Zee Studios and Saahil Motion Arts’ Dharmaveer (Marathi; UA) is a biopic on Shiv Sena functionary Anand Dighe who rose to great heights from being a mere party worker. He is credited with a lot of good work in Thane but he is also known to have murdered a corporator.
Pravin Vitthal Tarde has written an interesting story which is based on real-life characters and incidents. His screenplay keeps the audience interested and engaged all through the drama. The screenplay has less of light moments and heart-rending emotions. But the few sentimental scenes which are there do touch the heart. Tarde’s dialogues are appealing.
Prasad Oak does an excellent job as Dharmaveer Anand Dighe. He has worked hard on his looks to match those of late Anand Dighe. Kshitish Date is good as Eknath Shinde. Makrand Padhye plays Bal Thackeray very well. Shruti Marathe does a fair job as the television news reporter. Gashmeer Mahajani is okay in a brief role as Sameer autorickshaw driver. Snehal Tarde performs ably as Birjebai. Vijay Nikam (as Mo. Da. Joshi), Vighnesh Joshi (as Prakash Paranjape), Abhijeet Khandkekar (as Dada Bhuse), Shubhangi Latkar (as Maasaheb), Devendra Gaikwad (as Atmaram Thorat) and Ramesh Pardeshi (as Hemant Pawar) provide decent support.
Pravin Vitthal Tarde’s direction is very good. His narrative style will appeal to people of all age groups. Music (Avinash-Vishwajeet, Chinar-Mahesh and Nandesh Umap) is of the popular variety. Lyrics (Mangesh Kangane, Sangeeta Barve and Dr. Prasad Bhiware) are appropriate. Umesh Jadhav’s dances are eye-filling. Avinash-Vishwajeet’s background music is of a fine standard. Kedar Gaikwad does a good job of the cinematography. Nitesh Nandgaonkar’s sets are nice. Mayur Hardas’ editing is very crisp.
On the whole, Dharmaveer is a hit fare. It will especially do bumper business in Thane district.
Released on 13-5-’22 at Plaza (daily 3 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay by Zee Studios. Publicity: good. Opening: excellent.