Samarth Creations, Dynamic Productions and Adityam Creations’ Raghuveer (Marathi) is a biopic of Samarth Ramdas Swami. The film is set in the seventeenth century.
Narayan (Ninad Kulkarni) is to be married at the age of 12 but but he runs away from the wedding celebrations before the ceremony starts as it is his mission to raise his voice against and educate the people about the atrocities perpetrated by Muslims on Hindus. Marriage, he feels, would come in the way of the fulfilment of his dream.
How Narayan’s popularity keeps growing and how, after he grows up (Vikram Gaikwad), people start referring to him as Samarth Ramdas Swami forms the crux of the drama. Samarth Swami finally breathes his last two years after warrior Shivaji Maharaj died. Shivaji was Samarth Swami’s biggest disciple.
Abhiram Bhadkamkar has written a story which will appeal mainly to the older generation which worshipped Samarth Swami but the young generation may not receive the story with the same reverence. Nilesh Arun Kunjir and Abhiram Bhadkamkar’s screenplay is fair but the drama does get boring at places. The youngsters, especially, would feel more bored, partly because the film lacks face value. Abhiram Bhadkamkar’s dialogues are average.
Vikram Gaikwad does well as Samarth Ramdas Swami but, unfortunately, he will not be able to carry the burden of the film on his shoulders. Ninad Kulkarni is okay as young Narayan. Rujuta Deshmukh lends average support as Narayan’s mother, Ranubai. Vignesh Joshi makes his presence felt in the role of Lord Ram. Naveen Prabhakar is routine in the role of Saavji. Rahul Mehendale is ordinary as Gangadhar Swami. Bhushan Telang (as Hora Bhushan), Varsha Dandale (as Satyabhama), Mousumi Tonwalkar (as Satibai), Anushree Phadnis (as Vennaswami), Dev Nikharge (as Adil Shah), Ganesh Mane (as Madhukar) and Shailesh Datar (as Gopaji Pant) provide routine support. Others pass muster.
Nilesh Arun Kunjir’s direction is fair but there’s nothing about the narration or the film, which stands out. Ajit Parab’s music is so-so. Mandar Cholkar’s lyrics are average. Background music hardly deserves special mention. Camerawork (by Dhanraj Sukhdev Wagh and Prathamesh Nitin Rangole) is alright. Suryabhan Katambe’s art direction is okay. Editing (by Jageshwar Dhoble and Prashant Chandrakant Kamble) ought to have been sharper.
On the whole, Raghuveer is too ordinary to score at the box-office except in some pockets.
Released on 23-8-’24 at Glamour (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay by Cinepolis India thru August Entertainment. Publicity: dull. Opening: so-so.