With a slew of Hindi movies from the early and mid 2000s re-releasing into theaters, it might be hard to keep a track of all of them. However, a comparatively recent movie that released in 2018 is making its way back to theaters. We are talking about the historical epic Padmaavat! The 2018 Hindi film, directed by ace filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, starred Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh in the lead roles. With its re-release happening on 6th February, we are excited to share with you the filming locations of this blockbuster film.
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TogglePlaces Where Padmaavat Was Filmed
Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur
The film revolves around Padmaavati’s (Deepika Padukone) life after she gets married to Maharawal Ratan Singh (Shahid Kapoor) of Chittorgarh. As the film is set in medieval era Rajasthan, you’ll see that almost all frames of the film are shot in some fort. Initial sets of the film were erected in Jaipur’s Jaigarh Fort, however, they were soon destroyed after Karni Sena vandalized them.
Jaigarh Fort is quite close to the Amer Fort, and they are, in fact, connected via subterranean passages. The fort offers panoramic views of the Aravalli ranges and Jaipur, and is hardly 10 kilometers (km) from the city center. It houses the world’s largest cannon on wheels, an assembly hall of the warriors, a museum, and an armory. If you are in Jaipur, we highly recommend visiting the historic fort of Jaigarh to get a glimpse of Rajput history and heritage!
Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Address: Devisinghpura, Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan – 302028
Entry fee: INR 150 for adults and INR 75 for children
Masai Plateau, Maharashtra
After Karni Sena and other organizations resisted and vandalized Padmaavat’s sets in Jaipur, the makers decided to move to Masai Plateau to complete the rest of the shoot. Masai Plateau is one of the most stunning Padmaavat filming locations, and you’d realize that once you visit it. However, some organizations disrupted the shoot here as well, so the team had to eventually shift their base to Mumbai.
Masai Plateau or Masai Pathar is situated about 30 km west of Kolhapur City in Maharashtra. It is only about 9.7 km away from the historic Panhala Fort. The scenic plateau covers about 1.5 square kilometers of area and is known for its lush green landscapes, especially in the monsoon season. This plateau gets decked up with seasonal wildflowers as well as carnivorous plants that bloom in August and September. Here, you’ll also find a temple of Goddess Masai which is worth a visit!
It is open to visit all days of the year, however, we recommend that you visit it in the monsoon months of June to September to get the best experience possible!
Chittor Fort, Chittorgarh
While the film hasn’t been actually shot inside Chittorgarh Fort, elaborate sets were built in Mumbai that replicated the grand fort. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the largest forts in India.
It is said that in 1303, Alauddin Khilji led an army to capture Chittor Fort that was ruled by Maharawal Ratan Singh. Some accounts in history suggest that he attacked the fort to capture Ratan Singh’s second wife, Rani Padmavati. To protect herself, she and the other women committed Jauhar (self-immolation). However, some historians and experts consider it as a fabricated narrative altogether.
The fort has 7 gates, each called a ‘Pol’. For example, you have Lakshman Pol, Ganesh Pol, and Ram Pola among others. Inside the fort complex, there are plenty of small temples and elaborate palaces. Once upon a time, the fort boasted 84 water bodies, however, only 22 of them remain today. Inside, you’ll also find the famous Vijay Stambh and Kirti Stambh that can be spotted in the movie as well!
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Address: Chittorgarh, Rajasthan – 312001
Entry fee: INR 50 for adults and INR 25 for children
Summing Up
Padmaavat is re-releasing in cinemas on the 6th of February to celebrate 7 years of its original release. While the film was met with a lot of backlash and was stirred up in controversies over inaccurate historical accounts, the film managed to be one of the highest grossing films of that year, and has left a lasting legacy, thanks to its impressive music, performances, and visual appeal. Which one of these Padmaavat filming locations has impressed you the most and which one’s your bucket list?
FAQs
Which Fort Was Padmavati Shot In?
Padmavati (later renamed to Padmaavat) was initially planned to be shot at Jaigarh Fort to replicate the Chittorgarh Fort mentioned in the story. However, when caste organizations vandalized their sets, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali eventually decided to shoot the film in Mumbai.
Is Padmaavat A Hit Or Flop?
Padmaavat emerged a critical and commercial success, earning about INR 571 crores worldwide, despite it being banned in a few Indian states at the time of its release.
Why Was Padmavati Renamed To Padmaavat?
The title ‘Padmavati’ was renamed to ‘Padmavat’ after a major backlash citing that the movie was an inaccurate description of the Rajput history and Queen Padmavati. It was changed to assert that the film was an adaptation of Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s epic of the same name.