Panipat (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Panipat is a 2019 action drama directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, starring Arjun Kapoor as Sadashiv Rao Bhau, Sanjay Dutt and Nawab Shah. It runs 2 hours 45 minutes and earned $3.3 million worldwide. Critics gave it 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 45m (165 min)
- Director
- Ashutosh Gowariker
- Original language
-
Hindi
- Studio
- Reliance Entertainment
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Panipat About?
The premise of Panipat without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1761, as the Maratha Empire faces a crisis, Sadashiv Rao Bhau assembles his forces to confront the invading Afghan army under the command of Ahmad Shah Abdali. The ensuing battle of Panipat becomes a pivotal moment in Indian history, testing the strength and resilience of the Maratha warriors against a powerful and determined enemy.
Panipat Themes & Keywords
· 10 tags- maratha empire
- 18th century
- india
- afghanistan
- mughal empire
- battle
- hindustan
- 1760s
- indian history
- asia
Panipat Cast & Characters
Arjun Kapoor leads the cast as Sadashiv Rao Bhau, with Sanjay Dutt as Ahmad Shah Abdali and Nawab Shah as Ibrahim Khan Gardi. Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Director Ashutosh Gowariker
- Arjun Kapoor as Sadashiv Rao Bhau
-
Sanjay Dutt as Ahmad Shah Abdali - Nawab Shah as Ibrahim Khan Gardi
- Sahil Salathia as Shamsher Bahadur
Also Starring in Panipat
· 8 more- Kriti Sanon Parvati Bai
- Padmini Kolhapure Gopika Bai
- Mantra
- Ravindra Mahajani Malhar Rao Holkar
- Zeenat Aman Sakina Begum
- Kunal Kapoor Shuja-ud-Daula
- Suhasini Mulay Radha Bai
- Mohnish Bahl
Panipat Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Panipat 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in sensory experience (65) and weakest in character & emotion (45).
Panipat Echo Score Breakdown
Panipat delivers a mixed viewing experience with occasional visual flair offset by uneven pacing and inconsistent character depth. Several reviewers praised its production design and battle sequences, noting the film’s elaborate sets and choreographed confrontations. However, criticism centers on the sprawling runtime and a lack of emotional resonance in key moments, which undermines engagement. While the historical scope and opulent visuals offer moments of interest, the uneven storytelling and character development limit its lasting impact.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 60
In terms of art and craft, Panipat presents strong production design and vivid set pieces that convey historical opulence. The cinematography captures sprawling battlefields with dramatic compositions, and the costume work adds a colorful authenticity. Editing occasionally feels sluggish, contributing to the film’s extended runtime. Overall, the visual presentation is richly detailed but hindered by pacing issues in post-production.
- Character & Emotion 45
When it comes to character and emotion, performances vary from earnest to uneven. Some sequences convey the Maratha valor with conviction, but several roles lack depth and fail to establish meaningful connections. The film’s dialogue-driven scenes often struggle to achieve emotional payoff, diminishing the audience’s investment in personal stakes. Ultimately, the character portrayals provide moments of resonance but lack consistent emotional weight.
- Story & Flow 55
Story and flow in Panipat are marked by an ambitious outline of historical events that sometimes becomes overly elaborate. The narrative delivers informative historical context, but lengthy exposition and a checklist-like screenplay disrupt momentum. Users found the plot engaging at times, yet critics highlight the film’s struggle to balance pacing and coherence. On balance, the storyline offers a comprehensive account but suffers from uneven progression.
- Sensory Experience 65
In the sensory realm, Panipat excels with a dynamic soundscape and a stirring musical score that heightens battle sequences. The visual style employs saturated colors and grand set design to evoke period authenticity. Sound effects on the battlefield are immersive, although occasional mixing issues dilute impact. Overall, the film’s sensory elements provide a compelling audio-visual experience despite minor inconsistencies.
- Rewatch Factor 55
For rewatch value, Panipat presents moments of spectacle that may appeal to fans of historical epics. Memorable battle scenes and elaborate choreography offer visual rewards on subsequent viewings. However, the film’s extended duration and episodic structure could deter repeat sessions. Viewers seeking a concise narrative may find limited incentive to revisit. The lasting appeal resides primarily in select action set pieces rather than broad rewatchability.
-
IMDb 5.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 40% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 65%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 62% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.7 /5
1 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Panipat Plot Summary
What happens in Panipat from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the mid-18th century, particularly in 1758, the Maratha Empire was at its zenith, having grasped control over nearly all of India—save for the Nizam of Hyderabad in the southeast. The Maratha forces, commanded by Sadashiv Rao Bhau, lay siege to the Nizam’s fort in Udgiri, where the valiant defender, Ibrahim Khan Gardi portrayed by Nawab Shah, stands ready to deter them. Through a combination of clever tactics and remarkable bravery, Sadashiv manages to outsmart Ibrahim and secures the fort, bringing it under Maratha rule. Instead of vanquishing his opponent, Sadashiv opts for a strategic alliance, welcoming Ibrahim into the Maratha ranks as a commander, alongside his second-in-command, Shamsher Bahadur.
Full summary
The whole story of Panipat, scene by scene
Panipat Box Office
Panipat grossed $3.3 million worldwide. $461,863 came from the US and Canada and $2.9 million (86%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$3.3M
- US & Canada
- $461.9K
- International
- $2.9M
Panipat Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Panipat.
How Well Do You Know Panipat?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In which year does the movie 'Panipat' take place?
Panipat Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “ปานิปัต” and “Битва при Панипате”.
- Also known as
-
- ปานิปัต
- Битва при Панипате
- Panipat Savaşı / Panipat
- 파니파트
- Панипат
- Panipat - A Terceira Batalha
- 帕尼帕特
Seen Panipat?
Movies Like Panipat
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Pawankhind, Padmaavat and Mangal Pandey - The Rising.
Panipat FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Panipat, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Panipat?
Panipat runs 2 hours 45 minutes (165 minutes).
When was Panipat released?
Panipat was released on December 6, 2019.
Who directed Panipat?
Panipat was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker.
More films by Ashutosh Gowariker Who is in the cast of Panipat?
Panipat stars Arjun Kapoor as Sadashiv Rao Bhau, Sanjay Dutt as Ahmad Shah Abdali and Nawab Shah as Ibrahim Khan Gardi, among 12 credited actors.
How much did Panipat make at the box office?
Panipat grossed $3.3 million worldwide ($461,863 domestic, $2.9 million international).
How is Panipat rated?
Panipat has 5.2/10 on IMDb, 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62% on TMDB and 2.7/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Panipat have a post-credit scene?
No. Panipat has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Panipat in?
The original language of Panipat is Hindi.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
