Tanhaji


Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior is a 2020 Indian Hindi-language biographical period action film directed by Om Raut and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar and Ajay Devgan under T-Series Films and Ajay Devgn FFilms. This film was also released in Marathi-language following popular demand. Tracing the life of Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare, it stars Ajay Devgn in the titular role along with Saif Ali Khan and Kajol in the lead roles. It also features Sharad Kelkar and Luke Kenny in the pivotal roles. Set in the 17th century, it revolves around Tanaji's attempts to recapture the Kondhana fortress once it passes on to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who transfers its control to his trusted guard Udaybhan Singh Rathore.
Principal photography commenced on 25 September 2018, and the film was released in India in 3D and conventional theatres on 10 January 2020. The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised the action sequences, cinematography, performances, and visual effects. Tanhaji grossed worldwide and is currently the 9th highest grossing film of 2020.

Plot

In 1647, Tanhaji's father, Kaloji Malusare trains him in sword-fighting, later succumbing to a Mughal plunder in Umrat. 17 years later in 1664, a now-adult Tanhaji with his younger brother Suryaji, commands Shivaji's Maratha Army to attack an intruding Mughal cavalry.
In 1665, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb dispatches Jai Singh to contain Shivaji fearing his rapid imperial expansion in Deccan, thus annexing his 33 forts. Later, the Mughal general Beshak Khan orders a quick vacation of the strategic fortress Kondhana, insulting Jijabai, who swears to remain barefoot until the Marathas recapture the fort. Tanhaji is informed about the treaty as well. Five years later, Shivaji's spy informs him about Aurangzeb's plan to assign the Kondhana fort to his Rajput general Udaybhan Rathod and to use it as a base for Aurangzeb's southern imperial expansion. Shivaji plans to recapture Kondhana, considering himself to lead the campaign as Tanhaji, though an able general, can't be employed due to his son Rayba's upcoming wedding. Meanwhile, Tanhaji celebrates Holi with his family. Marathas begin their war preparations and Shivaji warns his generals to keep Tanhaji from knowing about the campaign. Tanhaji arrives at Rajgad for inviting Shivaji to Rayba's wedding. Chandraji Pisal, a Maratha general, reveals Tanhaji about the secret plan at his nephew Chultya's recommendation. Tanhaji convinces Shivaji and Jijabai to permit him to lead the campaign and postpones Rayba's wedding.
Elsewhere, Udaybhan reaches Burhanpur while the Marathas discuss his route possibilities. Tanhaji coins an attack plan but Pisal sends Chultya to warn Udaybhan about this. Udaybhan is also bringing an imprisoned Kamla Devi en route, the sister of his Rajput general Jagat Singh. Chultya informs Udaybhan about Tanhaji's attack plan and he tricks Tanhaji into attacking Maratha soldiers disguised under Mughal attire. Elsewhere, Udaybhan reaches Kondhana and aims a huge cannon at Rajgad, threatening Shivaji's safety. Dejected, Tanhaji reaches Kondhana alone to learn about a secret thief-entrance inside. Udaybhan kills a guard for disobeying the security protocol. Tanhaji recovers his dead remains and motivates the villagers to betray/fight Udaybhan. He is recommended to participate in a Shivratri event on Kondhana where he kills Chultya for betrayal. Tanhaji is imprisoned and tortured by Udaybhan. Jagat Singh secretly releases Tanhaji, revealing Udaybhan's plan to marry his sister. Tanhaji promises to release them from Udaybhan's clutches. Tanhaji escapes from the thief-entrance and returns to Umrat.
Udaybhan hangs the guards responsible for Tanhaji's escape and Jagat Singh agrees to marry his sister to Udaybhan on Ashtami's eve, thus convincing her to fake the marriage preparation until Tanhaji arrives. Tanhaji now plans to directly attack Kondhana during Ashtami night on February 4, 1670. He scales the fort through various entrances and attacks the Mughal army. The confusion allows Jagat and Kamla Devi to escape. Udaybhan is alerted and Tanhaji dies in the ensuing battle, although he captures Kondhana before killing Udaybhan. Shivaji arrives at Kondhana to praise a visibly dying Tanhaji for his heroic act. HE then makes the famous statement in Marathi, "Gad Aala Pan Sinha Gela" He himself conducts Rayba's marriage while Aurangzeb's dream of winning southern India remains unfilled. The film ends with Savitribai fulfilling her promise of grandly welcoming Tanhaji from his return.

Cast

began on 20 July 2017. Principal photography commenced from 25 September 2018.

Marketing and release

Earlier marketed as Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior, it was revealed on Twitter by Ajay Devgn that the film will be known as Tanhaji. In December 2017, the release date of Tanhaji was revealed as 22 November 2019 but was postponed to December 2019 due to shooting problems. On 1 January 2019, director Om Raut released the first-look image. The official posters of the film were released throughout November 2019.
On 19 November, official trailer of the film was launched by T-Series. On 16 December, T-Series launched the second official trailer of the film. Amar Chitra Katha released the film edition comic book in 2019.
The film was theatrically released in 3D and conventional cinemas on 10 January 2020.
The Akhil Bhartiya Kshatriya Koli Rajput Sangh has filed a petition in Delhi High Court, claiming that Om Raut, the director of Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior has concealed the true lineage of the great warrior Tanaji Malusare in the movie.

Critical reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Tanhaji has an approval rating of 70% with an average score of 6.33/10, based on ten reviews.
Anupama Chopra of Film Companion noted it to be an un-nuanced retelling of history right out of Amar Chitra Katha comics, that blended historical spectacles, nationalism, and hyper-masculinity. The storytelling, soundtracks, costumes, and individual performances were specifically praised. Rahul Desai noted it to be a slick work which was but marred by an extensive saffronisation which sought to exploit the political climate in India.
A review over The Hindustan Times noted it to be a magnificent work, which had exceptional individual performances, a captivating story-line and excellent video-effects. 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. 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.
Poulomi Das over Arre noted Tanhaji to be a funnily hyper nationalistic action thriller, that purveyed a uni-dimensional revisionist history and sophisticated Islamophobia. 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. 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 saffronisation of India.
Shubhra Gupta over 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. 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. 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. 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.

Soundtrack

The film's music was composed by Ajay-Atul, Sachet-Parampara and Mehul Vyas with lyrics written by Swanand Kirkire and Anil Verma. The Song Ra Ra Ra was performed by Sachet-Parampara and it was mixed by Aftab Khan at headroom studio. Vatsal Chevli Assisted for the Song.

Box office

Tanhaji earned 15.10 crore at the domestic box office on its opening day. On the second day, the film collected ₹20.57 crore. On the third day, the film collected ₹26.26 crore, taking total opening weekend collection to ₹61.93 crore.
, with a gross of 332.80 crore in India and 34.85 crore overseas, the film has a worldwide gross collection of 367.65 crore and became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2020.