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Tanhaji
Directed byOm Raut
Written by
  • Prakash Kapadia
  • Ajay Devgn
Produced by
Starring
Narrated bySanjay Mishra
CinematographyKeiko Nakahara
Edited byDharmendra Sharma
Music byScore:
Sandeep Shirodkar
Songs:
Ajay–Atul
Sachet–Parampara
Mehul Vyas
Prasenjit Kosambi
Production
companies
Distributed byAA Films
Release date
  • 10 January 2020 (2020-01-10) (India)
Running time
135 minutes[1]
CountryIndia[1]
LanguageHindi
Budget₹125 crore[2][3][4]
Box officeest. ₹367.65 crore[5]

Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior is a 2020 Indian Hindi-language epic historical action film, co-written and directed by Om Raut and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar and Ajay Devgn under T-Series Films and Ajay Devgn FFilms. Tracing the life of Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare, it stars Ajay Devgn as the eponymous lead, Kajol and Saif Ali Khan. It also features Neha Sharma, Sharad Kelkar and Luke Kenny in supporting roles.[citation needed] Set in the 17th century, it revolves around Tanaji's attempts to recapture the Kondhana fortress once it passed on to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who transfers its control to his trusted guard Udaybhan Singh Rathore. It marks as Devgn's 100th film since joining Bollywood 20 years ago.

The film was originally named Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior but the name was later changed to Tanhaji.[6][7] The film was launched on 20 July 2017, with Raut making his directorial debut in Bollywood. Raut previously directed Lokmanya: Ek Yug Purush (2015), for which he received acclaim. The film was simultaneously dubbed in Marathi following popular demand.[8] Principal photography commenced on 25 September 2018,[9][10] and completed within May 2019. Filming took in mostly across the Film City in Mumbai, and few scenes shot at Pune. The cinematography and editing were handled by Keiko Nakahara and Dharmendra Sharma. The background score was composed by Sandeep Shirodkar; the soundtrack album was composed by Ajay–Atul, Sachet–Parampara and Mehul Vyas and released under the label T-Series.

Tanhaji was released in India in 3D, 2D and conventional formats on 10 January 2020.[11] The film received wide critical and public praise for Devgn and Khan's performances, the visual effects, cinematography, action sequences, art direction, music, score, and editing.[12] The film grossed ₹367.65 crore (equivalent to ₹433 crore or US$51 million in 2023) worldwide and was declared a major success at the box office, thus becoming the highest grossing Hindi film of 2020 as well as highest grossing Indian film of 2020.[5] The film was selected as one of the Best Foreign Film to be screened at the 78th Golden Globe Awards.[13] At the 68th National Film Awards, the film won the awards for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, Best Actor (Devgn) and Best Costume Design. At the 66th Filmfare Awards, Tanhaji received 13 nominations, including Best Film and Best Actor (Devgn), and won four awards, including Best Director (Raut) and Best Supporting Actor (Khan).

Plot

[edit]

In 1647, young Tanhaji Malusare is trained in swordsmanship by his father, Kaloji Malusare, who is later killed during a Mughal raid on their village of Umrat. Seventeen years later, in 1664, Tanhaji, now a military commander in the service of Shivaji Maharaj, leads forces alongside his younger brother Suryaji in defeating a Mughal cavalry detachment.

In 1665, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb dispatches his uncle, the Maharaja of Amber Jai Singh I, to check Shivaji’s territorial expansion in the Deccan Plateau. Following the Battle of Purandar, Shivaji is compelled to cede control of 23 forts to the Mughal Empire, including the strategic Kondhana Fort. Subsequently, the Mughal general Beshak Khan insults Shivaji’s mother, Jijabai, who vows to remain barefoot until Kondhana is recaptured.

By 1670, Shivaji’s spies report Aurangzeb’s plan to place Kondhana under the command of Rajput general Udaybhan Rathod, who will use it as a base for Mughal advances in southern India. Udaybhan is transporting a massive cannon, ‘‘Naagin’’, intended to target Maratha positions. Shivaji formulates a plan to retake Kondhana but withholds the details from Tanhaji, whose son Rayba’s wedding is imminent. During the Holi festival, Tanhaji visits Rajgad Fort to invite Shivaji and Jijabai to the wedding. However, Maratha noble Chandraji Pisal, secretly allied with Udaybhan, informs Tanhaji of the planned campaign in an attempt to draw him into a trap. Tanhaji insists on leading the mission, postponing his son’s wedding despite Shivaji’s initial reluctance.

Pisal warns Udaybhan of the Maratha strategy. Using this intelligence, Udaybhan deceives Tanhaji into attacking Maratha soldiers disguised as Mughals. Udaybhan reaches Kondhana unopposed, positions ‘‘Naagin’’ toward Rajgad, and reinforces the fort’s defenses. Tanhaji infiltrates Kondhana through a concealed passage and rallies local villagers to resist Mughal control. During Shivratri celebrations, he kills Pisal’s nephew Chultya for treachery but is captured and tortured by Udaybhan. Jagat Singh, Udaybhan’s subordinate and the brother of captive Kamal Devi, secretly frees Tanhaji and informs him of Udaybhan’s intention to marry Kamal Devi by force. Tanhaji vows to rescue her and reclaim Kondhana.

On the night of 4 February 1670, coinciding with Ashtami, Tanhaji leads a surprise assault on Kondhana. His forces scale the fort’s steep walls and engage the Mughal garrison in fierce combat. Amid the chaos, Jagat Singh and Kamal Devi escape. As Udaybhan prepares to fire ‘‘Naagin’’ at Rajgad, Tanhaji intercepts him. In the ensuing duel, Tanhaji loses an arm but kills Udaybhan, pushing him and the cannon over a cliff. Mortally wounded, Tanhaji plants the Bhagwa Dhwaj on Kondhana before succumbing to his injuries.

When Shivaji arrives, the fort is back under Maratha control. Mourning his fallen commander, Shivaji remarks, “’‘Gad aala, pan sinh gela’’” (“The fort has been captured, but the lion is lost”). Shivaji personally oversees Rayba’s wedding, while Savitribai, Tanhaji’s widow, fulfills her promise to dress as a bride in private as she awaits his return. Aurangzeb’s plan to consolidate Mughal control in southern India is delayed for another eighteen years until he personally campaigns in the Deccan.

Cast

[edit]
  • Ajay Devgn as Subhedar Tanaji Malusare
  • Kajol as Savitri Bai
  • Saif Ali Khan as Udaybhan Singh Rathore
  • Sharad Kelkar as Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
  • Neha Sharma as Kamla Devi
  • Luke Kenny as King Aurangzeb
  • Vipul Gupta as Jagat Singh
  • Padmavati Rao as Rajmata Jijabai
  • Elakshi Gupta as Soyarabai
  • Sanjay Mishra as Narrator
  • Shashank Shende as Shelaar Mama
  • Devdatta Nage as Suryaji Malusare
  • Ajinkya Deo as Chandraji Pisal
  • Yuri Suri as Jai Singh I
  • Jagannath Nivangune as Kaloji Malusare
  • Trisha Patil as Parvati Bai
  • Hardik Sangani as Gondya
  • Nissar Khan as Beshak Khan
  • Prasanna Ketkar as Ghersarnaik
  • Kailash Waghmare as Chultiya
  • Harsh Sharma as Young Tanaji
  • Ranav Sharma as Young Suryaji
  • Arush Nand as Rayaba Malusare
  • Dhairyasheel Gholap as Shrubhau
  • Nilesh Lalwani as Tatya
  • Pramod More as Leader of Gondia
  • Bhagyashree Nhalve as Suryaji's wife
  • Devendra Gaikwad as Rayaba's father-in-law
  • Rajesh Ahir as Raja Sangram Singh
  • Angad Mhaskar as Pant
  • Nikhat Khan as Udaybhan's mother
  • Antima Sharma as Nafeesa
  • Niranjan Jadhao as Trimbak Rao
  • Shivraj Walvekar as Pratap Rao
  • Rajveer Ankur Singh as Khaibar Khan
  • Ramchandran Singh as Raja Kaka
  • Myrah Dandekar as Rayaba's wife
  • Tufali Khan as Munawar Khan
  • Mridul Kumar as Noor Khan Baig
  • Sandeep Juwatkar as Gujar
  • Ajay Kumar Nain as Rajput Vakil
  • Rakesh Bhavsar as peshwa
  • Nitesh Kalbande as Divya Malusare
  • Tareeq Ahmed Khan as Mughal Soldier

