Zee Studios and Saahil Motion Arts’ Dharmaveer 2 (Marathi; UA) is a sequel to Dharmaveer (Marathi) (2022). It continues the saga of social worker Anand Dighe and how politician Eknath Shinde (who is an MLA) follows his principles and helps the poor.
Pravin Vitthal Tarde has written a story which seems to be too propagandist in nature. In the guise of showing how Anand Dighe has been a messiah for the poor, the story actually shows Eknath Shinde in good light. Pravin Vitthal Tarde’s screenplay is lengthy and gets boring at places as it moves on a single track. Also, since the content is just an extension of the first part (Dharmaveer), the drama fails to excite the viewers. Pravin Vitthal Tarde’s dialogues are good.
Prasad Oak does well as Anand Dighe. Kshitish Date performs ably as MLA Eknath Shinde. Vijay Nikam is okay as Moda. Jayant Wadkar is so-so as the police hawaldar. Sameer Dharmadhikari is nice as Mahesh Shinde. Anand Ingle (as Shahji Bapu), Hrishikesh Joshi (as Daynadha Choughule), Sunil Tawde (as Bharat Gogawale), Suresh Vishwakarma (as Sanjay Shirsat), Vijay Kadam (as Anil Babar), Rajesh Bhosle (as Balaji Kinikar), Abhijit Khandekar (as Dada Bhuse), Kamlakar Satpute (as Abdul Sattar), Ajay Jadhav (as Tanaji Sawant), Suhas Lakhan (as Ravindra Phatak), Sunil Barve (as Devendra Fadnavis), Sachin Narkar (as Pratap Sarnaik), Mangesh Salvi (as Mahendra Thorve), Abhijit Thite (as Shumbhraj Desai), Akshay Joshi (as Sachin Joshi), Mangesh Desai (as a journalist), Ajay Jadhav (as Sanjay Gaikwad), Uday Sabnis, Snehal Tarde, Pravin Tarde and the others lend decent support.
Pravin Vitthal Tarde’s direction is just about average. He has not been able to make the drama so arresting that the viewers would love it. Music (by Avinash-Vishwajeet and Chinar-Mahesh) is fair but the absence of hit songs is sorely felt. Lyrics (Mangesh Kangane, Vishwajeet Joshi, Dr. Prasad Biware and Snehal Tarde) are alright. Umesh Jadhav’s choreography is ordinary. Background music is average. Mahesh Limaye’s camerawork is quite good. Pradyumna Kumar Swain’s action and stunt scenes do not afford much thrill. Nitesh Nandgaonkar’s art direction is nothing to shout about. Mayur Hardas’ editing leaves something to be desired.
On the whole, Dharmaveer 2 will definitely not repeat the success of the first part. In fact, it will not even do average business.
Released on 27-9-’24 at Plaza (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay by Zee Studios. Publicity: fair. Opening: okay at places, dull at others.