obvious that people will raise their questions and some of them will sort out. I am open to do that.”

When asked Gowariker whether he feels that certain fringe groups who raised objections over historical films are really sensitive or they are doing rallies or coming on news debates just for two minutes of fame, he said, “I don’t think that way. I feel in today’s digital age, we have cell phones in our hand and through that, we are getting knowledge so if I see or read something, I can immediately react on it. If I go to a sweets shop and if I don’t liked sweets of that shop then I can post my review about that shop on a digital platform. In that sense, I can react immediately to anything. I think it is important to get those kind of reactions and we will feel it is important that we clear their doubts about the film and I don’t have any issues with it.”

‘Panipat’ is directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar and produced by Sunita Gowariker.

It stars Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, and Kriti Sanon and is scheduled to release on 6 December 2019.