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

After completing his work on the directorial venture Shivaay (2016), Ajay Devgn, announced his next film on 29 July 2016, titled Sons of Sardaar: Battle of Saragarhi,[14][15] a big-budget war film based on the 1897 Saragarhi battle between 21 Sikhs and 10,000 Afghans.[16] Made on a huge scale, Devgn planned to start the production work in late 2016, and decided to release the film on Diwali next year;[17] However, when Karan Johar announced Kesari, another film based on the battle of Saragarhi, Devgn decided to postpone the project after September 2017.[18] In late February 2019, it was reported that Devgn had shelved the project.[citation needed]

Meanwhile, Ajay Devgn, decided to do another period film with Om Raut, based on the life of Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare,[19] which was titled officially as Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior.[20] The first look of Taanaji was released on 20 July 2017,[21] through Devgn's official Twitter account,[22] and pre-production work commenced the following day. In August 2017, a report from Asian Age, claimed that the film will also be made simultaneously in Marathi language, due to the demand of the story, and also Raut's popularity in Marathi, after the success of Lokmanya: Ek Yug Purush (2015).[23]

A source claimed that the film's pre-production work wouldgo on for 6–8 months, and Ajay Devgn would start the shoot of the film in March 2018.[24] However, the team undertook heavy VFX works for the film for 6–8 months, and Devgn's NY VFXWAALA was brought on board for the film,[25] whereas filmmakers planned to release the film in 3D formats, thus delaying the film's shoot to September 2018.[26] On 2 August 2018, Bhushan Kumar of T-Series,[27] undertook the project in collaboration with Ajay Devgn's production company and planned to start the shoot in end of September.[28] In March 2019, the film's title Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior was changed to Tanhaji,[29] due to numerological reasons.[30][31]

Casting

[edit]

In October 2018, Kajol was reported to play the role of Taanaji's wife in the film.[32][33] In January 2019, Saif Ali Khan was reported to play the role of Udaybhan Singh Rathore, one of the main antagonists of the film.[34] For his role, Khan had to practise sword fighting and horse-riding, as part of the character. In an interview with Mid-Day, he stated "A chunk of the research has been done by Om, who has done a thorough job. Since it is an action-packed film, I was required to look leaner. I had to be adept in horse riding. The fact that I was coming straight off Navdeep's [Singh] film (Laal Kaptaan) made it easier. The physical prep has been rigorous for this film."[35]

Filming

[edit]

Principal photography began on 25 September 2018,[36] with a muhurat shot given by Om Raut.[37][38] The film's first schedule was commenced in October 2018, with Kajol filming her portions in Mumbai.[39]

Tanhaji was filmed mainly at the Film City in Mumbai. Director Om Raut claimed that in the movie, visual effects played a major part. The director also said that making the Sandhan Valley set was the biggest challenge for them. The makers had to create a 300-foot (91 m) long set to make it look like the Sandhan Valley.[citation needed] In the making video of the film, Raut stated: "Creating the 300-foot (91 m) long gorge inside a theatre was extremely difficult," adding that the production designers "went and took moulds of the stones and rocks which are there in the valley and they built a wall. And what we did in the effects after that is we put in effects on it."[40]

The team of the film also shot some parts at Chitrakoot Ground in Andheri. Some parts of the film were also filmed at Pune.[citation needed] In January 2019, the team kicked off a song shoot which has been mounted on a lavish scale and that a special set was erected for this number.[41] Kajol, however, shot for this number last year, in the last week of December. As the song was so elaborate that the shooting schedule for the same was as long as a week and the number will feature some amazing diya and rangoli setup representing that era. Keeping in the mind the period that the film is set up in, Kajol sported wearing a traditional Maharashtrian outfit in the song.[41]

In March 2019, a source claimed that 60% of the shoot was completed, and the team took a break, after Devgn being busy for the promotions of his film Total Dhamaal (2019).[42] In April 2019, a climax shoot featuring Devgn and Khan was filmed in a huge scale, and the stunt sequence was choreographed by Ramazan Bulut, who worked in the stunt department for Hollywood films Rush (2013) and Inferno (2016).[43] The principal photography wrapped up in May 2019.[43]

Soundtrack

[edit]
Tanhaji
Soundtrack album by
Ajay–Atul, Sachet–Parampara Mehul Vyas and Prasenjit Kosambi
Released8 January 2020[44]
Recorded2018–2019
GenreFilmi
Length17:27
LanguageHindi
LabelT-Series
External audio
audio icon Official Audio Jukebox on YouTube

The film's soundtrack album was composed by Ajay–Atul, Sachet–Parampara Mehul Vyas and Prasenjit Kosambi with lyrics written by Swanand Kirkire Anil Verma and Abhijit Kosambi. The background score of the film is composed by Sandeep Shirodkar. The album features four tracks with vocals by Mehul Vyas, Adarsh Shinde, Sukhwinder Singh, Shreya Ghoshal, Sachet Tandon, Parampara Thakur, Ganesh Chandanshive, Harshdeep Kaur and Prasenjit Kosambi. It was released on 20 December 2019 by T-Series.[45] The soundtrack album for the Marathi version had reused the same set of vocals, excluding for some songs, whose vocals were provided by Avadhoot Gupte and Kirti Killedar.[46]

Debarati Sen of The Times of India, writing for the soundtrack album in her review, praised "Maay Bhavani" stating "Ajay-Atul has excelled in the beautiful merging of different tempos, and deftly woven in the varied nuances of classical and folk in one single package."[47] Vipin Nair, in his review for The Hindu, stated "With three hummable numbers, the film's music is enjoyable but nothing out of the ordinary."[48] Joginder Tuteja of Bollywood Hungama reviewed "The soundtrack of Tanhaji – The Unsung Warrior delivers as expected. Though there aren't many memorable songs out there, they do well enough to keep the film's narrative engaging."[49]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Shankara Re Shankara"Anil VermaMehul VyasMehul Vyas3:31
2."Maay Bhavani"Swanand KirkireAjay–AtulSukhwinder Singh, Shreya Ghoshal, Ajay Gogavale4:18
3."Ghamand Kar"Anil VermaSachet–ParamparaSachet Tandon, Parampara Thakur4:42
4."Tinak Tinak"Anil VermaSachet–ParamparaHarshdeep Kaur3:54
5."Asa Mard Maratha Tanhaji"Abhijit KosambiPrasenjit KosambiPrasenjit Kosambi1:02
Total length:17:27

Marketing and release

[edit]

Tanhaji, considered to be one of the most anticipated Hindi films of the year,[50][additional citation(s) needed] was initially scheduled to release on 29 November 2019,[51] post-Diwali, but the release was postponed to the necessity of VFX works in a large scale needed for the film.[52] On 28 March 2019, the makers rescheduled the release date to 10 January 2020.[53]

