Ashutosh Gowariker’s Panipat has an unusual cast of Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and Kriti Sanon. Filmmakers usually keep the plot of their films under wraps, but in the case of a historical, like this one, it is not possible.
As the film is based on the third battle of Panipat that took place in 1761, it is easy to know that the film will see a clash between the Afghans and the Marathas, which the former won.
The main characters involved in the story are the Maratha general Sadashivrao Bhau, the king of Afghanistan Ahmed Shah Abdali, also known as Ahmed Shah Durrani, and Parvatibai. The characters are played, respectively, by Kapoor, Dutt and Sanon.
Here is a quick look at the three prime characters:
Sadashivrao Bhau: He was the son of Maratha general Chimaji Appa and Rakmabai and nephew of peshwa Bajirao I (of Bajirao Mastani fame). He was commander-in-chief of the Maratha forces during the third battle of Panipat. Driven to the verge of starvation by the Afghan blockade and the lack of assistance from other rulers of northern India, Bhau and his forces put up a brave fight, but the conclusion was a foregone one
Ahmed Shah Durrani: The chief of the Durrani empire, he is also known today as the founder of the modern state of Afghanistan. He became king in 1747 and by 1761, he decided to win back the territories lost by the Afghans. This resulted in the third battle of Panipat. After emerging victorious, however, Durrani left Delhi and went back to Afghanistan.
Parvatibai: She was the second wife of Sadashivrao 'Bhau' and was by his side at Panipat. She was, however, safely led out of the battlefield by some loyal Maratha troops. There was a controversy related to Bhau's fate, as his body was never found, and many believed the Maratha general had escaped alive. To the end of her days Parvatibai refused to believe her husband was no more. At least on three occasions rumours about Bhau being alive gripped Poona, the capital of the Marathas, and from time to time impersonators also made their way to the city to try their luck, causing further confusion.