Artists: Ajay Devgan, Saif Ali Khan, Kajol, Sharad Kelkar, Neha Sharma, Padmavati Rao, Shashank Shendet
Director: Om Raut
Movie Type: History, Drama
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes

Critic Review

After Ashutosh Gowariker’s historical film Panipat, director Om Raut Tanaji has appeared alongside The Unsung Warrior. Tanaji is another such historical film after Panipat, which has managed to portray the valor of the Maratha Empire in a grand style. Historical films and that too especially on the subject of war, sometimes become cumbersome, heavy and boring, but it has to be said that the director’s quality is that in this story taken from the important chapter of history, the story of romance, romance, thrill, betrayal. Like there are all the elements and the 3D effects called gold icing on it which makes the entire film worth watching from beginning to end.

The story is of that page of history, where Aurangzeb (Luke Kenny) is strategizing to wave Mughalia Parcham over the whole of India and the Deccan (South) Shivaji Maharaj (Sharad Kelkar) is determined to take the oath of self-rule. This war in history (4 February 1670) is recorded as the Battle of Sinhagad. In the 17th century, Shivaji Maharaj’s Paramitra and Jambaj warrior Subedar Tanaji Malasure (Ajay Devgan) is busy with the wedding arrangements of their son with his wife Savitribai (Kajol). They are unaware that despite the handing over of 23 forts including the Kondana Fort to the Mughals in the Purandar Treaty, the Mughals Sultanate is not thirsty. At the time when Rajmata Jijabai handed over the fort of Kondana to the Mughals, at the same time, she had sworn that she would not wear a paduka until the saffron was waved at this fort again. Aurangzeb has made up his mind to destroy the Maratha empire by ordering his special, confidant and barbaric pawn Udayabhanu Rathod (Saif Ali) to march towards the Kondana Fort with a large army and a large cannon called Nagin.

Shivaji Maharaj does not want to involve his brave and dear friend in the tragedy of war at this time, because he does not want Tanaji’s wedding house to witness war. But when Tanaji learns that Swarajya and Shivaji Maharaj are in danger, he sets out to cut Udaybhanu’s head by wearing saffron regardless of the son’s marriage. Udayabhanu is no less than Tanaji in Jambaji and is also full of barbarism. Under this trend, he picks up the widowed princess Kamaladevi (Neha Sharma) and is adamant about making her queen. Actually, Kamala was his first love, but after he rejected and was ashamed, he joined the Mughals. Tanaji gets gallantry as well as betrayal in the war with Udayabhanu Rathod. Can Tanaji eliminate Udayabhanu? Is he able to follow the promise given to Shivaji Maharaj? To know this, you will have to watch the film.

Om Raut, who won the Filmfare Award for Best Director in a historical film like Lokmanya Ek Yug Purush, has also worked hard on VFX along with the story of the film. The film is Gripping. Watching battle scenes under 3D is not a visual treat. The German action director Ramadan designed the war scenes of the era, which have become quite interesting and thrilling, keeping in mind the Maratha guerrilla warfare techniques. Fencing methodists have also become visible. The forts and the valley are well decorated with visual effects. Talking about music, the songs and choreography like ‘Shankara Re Shankara’, ‘My Bhavani’ and ‘Ghamand Kar’ have become good in the presence of composers like Sachet tradition, Ajay-Atul, and Mehul Vyas.

Ajay Devgan as a brave warrior has been fit and finest in every way. His agility is seen in battle scenes. His dying emotion for Swarajya also makes his character special. His chemistry with Kajol is also interesting. Saif Ali has been great as Udayabhanu Rathod. In many places, he has proved to be twenty more than Ajay. The villain is extremely strong in Tanaji. Saif portrayed the brutality of his character in a forceful manner. His black comedies are also seen in the scenes receiving devilish pleasure while harassing others. Kajol has played her role faithfully. They should have been given more screen space. Even as Sharadaji, Sharad Kelkar’s stature does not match, but with his body language and gesture, he has made this character memorable. The collaborative cast has been strong and consistent with the theme.

Also Read: CRITIC REVIEW OF THE MOVIE CHHAPAAK