 In 2018, Padukone portrayed Rani Padmavati, a Rajput queen who commits "jauhar" (self-immolation) to protect herself from the Muslim invader Alauddin Khilji, in the period drama "Padmaavat"; it marked her third collaboration with Bhansali and Singh.She was challenged by the need to convey her character's courage through silence and considered it to be the most emotionally exhausting role of her career.She read history books on the era and researched the various historical depictions of Padmavati.