The film begins with an unusually long disclaimer claiming that it is more the filmmakers' vision than a true account of a historical episode. In an obvious bid to fob off the protesters questioning the authenticity of the narration. Sanjay Leela Bhansali in his characteristic style narrates his version of the story in a Mughal-e-azamesque scale of grandiosity, replete with breathtakingly beautiful sets (by Bhansali, Sujit Sriram and Saloni) elaborate and well thought of costumes and accessories (by Anju Modi) and dreamy cinematography (by Sudeep Chatterjee).

Right at the start, in a detailed disclaimer, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, states in no uncertain terms, that what we are about to see is but an adaptation of historical events, steered by the storyteller's imagination. So we know, we are not meant to go hunting for historical accuracy. Ten years in the making, Bhansali's love affair with the legendary story of Bajirao-Mastani has attained epic proportions.

There are the sets, lavish and excessive and opulent. There are the performances, lavish and excessive and opulent. There are the principal characters, lavish and excessive and opulent. There is the film's running time, lavish and excessive and opulent. So packed with sheer scale is this film that director Sanjay Leela Bhansali scrimps -- only -- on the nuance, deciding that detailing is best left to the art directors and to the crafters of hula-hoops for Deepika Padukone's nose.

Straight away, Bajirao Mastani is Sanjay Leela Bhansali's most gorgeous - and most political - movie. Peshwa Bajirao (Ranveer) stretches the Maratha empire across 18th century India, fighting Mughals and rivals for Chhattrapati Shahu (Mahesh). Suddenly, Bundelkhand requests protection, Bajirao approached by its half-Muslim princess Mastani (Deepika).

Two years ago, in November 2013, to be precise, Sanjay Leela Bhansali had Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone in Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram Leela. There was nothing wrong with the lead pair; there was no script! In Bajirao Mastani, Bhansali gets the same lead pair to create magic on screen.

Acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali took around 15 years to finally bring the immortal love story of Bajirao and Mastani to the silver screen and within fifteen minutes of the film, you realize that it was totally worth it. Agreed that Bhansali has taken many liberties in terms of history and culture while portraying the Peshwa era, but if you keep that aside for a minute and focus only on the story of the three individuals Bajirao, Kashibai and Mastani, what you have is a touching and intense love story worth watching.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali was determined to make a film on the lives of Peshwa Bajirao, Kashibai and Mastani for quite some time now. The supremely talented raconteur kept vacillating between numerous actors, before he chose on the present star cast of BAJIRAO MASTANI. Although historicals were well-liked -- and commercially feasible, if I may add -- at a point of time, the swelling budgets and comprehensive study and research that went into making a historical compelled quite a few present-day film-makers to abandon their dream projects and opt for contemporary themes.

From the first frame, you know you are in a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film. Everything is scaled up, grander than grand, a-glitter. The Maratha court is in session. As all eyes turn to Peshwa Bajirao (Ranveer Singh), we are invited not just to see, but to behold a warrior in the full glory of manhood, striding off to conquer new places and hearts. It's all razzle-dazzle, the way only Sanjay Leela Bhansali can turn it on.

Bajirao Mastani has been in the news for quite a sometime. While a few dismissed this film as another period drama, critics made obvious comparisons to other films in the same genre and how masses have been unfair to them. But one look at the trailer of this magnum opus and Sanjay Leela Bhansali had got us hooked, with his larger-than-life imagery, characterisation of these historic characters we knew little about and most importantly, Ranveer Singh's bearing as the Blazing Bajirao.

Bajirao Ballal Peshwa (Ranveer Singh) is an ambitious Maratha warrior who has set his eyes on creating one Hindu nation, the Bharatvarsha and not only has the wit but also the valor to fight for it. We are even told in the story at one point that he has won all the 40 battles that he ever fought. During the Mughal invasion, Bajirao is away from home planning an attack on Delhi when he meets Mastani (Deepika Padukone) who has traveled to seek his help to save her hometown Bundelkhand which is being held captive by the Mughals.

"And still of a winter's night, they say, when the wind is in the trees, When the moon is a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas, When the road is a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor, A highwayman comes riding- Riding-riding- A highwayman comes riding, up to the old inn-door. Over the cobbles he clatters and clangs in the dark inn-yard. He taps with his whip on the shutters, but all is locked and barred. He whistles a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there But the landlord's black-eyed daughter, Bess, the landlord's daughter, Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair."

"Duniya ka har dharm mohabbat sikhata hai, Mohabbat ka koi dharm nahi hota. Mohabbat khud hi dharm hai" (All religions teach love, love has no religion and it is a religion in itself) - that is what Sanjay Leela Bhansali aims to preach with Bajirao Mastani that hits theatres on Friday. Bajirao Mastani explores the romantic side of 18th-century Maratha general Bajirao Ballal Bhat, who fought and won 40 battles against the Mughals with an aim to create a unified Hindu kingdom or Akhand Bharatvarsha (united Bharat).

Maratha history gets the full-on Sanjay Leela Bhansali treatment in Bajirao Mastani. The overwrought but impressive extravaganza elevates the legendary 18th century warrior-hero determined to establish Hindu rule across the subcontinent to the level of a selfless crusader for love in a climate of hate and bigotry. Bhansali fictionalizes several of Bajirao's key battles but focuses more on the married Peshwa's passion for Mastani, the beautiful and courageous half Rajput, half-Muslim princess of Bundelkhand.

The twirl of Mastani's (Deepika Padukone) long, layered, utterly gorgeous beige gold kalidar kurta, the rhythmic swirl of her tall lissome figure, the fiery defiant adoration for her lover, Bajirao (Ranveer Singh), in her deep, flashing eyes, her beautifully choreographed dance reflected in the mirrors of the most enchanting palace; the soulful song, 'Deewani Mastani' will and should go down in the history of cinema as the perfect amalgamation of all that the director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, stands for.