Urvita Productions LLP’s Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (dubbed from the Marathi film of the same name; UA) is the story of the bravery of Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Shivaji Maharaj. It deals mainly with his attack on Mughal-occupied Burhanpur to free Hindus held captive there and to loot the Muslims there.
Sandeep Raghunathrao Mohite Patil and Dr. Sudhir Nikam have written a story based on the pages of history. Their screenplay is quite interesting and keeps the viewers engrossed because it is basically a hero’s tale. Dialogues are very nice and a couple of them are even clapworthy.
Thakur Anoop Singh looks handsome and plays the title role very effectively but, of course, he lacks star value. Amruta Khanvilkar enacts Maharani Yesubai well. Kishori Shahane Vij is good as Rajmata Jijabai Bhosle. Sanjay Khapre is nice as Sarsenapati Hambirrao Mohite. Raj Zutshi leaves a mark as Alamgir Aurangzeb. Pradeep Rawat is impressive as Mukkarab Khan. Kamlesh Sawant is alright as Siddi Khairiyat. Bhargavi Chirmule (as Dharau Mata), Pallavi Vaidya (as Saibai), Pradeep Kabra (as Siddi Qasam), Ujjwal Chopra (as Kavi Kalash), Vineet Sharma (as Kondaji Farzand), Anil Gawas (as Bahirji Naik) and the others lend fine support.
Tushar Vijayrao Shelar’s direction is fair. Mohit Kulkarni’s music is ordinary. Lyrics are alright. Kruti Mahesh and Omkar Mane’s choreography is so-so. Background music (by Mohit Kulkarni, Utsav Shrey and Amarjeet Prabhu Desai) should’ve been more impactful. Mahesh Ganesh Aney’s cinematography is nice. Anand Shetty and Dipak Mali’s action and stunt scenes are fairly thrilling but ought to have been more realistic. Gorakshanath Khande’s editing is reasonably sharp but should’ve been better. Dubbing is proper.
On the whole, Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is a fair fare but it will find the going tough because of lack of face value.
Released on 29-11-’24 at Movie Time Goregaon (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PVR Inox Pictures. Publicity: not up to the mark. Opening: so-so. …….Also released all over. Opening was below the mark almost everywhere.