Prior to the release of the film, the Sambhaji Brigade faced objection of some scenes from the trailer which released in November 2019.[54][55] In a letter written to the crew members, dated 20 November 2019, the organization had alleged that the film has intentionally tried to erase Shivaji Maharaj's secular image. They had also taken objection to the dialogues of Kajol who plays the role of Savitribai Malusare.[56] The organization had also demanded a special screening of the film ahead of its release.[57] Later, Nationalist Congress Party leader Jitendra Ahwad, threatened the makers of the film to make several changes to the trailer of the film,[58] also accused filmmaker Om Raut of depicting history inaccurately and unethically and showing the Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare in a wrong way.[59][60] The Akhil Bhartiya Kshatriya Koli Rajput Sangh had filed a petition in Delhi High Court on 13 December 2019, claiming that its director Om Raut has concealed the true lineage of the great warrior Tanaji Malusare in the movie.[61][62] In January 2020, the Central Board of Film Certification deleted controversial references in the film, and ensured multiple disclaimers in the beginning to avoid controversies.[63]

Tanhaji opened up to 4,540 screens worldwide, which included 3,880 screens in 3D and conventional formats in Hindi and Marathi versions and 660 screens overseas.[64] A day before its release, the makers premiered a special screening of the film on 9 January,[65] featuring Devgn and his family, along with the cast and crew.[66] Later on 13 January, Devgn hosted special screening of the film, for 600 school children at the Inox Megaplex in Mumbai, to know about the history of Tanaji Malusare.[67] Another special screening was held on 20 January for the army and navy officials.[68] The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation had tied up an association with the Directorate of Tourism and the film's team to attract tourists to know about the history of Tanaji Malusare and its legacy.[69] The film was declared tax-free in Uttar Pradesh,[70] Haryana[71] and Maharashtra.[72] This film was also released dubbed in Marathi-language following popular demand.[8]

Tanhaji's world television premiere took place on 26 July 2020 at Star Plus,[citation needed] and registered 1.2 crore impressions on its first airing.[73] The film released on Disney+ Hotstar on 6 March 2020.[74]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 75% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6/10.[75]

A review over the Hindustan Times noted it to be a magnificent work, which had exceptional individual performances, a captivating story-line and excellent virtual effects.[76] Namrata Joshi of The Hindu noted of the film to have started off well, before floundering in the middle but regaining brilliance at the end, delivering a catharsis and adrenaline rush.[77] Uday Bhatia of The Mint noted it to be a silly cartoon history, which borrowed its physics from Prince of Persia, but nonetheless consisted of fluent actions and interesting individual performances.[78] Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV noted it to be a historically inauthentic work that ironed out any and all nuances in its portrayal of a saffronized Hindu-Muslim binary; however, he noted the overall production to be crisp and backed by powerful individual performances.[79] Tanul Thakur of The Wire noted it to be a work that had excellent cinematography but was intensely buoyed down by its ahistorical religio-nationalist propaganda, catering to the overall saffronization of India.[80]

Shubhra Gupta over The Indian Express noted it to offer a "simplistic, dressed-up slice of the past" that painted hyperbolic tales of Maratha bravery with a Hindu fervor.[81] Sukanya Verma of Rediff noted it to be a mythical retelling of history with a bout of saffron fervor; individual performances and choreography of combat sequences were praised.[82] Rajeev Masand noted it to be a dubiously stereotyped fictional work, which appealed to the hyper-nationalistic climate but had robust filmography, visceral battle scenes, and superb individual performances.[citation needed] A critic from The Economic Times praised the visual effects, computer graphics and editing of the film, making it a must-watch film.[83] Stutee Ghosh of The Quint noted it to be a visually stunning film with strong individual performances, despite its broad liberties with historical accuracy and problematic prejudices.[84] Jyoti Kanyal of India Today gave two-and-a-half out of five stars stating "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior is an exaggerated and slow-paced ode to the great Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare."[85]

Writing for the Firstpost, Devanesh Sharma gave two-and-a-half out of five stars and praised Kajol and Khan's performance while criticizing Devgn's characterization as the review stated "The leading man, though undoubtedly an unsung warrior, as the title suggests, comes across as rather one-dimensional, as Devgn fails to take his character beyond the written word."[86] Harshada Rege of The Times of India gave four out of five stars and stated "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior scores on various counts – superior performances, powerful action, visual impact, and most of all, it unfolds a story from the pages of history that deserved to be told, with just this kind of intensity, passion and vigor."[87] Sify gave the film 3 out of 5 stars stating "Tanhaji is substantially enriched by its technical crew that has worked to create a splendid canvas for the cast to shine upon. It tells the story of a lesser known hero from the chapters of Indian history, which makes this an intriguing film."[88]

Monika Rawal Kukreja of Hindustan Times wrote in her review stating "Tanhaji is a complete package. It’s magnificent, high on visual effects and has powerful action backed by rock solid performances."[89] Rohit Vats of News18 gave three-and-a-half out of five stars stating "Devgn and Khan ensure that the viewers get enough dose of high-voltage dialogues, along with fascinating action scenes."[90] Nandini Ramnath of Scroll stated "Tanhaji loudly sings its hero’s praises, creating a spectacle that is thrilling when in battle mode and troubling when considering the dynamic between the Marathas and the Mughals."[91]

Avinash Ramachandran of The New Indian Express gave three out of five stars stating "In Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, we get to see iconic warriors of India shed tears copiously. We get to see jingoism masked as Maratha valor. There are a lot of things going for Tanhaji, but, deep inside, it is unsettling to see such polarizing historical dramas."[92] A critic from Bollywood Hungama rated four out of five stars and stated Tanhaji is an entertaining and a paisa-vasool film that would be loved by the masses as well as classes.[93] Suparna Sharma of Deccan Chronicle gave three out of five stars stating "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, whose plot is essentially a march towards the battle, is not a bad film. It is, in fact, quite entertaining when it is at war."[94] A critic from Daily News and Analysis gave three out of five stars stating "Watch it for the magnificent performances by Kajol and Khan who clearly outshine this Devgn-led vehicle."[95]

Box office

[edit]

Tanhaji earned ₹15.10 crore (US$2.04 million) at the domestic box office on its opening day. On the second day, the film collected ₹20.57 crore (US$2.78 million). On the third day, the film collected ₹26.26 crore (US$3.54 million), taking total opening weekend collection to ₹619.3 million ₹61.93 crore (US$8.36 million).[5][96] On the fourth day (13 January), the film collected ₹13.75 crore (US$1.86 million), and film's collection stood at ₹75.63 crore (US$10.21 million).[97] On the fifth day (14 January), the collection stood much higher after the long holiday weekend owing to Makar Sankranti and the film collected ₹15.28 crore (US$2.06 million), totalling the first five-day collection to ₹90.96 crore (US$12.28 million).[98] On 15 January, the film hit the ₹100-crore mark,[99] as the six-day collections stood up to ₹107.68 crore (US$14.53 million).[100][101] At the end of the first week (16 January),[102] the film collected ₹118.91 crore (US$16.05 million).[103] The film collected ₹128.97 crore (US$17.4 million), on the eighth day of its release,[104] with a strong opening on the second Friday.[105]

The film crossed the ₹150 crore mark on the tenth day of its release.[106][107] On 25 January, the film crossed the ₹200 crore mark,[108] as the overall collection stood up to ₹202.83 crore (US$27.37 million).[109] On 3 February, the film collected ₹250 crore (US$33.74 million) at the box office.[citation needed] At the end of its seventh week, the film collected ₹276.90 crore (US$37.37 million).[110] The film managed to earn ₹279.60 crore (US$37.73 million),[111] at the domestic box office, within 50 days of its release.[citation needed] As of 13 March 2020, with theatres closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film had accumulated ₹332.8 crore (US$44.91 million),[112] in India and ₹34.85 crore (US$4.7 million) overseas,[112] thus collecting ₹367.65 crore (US$49.62 million) worldwide, it became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2020.[112][5]

Historical inaccuracy

[edit]

In the final fight against Udaybhan Rathod, Tanhaji lost his shield, not his arm.[113] Tanhaji's brother Suryaji Malusare also fought bravely. Tanhaji never a threw stick at Chhtrapati Shivaji Maharaj as depicted in this film. In 17th century Maratha warriors used shields made up of the back of tortoise, they did not use shields made up of metals as shown in this movie. In one scene a barber helps Udaybhan but this incident has no historical truth. Tanhaji was never captured and held captive by Udaybhan Rathod as depicted in this film. Moreover, some sources reveal that Udaybhan was killed by Shelar Mama, and not by Tanhaji, as depicted in the movie.[114][115][unreliable source?]

