Panorama Studios and Mugafi’s Ranapati Shivray – Swari Agra (Marathi; UA) is a historical based on the daring Agra chapter of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s life. It captures his brilliance at strategising and the intense challenges he faced during the time he was captivated by Aurangzeb. The story is about how Shivaji Maharaj was held captive by the Mughal emperor after being invited for his 50th birthday in Agra, and how the former escaped from captivity.
Digpal Lanjekar’s story is alright but it has been the subject matter of earlier Marathi films too. The screenplay, also written by Digpal Lanjekar, is interesting and engaging. The drama generally moves at a fast pace and keeps the viewers involved, but there are some dull movements too. Lanjekar’s dialogues are very good and even evoke claps at times.
Abhijeet Shwetachandra does a fair job as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Sameer Dharmadhikari is good in the role of Aurangzeb. Digpal Lanjekar plays Bahirji Naik with all the conviction at his command. Ajay Purkar is okay as Tanhaji Malusare. Mrinal Kulkarni performs ably as Jijau Aausaheb. Puneet Issar performs well in the role of Mirzaraje Jaysingh. Rishi Saxena is alright as Ramsingh. Prasanna Ketkar is fair in the role of Murarbaji Deshpande. Amisha Thakur is adequate as Aurangzeb’s daughter, Zebunnisa. Smita Shewale is ordinary as Aurangzeb’s sister, Jahan Ara Begum. Nupur Daithankar lends routine support as Shivaji Maharaj’s wife, Soyarabai. Yogesh Soman (as Raghunath Pant), Sachin Deshpande (as Kavindra Parmanand), Nikhil Raut (as Kisna), Virajas Kulkarni (as Hiroji Farzand), Amit Deshmukh (as Faulad Khan), Dnyanesh Wadekar (as Jafar Khan), Bipin Surve (as Baji Sarjerao), Abhilash Chaudhary (as Aniruddha Singh Ju), master Ayan Karne (as Bal Shambhu Raje), Akshay Waghmare (as Kirat Singh), Abhyang Kuwalekar (as Akhil Khan), Ashutosh Wadekar (as Girdharilal), Bhushan Shivtare (as Prataprao Gujar) and Sanket Oak (as Pilaji Shirke) provide the desired support. Others are passable.
Digpal Lanjekar’s direction is quite nice. His narration is entertaining. Avadhoot Gandhi and Mayur Raut’s music is okay. Lyrics (by Jagadguru Santshreshtha Shri Tukaram Maharaj and Digpal Lanjekar) are okay. Sumit Salunkhe and Anuradha Gawhane Salunkhe’s song picturisations are appealing. Mayur Raut’s background music is fairly impactful. Sandeep Shinde’s cinematography is nice. Babbu Khanna’s action and stunt scenes afford thrill. Pratik Redij and Sanjay Karole’s art direction is very good. Sagar Shinde and Vinay Shinde’s editing should’ve been sharper.
On the whole, Ranapati Shivray – Swari Agra is an ordinary fare and lacks newness as one has seen films with the same story. It will, therefore, not be able to do anything worthwhile at the box-office
Released on 6-2-’26 at Plaza (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay by Panorama Studios. Publicity: okay. Opening: weak.