Mumbai Movie Studios, Raajwarasa Productions and Mulakshar Productions Pvt. Ltd.’s Sher Shivraj (Marathi; UA) is a historical. It deals with that chapter of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s life, in which he defeated Afzal Khan by sheer dint of courage and a sharp mind.
Digpal Lanjekar has borrowed from the pages of history while writing the story. His screenplay moves at a fast pace and keeps the audience engrossed. The portions of Shivaji and his men planning on how to exterminate Afzal Khan are very interesting. Digpal Lanjekar’s dialogues are appealing.
Chinmay Mandlekar does a fine job as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Mrunal Kulkarni is good as Rajmata Jijau. Mukesh Rishi acts ably in the role of Afzal Khan. Digpal Lanjekar is excellent as Bahirji Naik. Vaibhav Mangle lends fine support as Gopinath Bokil. Dnyanesh Wadekar makes his presence felt as Krushnaji Bhaskar. Varsha Usgaonkar is alright in a brief role as Badi Begum. Ajay Purkar is okay as Subhedar Tanaji Malusare. Sameer Dharmadhikari is adequate as Shrimant Kanhojirao Jedhe. Dipti Ketkar leaves a mark as Dipaiaau Bandal. Mrunmayee Deshpande is alright as Kesar. Madhavi Nimkar (as Rani Soyarabai) and Isha Keskar (as Rani Saibai) are so-so. Vikram Gaikwad (as Netaji Palkar), Harish Kondal (as Sardar Sambhaji Kavji Kondhalkar), Sushrut Mankani (as Yesaji Kank), Mandar Paralikar (as Sardar Krushnaji Bankkar), Ravindra Mankani (as Shrimant Shahaji Maharaj), Rishi Saxena (as Fazal Khan), Deepak Mandlik (as Siddi Ibrahim), Sachin Deshpande (as Moropant), Sachin Bhilare (as Aginya), Bipin Surve (as Sarjerao Jedhe), Aastad Kale (as Vishwas Dighe), Nikhil Lanjekar (as Narveer Jeeva Mahale) and Akshay Waghmare (as Pisaji Gole) provide average support.
Digpal Lanjekar’s direction is nice. Devdatta Manisha Baji’s music is quite good but there’s not a single hit song. His background score is impactful. Lyrics (Sant Tukram Maharaj for abhangs; Digpal Lanjekar for original songs) are of a fine standard. Kiran Borkar’s choreography is average. Reshmi Sarkar’s cinematography is quite eye-filling. Action and stunt scenes (by Babbu Khanna) are alright. There is actually less violence in the film. Pratik Redij’s art direction is of a good standard. Vinod Raje’s editing is sharp.
On the whole, Sher Shivraj is a good entertainer and will keep the people associated with it, very happy.
Released on 22-4-’22 at Plaza (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru UFO Cine Media Network. Publicity: good. Opening: excellent.