Accolades

[edit]
Award[a] Date of ceremony[b] Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Filmfare Awards 27 March 2021 Best Film Ajay Devgn FFilms, T-Series Nominated [116]
[117]
Best Director Om Raut Won
Best Actor Ajay Devgn Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Saif Ali Khan Won
Best Screenplay Prakash Kapadia, Om Raut Nominated
Best Dialogue Prakash Kapadia Nominated
Best Cinematography Keiko Nakahara Nominated
Best Production Design Sriram Kannan Iyengar, Sujeet Sawant Nominated
Best Costume Design Nachiket Barve, Mahesh Sheria Nominated
Best Action Ramazan Bulut, Rp Yadav Won
Best Choreography Ganesh Acharya – ("Shankara Re Shankara") Nominated
Best Special Effects Prasad Sutar Won
Best Background Score Sandeep Shirodkar Nominated
IIFA Awards 4 June 2022 Best Film Ajay Devgn FFilms, T-Series Nominated [118]
Best Supporting Actor Saif Ali Khan Nominated
Best Sound Design Lochan Kanvinde Won
National Film Awards 22 July 2022 Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment Ajay Devgn FFilms Won [119]
Best Actor Ajay Devgn[c] Won
Best Costume Design Nachiket Barve & Mahesh Sherla Won

Legacy and social impact

[edit]

Tanhaji became the highest-rated film of the year.[citation needed] A report from Google Trends stated that the film is the third most searched film on Google.[121][122] The film was selected as one of the Best Foreign Film to be screened at the 78th Golden Globe Awards in January 2021.[123]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Tanhaji

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
is a 2020 Indian Hindi-language epic historical co-written and directed by . The film centers on the 17th-century Maratha commander Tanaji Malusare's audacious nighttime raid to recapture the Kondhana Fort (later ) from Mughal forces in February 1670, under orders from Maharaj, employing tactics such as scaling sheer cliffs with iron claws modeled after a monitor lizard's grip. Starring as the titular warrior, as the fictionalized Mughal defender Udaybhan Rathod, as Tanaji's spouse, and as , it emphasizes themes of loyalty, ingenuity, and sacrifice amid Maratha resistance to Mughal expansion. Produced by T-Series, FFilms, and , the film was released on 10 January 2020 in standard, 3D, and formats, grossing ₹367.65 worldwide against a budget exceeding ₹100 , marking it as a major commercial hit and one of the highest-grossing films of the year. It garnered acclaim for its , battle choreography, and Devgn's portrayal but faced critique for melodramatic scripting, pacing issues, and deviations from historical records, including invented subplots and anachronistic elements that prioritize cinematic spectacle over strict fidelity to primary accounts like Maratha chronicles. Pre-release controversies arose when an NCP legislator accused the filmmakers of unethical historical misrepresentation, demanding corrections, though the project proceeded amid broader debates on in Indian cinema.

Historical Background

Tanaji Malusare's Life and Role

was born around 1600 in Godoli village, Javali taluka, , , into a family that supported the emerging Maratha resistance. As a close associate and commander under Maharaj from the early 1650s, he participated in operations leveraging the Marathas' mastery of Deccan ghats and plateaus for asymmetric engagements against numerically superior Mughal and Bijapuri forces. This approach relied on mobility, surprise raids, and fortified hill positions to inflict disproportionate casualties, as evidenced by Maratha successes in disrupting supply lines and isolating garrisons during the 1660s expansion phase. Malusare's documented exploits included roles in fortification defenses and preemptive strikes, contributing to Shivaji's consolidation of swarajya through terrain-dependent tactics that minimized direct confrontations. Accounts from Maratha chronicles highlight his resolve in smaller-scale actions, such as scouting and rapid assaults, which aligned with the causal effectiveness of guerrilla methods in prolonging enemy overextension across the Western Ghats. These efforts underscored the empirical advantages of local knowledge over imperial logistics, enabling Maratha forces to hold key passes despite resource disparities. In early 1670, Malusare led approximately 300-500 troops in the nighttime assault on the Mughal-held Kondana fort, scaling sheer cliffs using ropes attached to a for grip, overcoming natural defenses deemed impregnable. On February 4, 1670, during with the fort's Udaybhanu, Malusare sustained fatal wounds after losing his right arm, securing the position but at the cost of his life; his brother Suryaji completed the capture. , upon learning of the victory and loss, reportedly lamented, "Gad aala, pan sinh gela" (the fort is gained, but the is lost), renaming Kondana to to honor Malusare's sacrifice. Malusare's legacy endures in Maratha oral traditions, including the ballad by , which recounts his heroism and tactical ingenuity, preserving empirical details of the fort's recapture amid sparse contemporary records from Mughal court chronicles that underreport Deccan setbacks. This event exemplified individual resolve amplifying collective Maratha capabilities in 17th-century conflicts, with the renamed fort serving as a strategic until its later abandonment.

The Battle of Sinhagad

The recapture of Kondhana Fort, strategically vital for controlling the region and overlooking key passes, became a priority for after the 1665 Treaty of Purandar ceded it to the Mughals, as it weakened Maratha defenses against Mughal incursions. In 1670, Shivaji selected to lead a , emphasizing stealth over a prolonged , which would have required vast resources and risked alerting reinforcements; this approach exploited the fort's sheer cliffs—rising nearly 1,000 feet—where a less steep eastern allowed for clandestine ascent, bypassing the heavily guarded gates and walls. On the night of February 4–5, 1670, Tanaji commanded approximately 300 warriors, lightly equipped for mobility, who scaled the cliff using a rope ladder secured by iron grips mimicking crocodile claws (ghorpadi) to anchor into rock crevices, silencing sentries to maintain surprise. This vertical envelopment tactic, rooted in guerrilla principles of asymmetry, overwhelmed the Mughal under Udaybhan Rathod before they could mount a coordinated defense, as the Marathas poured over the walls in small waves to seize interior positions. Hand-to-hand combat ensued in the fort's confines, lasting about three hours, with Maratha forces leveraging numerical inferiority through shock and to isolate defenders; Tanaji engaged Udaybhan in personal combat, employing a tiger-claw (wagh nakh) in close quarters, resulting in both commanders' deaths amid the . Tanaji's brother Suryaji rallied the troops after his fall, securing the fort by setting fire to the stables as a prearranged signal to at Rajgad, visible across the valley. According to the Sabhasad , a Maratha composed decades later that glorifies Shivaji's campaigns but likely inflates enemy losses for purposes, the Mughals suffered around 1,200 casualties, many leaping from cliffs in desperation, while Maratha losses centered on Tanaji and an unspecified number of his men, underscoring the high cost of such audacious assaults. In the immediate aftermath, Shivaji renamed the fort ("Lion's Fort") to honor Tanaji's ferocity, lamenting "Gad aala pan sinh gela" ("The fort is gained, but the is lost"), a phrase reflecting the pyrrhic nature of the victory—strategic gain at the expense of a key commander, yet it catalyzed the swift reclamation of 26 other forts within months, bolstering Maratha and against Mughal superiority. This outcome demonstrated the efficacy of precision strikes on high-value targets, though reliant on irreplaceable elite leadership, as evidenced by the operation's dependence on Tanaji's tactical acumen.

