(Starring : Ajay Devgun, Saif Ali Khan, Kajol, Luke Kenny, Sharad Kelkar)
Bollywood and its love affair with historical heroes has given us many films in the recent past. While films like Padmaavat and Jodha Akbar made us feel awed of our grand and magnificent history, cinematic experiences like the recent Panipat has been mixed. Tanhaji : The Unsung Hero is a rare breed of historical that has taken much cinematic liberty and still stands out.
Based on the life of Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare (stylised as Tanhaji in the film), who was the Subedar in the army of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Om Raut directorial film is an exaggerated and swift-paced ode to the great warrior. Saif Ali Khan plays the role of Rajput Mughal fortkeeper Udaybhan Singh Rathod in the Om Raut directorial film. It focuses on the famous battle of Sinhagad (4th February, 1670), which saw Tanhaji take on Udaybhan, and the intricacies involved in the battle.
Saif Ali Khan,as Udaybhan overpowers; he brings out the brutality and devilish streak of his character with finesse and ferocity. In some moments of his evil madness, he actually adds a tinge of humour to the scene, while breaking into a sinister laugh himself. This is one of Saif’s most outstanding performances in recent times. This is his film, no less.
There is generous use of CGI, which is merged seamlessly in the narrative. It helps mount the film on a scale that it needed to create a solid impact. The action is designed (by action director Ramazan Bulut) and shot skillfully and aesthetically and is a visual treat. As the film made in 3D format, some scenes really do stand out. Don’t miss the opening sequence of the movie; it’s a visual treat.
‘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 vigour. I’m going with three out of five for Tanhaji. Go for it, at least for the antagonist.