Numerology has its share of sceptics, but Bollywood swears by it. The latest instance is Padmaavat, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. That the film’s title had to be changed from the earlier Padmavati — as per the Censor Board’s suggestion, following Rajput protests — is common knowledge, but what left everyone puzzled was the extra ‘a’. The puzzle is answered by one word: numerology.
Bollywood is big on numerology. Titles of films such as Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Judwaa 2, and Golmaal Again, were subjected to what we might call ‘numerologic’, as in ‘numbers + logic’. As for Padmaavat, even its release date has been decided by numerology — while the full-scale commercial release is on January 25, the paid previews are taking place on January 24.
Numerologist Sanjay B Jumaani reveals that it was his suggestion to the film’s creative team. “Earlier, Padmavati totalled to 30, and number 3 is for Jupiter. The director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, was born on the 24th (February), which is 6, [for] Venus. Changing the title to Padmavat, after removing the ‘i’, [the word] totalled an inauspicious number, 29, which indicates treachery and unexpected danger. I suggested that they could add a ‘d’ to bring it to 3 or 6. Bollywood’s longest-running film, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge (DDLJ) added up to 6.”
Jumaani says, referring to the first Bollywood film for which he was consulted, “Our first title, Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai had two ‘a’s, and the last film, Golmaal Again, added up to the same number. Padmaavat’s team took my second option. The two ‘a’s add up to 30, which is better.” However, in Baahubali’s case, an extra ‘a’ was removed, and the poster used a symbol to indicate the long vowel in the character’s name.
Also, the fact that the film is technically releasing on the 24th is numerologically correct, because “24 adds up to 6, which is a luckier date”, says Jumaani.
Judging by the success of these films, numerology will continue to find takers.