Broader Maratha Resistance to Mughal Expansion

Chhatrapati Maharaj's ascent in the post-1650s era marked the inception of organized Maratha resistance to Mughal dominance, centered on the concept of swarajya—self-rule through strategic fortification and naval buildup to safeguard Deccan territories. By the 1650s, had initiated the construction of a Maratha navy to counter Portuguese and naval threats along the coast, commissioning vessels and erecting sea forts such as Sindhudurg in 1664, Vijaydurg, and Kolaba between 1653 and 1680, which enabled control over maritime trade routes and prevented Mughal encirclement. These efforts directly opposed Emperor Aurangzeb's southward expansionism, evidenced in his Deccan campaigns that annexed in 1686 and in 1687, as chronicled in Mughal records emphasizing subjugation of regional powers to consolidate imperial jagirs. Underlying this resistance were stark economic disparities: Maratha reforms under shifted from the Mughal jagirdari system—prone to over-extraction and administrative decay as jagirdars prioritized personal revenue over sustainability—to a ryotwari-like direct assessment on cultivators, fostering agricultural expansion and local loyalty by taxing newly cultivated lands lightly and enforcing collections to ensure solvency without alienating peasantry. Mughal jagirs, by contrast, suffered from chronic crises due to hereditary assignments leading to revenue shortfalls and rebellions, as imperial overreach strained treasuries amid endless . Culturally, Maratha ideology emphasized sovereignty rooted in Hindu and regional autonomy, contrasting Aurangzeb's orthodox impositions like jizya reinstatement in 1679, which alienated non-Muslim elites and fueled sustained guerrilla campaigns for rather than mere tribute extraction. The 1670 recapture of fort exemplified this dynamic, serving as a linchpin for territorial consolidation by restoring command over Pune's approaches and enabling swift seizures of adjacent strongholds—Purandar, Rohida, , and —within six months, thereby disrupting Mughal supply lines and bolstering Maratha defensive perimeters. This victory empirically catalyzed empire-building momentum, transitioning from defensive ganimi kava tactics to offensive projections that persisted under subsequent leaders, including Baji Rao I (1720–1740), whose campaigns extended Maratha influence into , , and , amassing tribute from over 150,000 villages and peaking territorial control at roughly one-third of the subcontinent by mid-century. Such expansions refute Mughal-centric portrayals of Maratha actions as ephemeral "regional unrest," revealing instead a coherent of imperial counter-formation grounded in fortified sovereignty and adaptive fiscal resilience.

Film Development and Production

Conception and Scriptwriting

Om Raut conceived the film Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior from a childhood fascination with the Maratha warrior , whom he encountered in history books, leading him to begin scripting in 2015. Raut co-wrote the with Prakash Kapadia, emphasizing the recapture of the Kondhana fort (later ) in 1670 as a pivotal act of loyalty to Maharaj amid Mughal occupation. Raut conducted three years of research, consulting historians and reviewing historical texts to ensure fidelity to Tanaji's character and the era's , prioritizing the warrior's sacrifice and strategic ingenuity over dramatized embellishments. The script aimed to elevate an overlooked figure in Maratha resistance, framing the narrative around causal elements of , guerrilla ascent, and personal cost rather than romanticized heroism. The project was formally announced on March 24, 2019, under production by FFilms and T-Series, with an intended epic scale to depict authentic Maratha valor for nationwide appeal. Budget estimates ranged from ₹100-120 , allocated toward period authenticity including Marathi linguistic and cultural nuances in dialogue and ethos.

Casting Decisions

Director chose to portray Subhedar as his first preference even prior to finalizing the script, emphasizing Devgn's intense eyes and commanding presence as ideal for embodying the historical figure's multifaceted identity as a devoted husband, father, brother, friend, and formidable Maratha warrior. This selection prioritized an actor's established action-hero stature to evoke the valor of empirical warrior archetypes, steering away from driven solely by celebrity appeal toward historical resonance. Saif Ali Khan was cast as the antagonist Udaybhan Singh Rathore, a commander from the Rathod clan loyal to Mughal forces, to provide a disciplined yet ruthless counterpoint to Tanaji's heroism, drawing on Khan's capacity for layered villainy akin to unhinged yet strategic figures in historical conflicts. The choice highlighted a deliberate contrast in , rooted in Udaybhan's documented amid Maratha-Mughal tensions, without relying on overt glamour. Kajol portrayed Savitribai Malusare, Tanaji's wife, at Devgn's insistence, with the casting underscoring her role in humanizing the familial stakes of the warrior's sacrifices; noted the absence of direct historical references for the character, which imposed a sense of responsibility to depict authentic domestic resilience amid 17th-century Maratha life. Sharad Kelkar was selected as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for his alignment with cultural authenticity in leadership depiction, leveraging his prior voice work and affinity for the figure to avoid superficial celebrity substitutions in favor of grounded historical gravitas. This decision reinforced the film's commitment to portraying Maratha command structures through actors capable of evoking strategic depth over star-driven narratives.

Filming Process and Challenges

Principal photography for Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior began on 25 September 2018 and wrapped by May 2019, spanning locations primarily in Mumbai's Film City studios and Filmistan Studio in , with additional shoots in to capture period-appropriate environments. Production emphasized practical set construction for key sequences, including a massive 300-foot-long gorge replicating Maharashtra's Sandhan Valley, built indoors within a studio theater using rock molds and structural walls to simulate the terrain traversed by Maratha forces. The recreation of Sandhan Valley posed significant logistical hurdles, described by director as a "tricky situation" due to the scale and , requiring precise to erect a believable natural while ensuring actor safety and camera mobility. Production designers Sriram Iyengar and Sujeet Sawant oversaw the build, focusing on authentic textures derived from real valley references to maintain historical realism without relying solely on digital augmentation during principal shoots. Action sequences demanded rigorous preparation for authenticity, with undergoing seven weeks of specialized training to wield a as the Udaybhan Rathod, culminating in intensive rehearsals for the film's climactic alongside . This hands-on approach extended to broader choreography, prioritizing physical precision to evoke 17th-century Maratha-Mughal warfare tactics, though the indoor sets occasionally constrained movement for large-scale battle recreations.

Technical Innovations in Visuals and Action

The in Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior comprised approximately 2,500 shots, primarily handled by NY VFXWAALA under supervisor Prasad Sutar, enabling the recreation of 17th-century fortresses and battle sequences through set extensions and CGI layering rather than on-location filming. These included fully digital animals for consistent depiction in combat scenes, stylized fire effects to convey intensity without historical , and realistic water simulations integrated into dynamics, all grounded in physics-based rendering to simulate gravity and motion verifiably. Pre-visualization spanned two years, mapping every shot to blend practical stunt work—such as controlled small-group engagements—with digital enhancements, ensuring causal fidelity in depictions of rope ascents and clashes that mirrored the limited scale of Maratha guerrilla operations. A notable was the six-to-seven-month planning for Tanaji's fort entry sequence, prioritizing empirical trajectory and impact over exaggerated fantasy. Cinematography by Keiko Nakahara emphasized frame composition suited to 3D presentation, capturing action in confined spaces to heighten immersion while maintaining visual in period environments. Action design incorporated by a German team, devising sequences that avoided large-scale field battles in favor of tactical, close-quarters maneuvers reflective of historical tactics, with stunts executed to align physical realism and safety. This approach yielded immersive recreations of Sinhagad's capture, fusing verifiable historical constraints with enhanced scale through VFX.

