Is ‘Panipat’ the Love Child of ‘Bajirao Mastani’ & ‘Padmaavat?

We’ve spotted several similarities between the three period dramas.

Scenes from Panipat are similar to those in Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat.

(Photo Courtesy: YouTube screengrab/Altered by The Quint)

The trailer for Ashutosh Gowarikar’s upcoming period drama Panipat has released and our first impression was that while the production value was decent, the Arjun Kapoor and Kriti Sanon-starrer looked like it was suffering from a Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat hangover. From the ‘Har Har Mahadev’ war cry to Sanjay Dutt’s resemblance to Ranveer’s Alauddin Khilji, here are some of the similarities we found between the Panipat trailer and the two Bhansali productions.

1. Sadashiv Rao and Bajirao on the Battlefield

Ranveer Singh as Peshwa Bajirao in Bajirao Mastani; Arjun Kapoor as Sadashiv Rao Bhau in Panipat.(Photo Courtesy: YouTube screengrab/Altered by The Quint)

When comparing two scenes from Bajirao Mastani and the Panipat trailer when Ranveer Singh’s Peshwa Baji Rao and Arjun Kapoor’s Sadashiv Rao Bhau go into battle, you’ll notice not only are the costumes, weapons and the battle background similar, but even the style of attack looks no different. The two characters may belong to the same dynasty and the setting of the films might be similar, but perhaps more creativity could have been put into the cinematography for Panipat.

2. Parvati and Kashi Bai

Priyanka as Kashi Bai in Bajirao Mastani; Kriti Sanon as Parvati in Panipat.(Photo Courtesy: YouTube screengrab/Altered by The Quint)

Both Bajirao Mastani and the Panipat trailer depict stills These scenes depict the homecoming of Bajirao and Sadashiv. The eagerness with which Priyanka shows during this is very similar to Kriti’s entry. Given both the stories are from the Maratha period, the treatment of these particular scenes look extremely similar.

3. The Family Matriarchs

The two matriachs of Bajirao Mastani and Panipat.(Photo Courtesy: YouTube screengrab/Altered by The Quint)

In Bajirao Mastani, Tanvi Azmi played Aai Saheb, a headstrong mother who influenced Peshwa Bajirao’s every decision. A scene from Panipat also shows Sadashiv’s mother advising him before he rides into battle against Ahmad Shah Abdali.

4. Warrior Queens Parvati and Mastani

Warrior queens Mastani and Parvati Bai, played by Deepika Padukone and Kriti Sanon, respectively.(Photo Courtesy: YouTube screengrab/Altered by The Quint)

Both Mastani (Deepika Padukone) from Bajirao Mastani and Parvati (Kriti Sanon) from Panipat are not only queens but also assist their husbands in battle. In the Panipat trailer, shots of Parvati protecting Maratha women on the battlefield bear similarity to the ones of Mastani trying to save her son.

The Bad Guy: Abdali vs Khilji

Sanjay Dutt as Ahmad Shah Abdali and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji.(Photo Courtesy: YouTube screengrab/Altered by The Quint)

From the trailer, it’s evident that the antagonists of both Panipat and Padmaavat are very similar in appearance. From the jewelled headdress to the long beards and kohl-rimmed eyes, both Sanjay Dutt’s Ahmad Shah Abdali and Ranveer’s Alauddin Khilji look near identical.

6. The Royal Darbar

The darbar scenes in Bajirao Mastani and Panipat have been similarly staged.(Photo Courtesy: YouTube screengrab/Altered by The Quint)

Sanjay Manjrekar’s Shahu Chattrapati in Bajirao Mastani oozed royalty. The diwan from which he addresses his darbar, the decorations and his commanding voice helped in setting up the scene. The Shahu in Panipat looks no different. The scene where Sadashiv is enters the darbar will definitely remind you of the one of Bajirao meeting Manjrekar’s Shahu Chattrapati at the beginning of Bajirao Mastani.