Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior: Story from forgotten history

A historical drama set in the 17th century and directed by Om Raut, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior has been making news in recent times. The official trailer of the big-budget entertainer starring Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan and Kajol has dropped recently. The upcoming film is Devgn’s 100th in Bollywood, while he and his wife Kajol are sharing screen space after almost one decade. Their last release, Toonpur Ka Super Hero, was a live-action animated action-comedy that hit the marquee in 2010.

How is the trailer? Impressive, one must say. The look of the period in which the film is set is delightfully authentic, the choice of main characters seems appropriate, and the production design team has delivered.

Devgn and Saif had been famously cast as the protagonist and antagonist respectively in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Omkara, the maker’s interpretation of Othello. Tanhaji... is based on the circumstances leading to the Battle of Sinhagad fought between the Maratha army led by Tanhaji Malusare, the trusted commander of Shivaji, and the Mughal forces led by Uday Bhan Rathod, the Mughal fort-keeper of Kondhana fort.

Devgn will be seen as the brave and loyal Tanhaji, Saif as the aggressive and ruthless Uday Bhan, and Kajol as Tanhaji’s wife. Sharad Kelkar is playing the character of the Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji, while Luke Kenny will be seen as the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

History tells us that the Treaty of Purandar had been signed between Maharaja Jai Singh, a senior general of the Mughal Emperor and Shivaji after the former besieged the Purandar fort in 1665. Shivaji had to give up the strategically significant fort of Kondhana, which was not acceptable to his mother Rajmata Jijabai.

Five years later, Shivaji decided to reclaim the lost fort. Jijabai advised him to choose Tanhaji for leading the attack. It is said that Tanhaji left his son’s wedding to prepare for the operation against the Mughals.

The commander and his men scaled the fort with the help of a domesticated lizard named Yashwanti, surprising Uday Bhan and his men. A furious battle followed, leading to victory for the Marathas. What ruined the joy of triumph was Tanhaji’s death in action. Although the crucial battle for possession was won, the tragedy resulted in heartbreak for Shivaji.

Tanhaji...is the story of the man who made the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield while fighting a battle for possession against a powerful adversary. Devgn is impressive as the leader of patriotic armed men, although Saif as Uday Bhan might turn out to be the scene-stealer. In a film about a battle for territory, one would like to see what Kajol’s character has to offer. The trailer doesn’t tell us much about its significance in the story.

An expensive film shot on a grand scale, Tanhaji...will appeal to those who know about his role in Indian medieval history. As the title states, however, he has been an unsung warrior so far. So, the film might have a modest start and gather momentum only if viewers and critics respond with good feedback after the first day.