Cast and Performances

Lead Roles and Character Interpretations

portrays as a paragon of unyielding resolve, embodying the principles of yudh through his depiction as a Maratha who prioritizes collective over personal safety during the 1670 recapture of Fort. Devgn's rigorous physical preparation, including training to simulate the warrior's agility in cliff-scaling assaults, highlights Tanaji's historical role as Shivaji's trusted , who led a surprise night attack using ropes and ghorpads (monitor lizards) for grip, resulting in his fatal duel with the fort's defender. This interpretation draws from verifiable Maratha chronicles emphasizing Tanaji's sacrifice, framing his death not as defeat but as a catalyst for Shivaji's strategy, though the film amplifies dramatic elements like individual heroism beyond sparse primary records. Saif Ali Khan's Udaybhan Rathod is rendered as a formidable antagonist rooted in martial loyalty to Mughal emperor , presenting him as a skilled defender of Kondhana Fort (later ) whose antagonism stems from duty rather than inherent malice. Khan's performance balances menace with honor, avoiding caricature by showcasing Udaybhan's valor in repelling assaults, reflective of historical commanders' fidelity amid Mughal service, as evidenced by period accounts of the fort's prolonged Mughal hold post-1647. The portrayal underscores causal realism in loyalty-driven conflict, with Udaybhan's defeat in symbolizing the limits of imperial entrenchment against guerrilla resolve, though filmic liberties exaggerate his isolation from broader Mughal reinforcements documented in Shivaji-era bakhars. Sharad Kelkar's Chhatrapati Maharaj emerges as a visionary strategist, depicted through decisions like tasking Tanaji with Sinhagad's reclamation to secure Pune's western flanks against Mughal incursions, aligning with historical priorities of fort networks for Maratha . Kelkar's restrained intensity conveys 's tactical genius, informed by guerrilla warfare innovations that thwarted larger armies, as seen in the 1670 operation's emphasis on surprise over numerical superiority. This interpretation privileges empirical leadership traits from sabhasad bakhars, portraying 's post-battle resolve—"The fort has been won, but the lion has been lost"—as a pivot toward consolidated resistance, eschewing romanticization for causal emphasis on territorial control enabling Swarajya's expansion.

Supporting Cast

Kajol portrayed Savitri Bai Malusare, Tanhaji's wife, whose character underscored the domestic fortitude essential to Maratha familial structures during conflict, serving as a pillar of emotional and moral support for her husband while managing household responsibilities and child-rearing. This depiction emphasized Savitri's role in reinforcing generational continuity, as she navigated the personal costs of her husband's military duties, including the upbringing of their son Raibamang, thereby humanizing the warrior's sacrifices. Kajol approached the part with a sense of historical responsibility, noting the absence of direct references for the figure, which required drawing on broader interpretations of spousal loyalty in 17th-century Maratha society. Sharad Kelkar's portrayal of Chhatrapati Maharaj added layers to the interpersonal dynamics of Maratha leadership, illustrating the bond of trust and shared purpose between the king and his , which underpinned strategic decisions like the Kondhana assault. This supporting role contributed to world-building by evoking the hierarchical yet camaraderie-driven ethos of 's forces, where loyalty to the sovereign intertwined with personal valor. Other ensemble members, including as and Shashank Shende in advisory capacities, further depicted the advisory and familial networks that sustained resistance efforts. Minor warrior roles, filled by actors such as Vipul Gupta and , portrayed the tactical cohesion of Tanhaji's unit during nocturnal climbs and skirmishes, emphasizing collective discipline over individual heroics to reflect historical accounts of small-scale Maratha contingents outmaneuvering larger foes. These performances collectively enhanced the film's portrayal of regional identity through period-appropriate mannerisms and interactions, fostering a sense of communal resolve without eclipsing the central narrative arc.

Music and Sound Design

Soundtrack Composition

The soundtrack album for Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior comprises four tracks composed by , , and Mehul Vyas, with the songs released progressively starting in December 2019 ahead of the film's 10 January 2020 premiere. contributed "Maay ", a high-energy devotional number invoking the Maratha patron deity , rendered by and Shreya Ghosal with lyrics by . This track integrates traditional Marathi percussion instruments like dhol-tasha, characteristic of regional folk performances such as gondhal, to build rhythmic intensity evoking 17th-century battlefield fervor. 's approach drew from their prior work on period-themed Maratha narratives, fusing authentic folk motifs with expansive orchestral layers to underscore themes of martial valor without incorporating modern pop sensibilities. The composition process emphasized live ensemble recordings to preserve cultural authenticity, aligning with the duo's established method of amplifying regional sonic traditions in historical contexts. While the full album totals under 20 minutes, "Maay " stands as the primary vehicle for 's evocative blend of devotional hymnody and percussive drive, tailored to the film's portrayal of unsung heroism.

Integration in Narrative

The background score, composed by , integrates tightly with Tanhaji's narrative structure, amplifying emotional crescendos and action sequences to propel the arc from unwavering to ultimate sacrifice. During key moments of interpersonal resolve, such as dialogues underscoring Tanhaji's devotion to Maharaj, subtle leitmotifs in the orchestration evoke a sense of unbreakable camaraderie, drawing on string and brass swells to mirror the characters' shared strategic determination and personal stakes. In the film's climactic battle for Kondhana fort on February 4, 1670, percussion-driven cues synchronize with the of and tactical maneuvers, building rhythmic tension that aligns with the physical and mental strains of , thereby enhancing the portrayal of amid risks. This approach eschews disruptive item numbers or prolonged musical interludes, maintaining narrative momentum and immersion by subordinating songs to serve plot progression rather than diverting for spectacle. The resultant cohesion intensifies the depiction of , where auditory cues underscore morale shifts and feints without breaking the causal sequence of events.

Release and Commercial Success

Marketing Strategies

The marketing efforts for Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior capitalized on the film's January 10, 2020, release date, strategically positioned during the Sankranti festival season to align with regional holiday viewership peaks and amplify themes of Maratha valor resonant with cultural festivities. Trailers formed the core of pre-release buzz, with the initial one launched on November 19, 2019, prominently featuring the "The Unsung Warrior" alongside high-octane sequences of fort assaults and personal heroism, including visual nods to Tanaji Malusare's legendary rope climb using a ghorpad ( claw) as a hook. A follow-up trailer on December 16, 2019, intensified focus on the climactic battle for Kondhana Fort, supported by a grand launch event to generate media coverage. Collaborations extended to state tourism, partnering with the Directorate of Tourism to spotlight under-visited historical sites like Fort through co-branded TV commercials and promotional drives that tied the film's narrative to real Maratha heritage, aiming to draw audiences via authentic historical connections rather than partisan appeals. Digital and traditional media allocations emphasized visual , with an estimated 20 rupees dedicated to prints and , including character posters of and in battle gear, motion posters, and TV spots recurrently depicting feat to underscore the protagonist's ingenuity and . Brand tie-ins, such as Air Asia flights adorned with film posters, further broadened reach across 10-15 partners.

Box Office Analysis

Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior achieved a worldwide gross of approximately ₹368 , demonstrating robust commercial viability for a big-budget historical released on January 10, 2020, mere months before 's curtailed theatrical releases. Domestic net collections reached ₹279.60 , supplemented by ₹36 from overseas markets, with gross figures at ₹325 contributing the bulk of earnings. The film opened to ₹15.10 nett in on its debut day, reflecting initial audience interest in its period drama elements amid competition from simultaneous releases. Subsequent performance benefited from positive word-of-mouth, particularly praising the high-octane action choreography and patriotic narrative centered on Maratha valor, which drove consistent daily collections through its extended run into February. This momentum positioned it as the highest-grossing film prior to pandemic-induced theater closures, outpacing contemporaries in pre-lockdown metrics. Produced on a estimated at ₹100-120 , Tanhaji delivered profitability with reported returns exceeding 100%, underscoring efficient cost recovery through volume-driven theatrical revenue rather than ancillary streams at the time. Regional dynamics amplified success, with exceptional traction in —nearing records set by local hits like Sairat—evidenced by mass audience turnout that validated broad-based appeal over niche urban critiques, as reflected in sustained footfalls and occupancy data.

