Keeping their promise to fans, stars of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavati" — Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh — unveiled the first trailer of their period saga on Monday. The trailer launched exactly at 13:03, signifying the year 1303 when the eight-month long siege ofChittor by Sultan Alauddin Khilji took place. Ranveer plays Alauddin Khilji and Shahid essays the role of Maharawal Ratan Singh in the much-awaited film. Deepika plays the titular role of Padmavati. The film also stars Raza Murad and Aditi Rao Hydari. The three-minute trailer opens on a grand canvas showcasing the vast expanse of Chittor's fort and moves to beautiful, love-filled visuals of Rani Padmavati and Ratan Singh. Ranveer makes a fleeting appearance after a minute into the trailer. He is mostly seen on the battleground, perfect as the obsessive and ambitious invader with his flowing tresses and blood-stained face.

"Padmavati" is based on folklore that 14th century ruler Alauddin Khilji fell in love with Padmini, the queen of Chittor. Choosing honour over a life in Delhi, Padmini and the other women of Chittor killed themselves by leaping into a fire.

This is the third time Ranveer and Deepika have worked with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, after "Goliyon ki Rasleela - Ram-Leela" and "Bajirao Mastani". This is the first time that Shahid is working with Bhansali.

The shooting of the film saw several roadblocks with several fringe organisations protesting against Bhansali and the movie, under the assumption that Khilji will be seen romancing Padmavati onscreen. Recently, members of the Rajput community held a protest against the film in Kamal (Haryana) demanding a ban on the film's screening in the state.

Source: Hindustan Times