Padmavat is an epic poem written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi which is now adapted by Sanjay Leela Bhansali as a film.  The poet himself wrote, “I have made up the story and related it,” as he ended Padmavat. The Sufi poet allegedly penned down the poem in 1540 that marks its date 224 years after Alauddin Khilji’s death. However, now the work of fiction is considered a part of the Hindu history and on that basis, protests are being carried on against the film (also a work of fiction).

The Karni Sena Rajputs have been standing against the release of the film and vandalised public properties. Despite, Supreme Court’s order to release Padmaavat nationwide disturbances were still reported. The activists have continued the agitations, burned ticket counters and attacked a bus full of children in the course. As the activists stand against the film, the Bollywood actors have joined hands in support of the film and termed these actions as acts of ‘terrorism.’

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Padmavat narrates the beauty and valour of the legendary queen of Chittorgarh, Rani Padmavati. Among the all the fights for a work of fiction, we bring you some facts you might not know about Rani Padmavati.

1. Padmavati was not from India. The poet describes a kingdom of Simhala-dvipa where Padmani belonged. The place now falls in Sri Lanka.
2. Padmani had a talking parrot named Hira- Mani who was one of the closest to the princesses. The parrot was the one who narrated the breathtaking beauty of the queen to King Ratan Singh.
3. The parrot flew away from the Singhal Kingdom when Padmavati’s father ordered to kill the bird. It was eventually caught by a bird catcher who sold it to a Brahmin. When Ratan Singh got to know about the talking parrot he bought it and got to know about Padmavati from the bird.
4. The king immediately got mesmerized by her description and desired to marry Padmavati. He went on to participate in her swayamvar and defeated many kings to win the queen.
5. Rani Padmavati was a skilled warrior herself and her swayamvar was no ordinary. She fought Ratan Singh in disguise of a fighter in a sword battle. When Padmavati lost to Ratan Singh, she married him.
6. Raghav Chaitanya, who was a raj purohit in Ratan Singh’s palace, was thrown out the kingdom after his indulgence in black magic was revealed. To avenge his insult Raghav went to Alauddin Kilji and told him all about Rani Padmavati.
7. Alauddin went to Chittor and requested Ratan Singh for a glimpse of Padmavati. However, Padmavati denied and said he can look at her reflection as she will not meet him in person.
8. Khilji had other intention, so when he saw Padmani, he was mesmerised by her beauty and planned to invade the Chittorgarh fort.
9. Alauddin later tricked King Ratan Singh, kidnapped him and asked for Padmavati to meet him.
10. Before Khilji’s troop could reach Padmavati the queen committed ‘jauhar’ with other women in the fort.