Global Reach and Earnings

Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior garnered notable international theatrical earnings, collecting approximately $4.68 million from overseas markets, positioning it as the top-grossing film abroad in ahead of competitors like Baaghi 3 ($3.5 million) and Street Dancer 3D ($2.21 million). This figure reflected robust demand from communities, particularly in the , , , and , where screenings drew crowds interested in Maratha historical narratives. Early territorial data indicated $87,815 from the on opening and contributions from North American circuits, underscoring targeted appeal in English-speaking diaspora hubs despite limited mainstream crossover. Post-theatrical, the film's digital release on on March 6, , extended its global accessibility, especially amid theater closures, enabling sustained viewership among expatriate audiences via the platform's international footprint. This OTT longevity highlighted enduring interest in Maratha epics beyond initial runs, with Hotstar's diaspora-friendly distribution fostering repeat engagement in regions like the and where physical screenings waned. While exact streaming metrics remain proprietary, the transition aligned with heightened home consumption patterns in , amplifying the film's reach to non-theatrical global viewers drawn to its portrayal of 17th-century valor. In comparative terms for historical genre films, Tanhaji's $4.68 million overseas haul outperformed 2020 peers but trailed pre-pandemic benchmarks like Padmaavat's $25 million-plus (₹185 crore) from 2018, reflecting pandemic-impacted exhibition windows and a narrower international marketing push focused on diaspora circuits rather than broad Western appeal. Adjusted for 2020's disrupted landscape, its leadership among Hindi releases demonstrated resilience and niche potency for culturally resonant warrior tales, contributing to a worldwide total exceeding ₹360 crore.

Reception and Analysis

Critical Evaluations

Critics widely commended the film's technical achievements, particularly its and action choreography, which elevated the depiction of 17th-century battles. The review described Tanhaji as "magnificent, high on and [with] powerful action backed by rock solid performances," emphasizing the seamless integration of CGI in recreating the Kondhana Fort assault. Similarly, News18 highlighted the VFX as a "feast" that vividly portrayed Maratha valor, marking a step forward in Bollywood's handling of large-scale historical spectacles. These elements contributed to the film's thematic boldness in foregrounding Tanaji Malusare's role in Maratha resistance, often praised for illuminating lesser-known facets of Indian otherwise sidelined in mainstream narratives. While some critiques pointed to pacing inconsistencies and occasional melodrama in emotional sequences, these were frequently outweighed by strengths in execution. rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, noting it as a "brutal, funny, and fitfully entertaining romp" suitable for one-time viewing despite not fully realizing its potential. Aggregate critic scores reflected this balance, with compiling a 75% approval rating from 12 reviews, underscoring positive reception centered on production quality rather than ideological framing. Accusations of from left-leaning outlets, such as The Wire's claim that content "weighs down" the mediocre plot, appear unsubstantiated when evaluated against the film's focus on verifiable Maratha-Mughal hostilities—empirical clashes over documented in period records like Sabhasad Bakhar. Such labels often dismiss the narrative's grounding in causal historical rivalries, prioritizing presumed bias over the film's merits in action and revival of regional heroism, as countered in analyses like Firstpost's observation that it delivers "solid action drama" beyond expected partisanship. Overall, evaluations prioritized craftsmanship, yielding 70-80% positivity across outlets, with secondary to thematic execution.

Audience Response and Popularity

Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior garnered significant audience approval, evidenced by its status as the top most rated film of 2020 according to a BookMyShow survey report. User ratings on platforms like BookMyShow and reflected enthusiasm for the film's portrayal of uncompromised heroism, with many citing the narrative's inspirational elements as a draw over more conventional historical depictions. Social media platforms, particularly , buzzed with praise for the film's emphasis on Maratha pride and Tanaji's valor, contributing to sustained viewer engagement post-release. Pre-release audience impressions reached 91% positive on tracking sites, aligning with the film's appeal to demographics seeking authentic cultural narratives. This resonance was particularly notable in non-metro regions, where the movie's heroic tone and visual spectacle drove higher occupancy compared to urban-centric releases, fostering word-of-mouth among viewers valuing revival of unsanitized historical figures. The film's popularity extended to digital metrics, ranking as the third most searched movie on for , indicative of broad curiosity in Tanaji's legacy and Shivaji-era lore among general audiences. Surveys and user feedback polls highlighted approval for the unapologetic celebration of , contrasting with critiques of overly moderated historical portrayals in prior media. This engagement spurred discussions on platforms, with viewers reporting motivational repeat engagements tied to the film's thematic focus on resilience and nationalistic fervor.

Awards and Recognitions

Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior received the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment at the , recognizing its appeal and entertainment value in depicting historical events. was awarded the (shared) for his portrayal of the titular character, highlighting the performance's impact in a competitive category. The film also secured the award for , credited to Nachiket Barve, for its period-accurate attire contributing to visual authenticity. At the held in 2021, director won Best Director for his handling of the epic narrative and battle sequences. received Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his depiction of the antagonist Udaybhan Rathod, noted for its intensity. The production earned a Technical Award for Best Action, acknowledging the choreography by Ramazan Bulut, R.P. Yadav, and . The film garnered additional regional recognition in , including honors from state-level ceremonies for promoting Maratha heritage through its portrayal of historical valor. Across various platforms, Tanhaji accumulated over 20 accolades, spanning categories like and playback singing, underscoring its technical and artistic achievements. These awards affirm the film's contribution to raising benchmarks in Indian historical cinema by blending spectacle with substantive storytelling.

Historical Accuracy

Faithful Representations

The film's depiction of Tanaji Malusare's forces executing a stealthy nocturnal ascent of Fort's sheer cliffs using ropes corresponds to narratives in Maratha bakhars, which recount the 1670 surprise attack conducted under darkness to evade Mughal sentinels. These primary chronicles emphasize the tactical exploitation of the fort's , a precipitous hilltop stronghold ceded to the Mughals in 1665 under the Treaty of Purandar, underscoring its enduring strategic value in controlling Deccan passes and protecting Maratha heartlands near . Shivaji's grief-stricken reaction to Tanaji's death upon victory—"Gad aala pan sinh gela" (The fort is gained, but the is lost)—is faithfully rendered, mirroring documented responses in bakhars that highlight the personal bond and Tanaji's irreplaceable role as a . The emphasis on guerrilla maneuvers, including rapid infiltration and close-quarters combat, aligns with Shivaji's established doctrine of ganimi kava, which prioritized mobility, ambushes, and asymmetric engagements to overcome numerically superior foes, as evidenced by Maratha victories in campaigns against Mughal garrisons during the 1660s and 1670s. Period-specific cultural elements, such as warriors' attire featuring layered armor with metal reinforcements and traditional turbans, draw from archaeological remnants and textual descriptions of 17th-century Maratha garb, including flexible bronze-plated protections suited to rugged terrain warfare. Pre-battle rituals invoking for valor also reflect documented Maratha customs preserved in chronicles, reinforcing the ethos of duty-bound sacrifice.

Departures and Artistic Choices

The film introduces dramatized elements to Udaybhan Rathod's portrayal, expanding his beyond sparse historical accounts into a multifaceted with fictionalized traits of unhinged wickedness and personal vendettas, such as intrusive scenes emphasizing his depravity, to heighten dramatic tension and contrast Tanaji's valor. These additions include invented dialogues and motivations that underscore his loyalty to while amplifying his ruthlessness, serving to streamline narrative clarity and emotional stakes for cinematic pacing. Battle sequences feature visual liberties through extensive VFX enhancements, scaling up the depiction of Kondhana's fortifications, troop engagements, and environmental hazards like cliffs and gorges to convey epic scope and immersion, with sets augmented by digital layering for heightened realism in dynamics. Such amplifications prioritize visual spectacle to engage audiences with the ferocity of 17th-century warfare, while core tactical elements like the crocodile-inspired rope ascent remain intact to retain motivational fidelity to Tanaji's ingenuity. These choices prioritize narrative flow and viewer retention in a biographical period drama, introducing motivational dialogues and relational subplots—such as elaborated familial resolve—to humanize protagonists without deviating from the causal sequence of the fortress recapture, thereby balancing historical essence with entertainment imperatives.

