Panipat makers on how they allotted chunk of investment to recreate era-authentic weapons for Arjun Kapoor starrer
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 23, 2019)

Known for his knack for period dramas, director Ashutosh Gowariker has gone back to the 18th Century with Panipat. Considering the Arjun Kapoor starrer is a retelling of the Third Battle of Panipat, the emphasis was on getting the artillery right. Gowariker apparently allotted a major chunk of the budget for the production design, keen that the offering remain authentic on that count.

A source reveals that a team, led by production designer Nitin Desai, researched extensively on the weapons prevalent during the era. "Original shamshers, khanda and gupti have been replicated for the film. Replicas of shields called tilwah were also made. The team consulted historians for the project."

Producer Rohit Shelatkar says, "Period films involve higher investments than regular feature films. It is important to pay heed to facets, including make-up, and props used in battle, in order to make the movie as authentic as possible."

Hiren Kotwani (DNA; May 27, 2018)

Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker’s next venture, Panipat: The Great Betrayal starring Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and Kriti Sanon is the brainchild of London-based Rohit Shelatkar, who is producing it under his banner, Vision World. A Mumbaikar, who moved to London to pursue post graduation in pharmacy in 2002 to further his career, the pharma magnate has won the Queen’s Award (2013 and 2018) twice for innovation and enterprise. A history and film buff, he started researching on the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) five years ago.

Rohit says, “We’ve never heard of a story of such bravery and magnitude where one army with limited resources travelled a thousand miles to help another in their war with the invaders. The Marathas had no personal motive for fighting alongside the Moghuls against the invading Afghan army led by Ahmad Shah Abdali.”

Probe him why a movie on a battle that the Marathas lost, and he replies, “Several films have been made on Chhatrapati Shivaji and Sambhaji Maharaj, but many people are not familiar with Sadashiv Rao Bhau. At the most, they know that the Marathas lost the Third Battle Of Panipat. But despite Abdali’s victory, he lost a lot more and Afghans never invaded India after this battle. Yes, Bhau sacrificed his life, but there are many reasons that will change the view of not just Maharashtrians, but Indians all over.”

Incidentally, the producer had thought of a few names to helm his dream movie, but eventually teamed up with his first choice, Ashutosh. Rohit recalls, “I loved Lagaan, Swades and Jodhaa Akbar. When I met him last September, I presented my idea to him and he thought it was fantastic. Both of us share the same passion for Panipat.” The period drama isn’t based on any particular book or a historian’s account, but the producer and his team have done extensive research on the subject and even sourced details from the archives in Pune.

As for casting, Rohit concedes that while Arjun and Kriti were the filmmaker’s call, casting Sanjay as Abdali was his idea. “When I suggested Sanjay Dutt’s name, Ashutosh also thought he’d be brilliant,” he says adding, “My involvement is only in helping to remain true to the story, not obstructing creativity.”

With the historical slated to release on December 6, 2019, we ask him if he’s collaborating with any studio and the pharma magnate tells us that the international distribution will be handled by his company Grand Showbiz Media & Entertainment. Rohit is committed to use his profits from the film for the widows of farmer from Vidharbha in Maharashtra through his Grand Maratha Foundation.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 14, 2018)

Ashutosh Gowariker is looking forward to his next film, Panipat, which is based on the Third Battle of Panipat. Starring Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Kapoor and Kriti Sanon, the ambitious project will go on floors by mid-2018. While the director is content with the lead cast, he is in the process of finalising the others.

“I shared screen space with Sanjay in Naam (1986), which was a memorable co-acting experience. It will be great to direct such a versatile and talented actor. What impresses me most about Arjun, apart from his fine performances, is his dynamism. He has played double roles twice [Aurangzeb, 2013 and Mubarakan, 2017], and has portrayed an action hero as well as a lover boy,” says Gowariker, as he goes on to praise his leading lady. “I needed someone who is beautiful and a good performer. The eclectic combination of these three is a first for me, and I look forward to this exciting journey with them.”

The high-octane action film, which is produced by Gowariker’s wife, Sunita, and Rohit Shelatkar’s company, Vision World, is scheduled to release on December 6, 2019. Though Gowariker’s last directorial venture, Mohenjo Daro (2016), was a dud, Shelatkar is certain that the filmmaker is perfect to helm Panipat. “Ashutosh has a tremendous track record. Lagaan (2001), Jodhaa Akbar (2008) and Swades (2004) are my favourites. I am confident that he will represent the subject in the best cinematic form,” he says.