5 Performances Rajputs Should Have Actually Taken Offense To Instead Of Padmavat

If you have still not heard about the Padmavati, or as it has been named now, Padmavat, controversy, then crawl out of the huge rock you have been living under. With the largest chunk of the Rajput community going all guns blazing against the film which they believe is a misappropriation of their culture and heritage, the controversy surrounding this movie can actually be an amazing idea for an independent movie. However, it also reflects the fact that the protestors of the movie are not ardent movie goers. If they would have traversed the adventurous land of Bollywood they would have come across characters and films that apart from making audiences rip their hairs apart, portrays characters of Rajput origin in such poor light that the community taking offense to that would have absolutely understandable.

Illeana D’Cruz in Baadshaho

Last year, another famous Rajput queen Gayatri Devi was brought alive on screen by a certain listless Illeana D’Cruz in a laughable effort called Baadshaho by Milan Luthria. Setting the entire nerve shredding performances in the movie apart, Illeana D’Cruz in the queen’s character is one of her worst performances, and forget not she gave performances such as Sweety in Mubarakan or Kajal in Phata Poster Nikla Hero. Instead of beheading Deepika for playing Padmavati, they taking offense over Illeana in Baadshaho randomly digging the earth in chiffon saree and heels, would have been more justified.  

Jas Arora in Ek Paheli Leela

What did this film do to our cutie Jas Arora whose Gud Nal Ishq Mithaa is still one of our cherished 90s memories? Again, not getting into the horrendous experience that the movie was, Jas Arora turns out to be the most annoying character in a movie where Jay Bhanushali, VJ Andy and Sunny Leone tries to emote complex emotions. That’s no mean feat to achieve. As a Rajput prince he is loud and obnoxious to say the least. If not anything I would have joined a gang of Rajputs protesting against his terrible attempt at getting the ‘Rajput’ accent.

Zarine Khan and Jackie Shroff in Veer

The overriding theme of this movie was ‘Oh my god, Why? Almost the entire movie, looks like evoking this reaction from the audience was their only goal. Jackie Shroff as a English sympathising king with a hand made of gold keeps moving between hilarious and annoying. Poor Zarine Khan the less we talk about her the better it is. Between an annoyed Jackie Shroff and a very, very angry Salman Khan, she delivers a performance that is not only amateurish but paints a very poor picture of Rajput women, especially princesses who are always known for their feisty spirit.

Amitabh Bachhan in Lal Baadshah

When Amitabh Bachhan features on a worst performance list, little hope is left in the world. But Lal Baadshah and his portrayal of Dewan Ranbir Singh leaves us with no option. It’s almost painful to see him hamming all the way and subscribing to all cultural stereotypes all at once. This performance could have enraged any Rajput, especially if the person also happened to be a Bachhan fan like all of us.

Sonam Kapoor in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo

Another movie full of ‘Oh my god, why’ moments, Sonam Kapoor as a modern day Rajput princess is something that not just Rajputs, but every sane human should take offense to. Analysing her acting chops in this movie is one futile attempt we don’t want to engage in, but re-instating the idea that princesses dance round pillars and big halls clad in gorgeous lehenga is one stereotype that immediately needs to stop. Maybe a protest for that would be actually be a worthy attempt.