Marking six glorious years since its release, ‘Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior’ continues to resonate as a cinematic triumph. The 2020 release, helmed by Om Raut, immortalized the bravery of Tanhaji Malusare in a visually stunning narrative. Sharad Kelkar, who played the pivotal role of Udaybhan Rathod, opened up about the transformative journey on this milestone anniversary.
The film chronicles the 1670 battle for Kondhana Fort, where Tanhaji (Ajay Devgn) scales sheer cliffs with crocodiles in tow for ropes, facing off against the cunning Udaybhan. Kelkar’s commanding presence as the Rajput warrior opposite Devgn’s intensity created box-office magic. ‘It was an absolute dream,’ Kelkar enthused. ‘The scale, the passion – everything was larger than life.’
Behind the scenes, the production boasted Hollywood-level craftsmanship. Over 500 artisans built the colossal fort set, while international VFX teams crafted realistic war scenes. Saif Ali Khan as Traitor Madhar Deshpande and Kajol as Savitribai added emotional depth. The movie’s dialogues, like ‘Gadh aala pan sinh gela’ (The fort is gained, but the lion is lost), became cultural catchphrases.
Kelkar’s career skyrocketed post-‘Tanhaji’. From dubbing voices to facing cameras, his arc was inspiring. ‘Om Raut gave me wings,’ he said. ‘The action choreography by Nick Powell was intense; I trained like a soldier.’ The film’s success silenced skeptics of big-budget historicals, paving the way for ‘RRR’ and ‘Manikarnika’.
Today, ‘Tanhaji’ thrives on OTT, with 4K re-releases rumored. It holds a special 4.8/5 rating on IMDb, praised for authenticity and performances. As Kelkar toasts the anniversary, he hints at future projects: ‘More warriors to portray.’ The film stands tall, a beacon of Indian storytelling prowess.