Debunking Bias Claims

Accusations of anti-Muslim bias in Tanhaji primarily emanate from select media outlets framing the depiction of 17th-century Maratha-Mughal conflict as communal propaganda, yet such critiques conflate historical imperial rivalry with modern religious caricature. The film's antagonist, Udaybhan Rathod—a historical Rajput commander serving the Mughal Empire—is portrayed as a skilled, resolute defender who engages Tanaji in a prolonged, honorable duel atop the fort walls, underscoring tactical prowess over fanaticism. This representation aligns with primary accounts of the 1670 Battle of Sinhagad, where Udaybhan's command under Mughal general Jai Singh involved fortifying against Shivaji's guerrilla forces, not religious persecution per se. Critics invoking political correctness often disregard the causal sequence of Mughal expansionism into the Deccan, documented in imperial records as aggressive campaigns to subdue independent Hindu kingdoms, including temple desecrations and revenue extraction under Aurangzeb's policies post-1658. Maratha resistance, led by figures like Tanaji, constituted defensive warfare against this hegemony, with empirical evidence from Sabhasad Bakhar chronicles detailing fort recapture as strategic self-preservation rather than unprovoked aggression. The film's inclusion of Muslim soldiers in Tanaji's ranks further counters blanket bias claims, reflecting historical alliances in Shivaji's diverse levy against imperial overreach. These bias allegations, frequently from sources exhibiting systemic aversion to Hindu-centric narratives, invert causality by minimizing Mughal incursions while amplifying perceived Maratha aggression, absent verifiable film evidence of calls to violence or dehumanization. Director Om Raut and lead Ajay Devgn explicitly rejected anti-Muslim intent, emphasizing valor over religion, corroborated by the absence of post-release communal incidents tied to screenings. In contrast to ahistorical inversions that downplay resistance to invasions, Tanhaji adheres to the factual primacy of individual heroism amid empire-versus-sovereignty dynamics, without endorsing contemporary discord.

Cultural and Political Impact

Promotion of Maratha and National Pride

The release of Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior in January 2020 significantly elevated public awareness of Tanaji Malusare's role in the 1670 , portraying the Maratha commander's daring recapture of the fort from Mughal forces as a symbol of strategic ingenuity and unyielding resolve against imperial expansion. This depiction resonated with audiences by highlighting lesser-known facets of Maratha , such as the use of a crocodile's as a climbing tool, thereby countering historical narratives that often minimized indigenous resistance during the Mughal era in favor of centralized empire-building accounts. Director emphasized that the film aligned with a contemporary atmosphere of national pride and , framing Tanaji's exploits as emblematic of self-reliant defense rather than subjugation. Empirical indicators of this revival include a marked surge in to Fort, the battle's site, which transformed from a seasonally quiet destination into a hotspot immediately following the film's theatrical run. Local reports noted an influx of visitors in January 2020—typically a low season due to winter—attributed directly to the movie's vivid reconstruction of the fort's , drawing families and history enthusiasts to experience the terrain firsthand. This uptick fostered regional identity by connecting modern Marathas to ancestral feats of territorial reclamation, reinforcing narratives of resilience amid 17th-century expansionist pressures without reliance on external validation. The film's unapologetic celebration of Maratha agency extended to educational spheres, inspiring school-level engagements such as skits and assemblies reenacting Tanaji's valor, which introduced younger generations to primary accounts of Shivaji-era campaigns. These activities, observed in post-release performances, underscored a causal link between cinematic portrayal and historical appreciation, prioritizing empirical feats like nocturnal assaults over romanticized in colonial-influenced textbooks. By foregrounding Tanaji's sacrifice—famously encapsulated in Shivaji's , "The fort has been captured, but the has slipped away"—the bolstered in autonomous Hindu polities' capacity to challenge larger empires through and grit.

Controversies and Media Narratives

Prior to the film's release on , , descendants of protested against its depiction, demanding removal of "objectionable" scenes shown in the trailer, which they argued misrepresented the warrior's legacy. Additionally, the Akhil Bhartiya Kshtriya Koli Sangh filed a petition in the on December 14, 2019, alleging the film deliberately concealed Tanaji's Koli lineage by portraying him as Maratha, purportedly for political motives. The also raised objections in November 2019 to a trailer scene depicting an individual throwing a stick at Maharaj, viewing it as disrespectful to Maratha heritage. These challenges centered on fidelity to lineage and respect for historical figures rather than the title itself, though producer had adjusted the film's name from Taanaji to Tanhaji earlier in March 2019 for phonetic accuracy without noted protest at that stage. Post-release, certain media outlets framed the film as promoting Islamophobia or Hindu-Muslim antagonism, overlooking the historical context of Maratha resistance to Mughal expansionism, which involved warriors adhering to codes of loyalty transcending —evidenced by Tanaji's own army including Muslim soldiers and the Udaybhan Rathod being a Hindu in Mughal service. For instance, labeled it Bollywood's "latest Islamophobic period film" on January 10, 2020, while critiqued it as weighed down by on the same day, portraying the as divisive despite its basis in the 1670 , a documented clash driven by territorial control rather than fabricated religious hatred. Such interpretations, often from outlets exhibiting systemic left-leaning biases skeptical of narratives affirming indigenous martial traditions, dismissed amplifications of real imperial conflicts as mere "nationalist" revisionism, ignoring primary causal factors like Mughal fortification of strategic passes. These critiques lacked substantiation of historical invention, as the film's core events align with established accounts of Tanaji's guerrilla tactics and , though dramatized for cinema. Public reception, however, demonstrated broad endorsement, with the film grossing ₹279.50 worldwide and earning a blockbuster verdict, far outpacing detractors' influence amid strong word-of-mouth and audience scores contrasting mixed-to-negative elite reviews. This disparity underscores how media narratives detached from empirical audience data and causal historical realism failed to sway general acceptance.

Legacy in Indian Cinema and Recent Developments

Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior established a commercial benchmark for historical epics in Indian cinema, grossing approximately ₹367 worldwide and becoming the highest-earning Indian of despite pandemic disruptions. Its success demonstrated viability for large-scale productions centered on pre-colonial Maratha valor, encouraging a resurgence in the genre with unvarnished depictions of historical conflicts that prioritized narrative drive over contemporary sensitivities. The film's influence extended to subsequent works like Chhaava (2025), which similarly dramatizes Maratha resistance against Mughal forces through the story of Maharaj, reflecting a pattern of heightened audience interest in authentic portrayals of regional heroes. This empirical box-office validation has empirically boosted investments in truth-oriented historical narratives, shifting away from diluted interpretations toward causal accounts of and cultural defiance. In November 2024, lead actor confirmed development of a Tanhaji sequel, to be directed by as part of an expanded "Unsung Warriors" series focusing on overlooked Maratha figures. Reports indicate is in discussions to portray the antagonist, positioning the project as a franchise vehicle for episodic explorations of historical underdogs. These announcements, as of late 2024, signal sustained momentum for the subgenre, with producers leveraging proven financial returns to sustain output into 2025 and beyond.

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  141. https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/here-s-why-ajay-devgn-s-taahaji-the-unsung-warrior-will-now-be-called-tanhaji/story-nRUVuQZvHfRGWxcQIEDs8M.html
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  150. https://www.ottplay.com/news/ajay-devgn-confirms-dhamaal-4-tanhaji-sequel-know-the-singham-again-actors-movie-line-up/29f059e54f911
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  152. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/hrithik-roshan-to-play-antagonist-opposite-ajay-devgn-in-om-rauts-next-on-unsung-warriors/articleshow/115836115.cms
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