An epic retelling of an interesting chapter from Maratha history

Immediately after Farzand and Fatteshikast, Digpal Lanjekar’s 1st two flicks in the series of films dedicated to the bravery of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha army, the writer-director returns with a bang in the 3rd film of the sequence – Pawankhind.

The film, which was delayed owing to the pandemic, is centered on a person of the most famous incidents from Maratha heritage – the Battle of Pavan Khind. At the outset, the makers make it very clear that this is not a total documentation of the struggle, its prelude or aftermath, but a cinematic recreation intended to showcase the bravery of the Marathas associated in this struggle. So, there are cinematic liberties taken in this retelling, but the crux of the story is maintained.

The tale about the Battle of Pavan Khind (before identified as Ghod Khind) and the bravery exhibited by Bajiprabhu Deshpande and the Bandal military of 600 towards the Siddhi Masud and the troopers of the Adilshahi Sultanate is nicely known throughout Maharashtra. The end result – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s productive escape from Panhalgad to Vishalgad. But, does Lanjekar do well in recreating this essential chapter from Marathi record on display? Definitely!

Pawankhind is a comprehensive cinematic experience that is in shape for the huge display screen. The movie is formidable in making an attempt to discover this tale in two and a fifty percent hours, but it largely succeeds in generating the proper construct up and atmosphere that leads to a amazing climax. From laying out the motive and the figures involved in it, to the siege of Panhala by Siddhi Jauhar, the escape plan and the genuine battle, Pawankhind lays out all its cards in entrance you chronologically, even though inducing a dose of history, drama and even comic relief in in between. The film doesn’t miss out on out on offering because of credit history to the vast majority of the generals who aided Shivaji Maharaj realise his desire of Swarajya.

As for the actors, it is not an simple activity to deliver some of the most perfectly –known names from the Marathi movie and Tv market jointly in a multi-starrer of this scale. But the casting department and makers pull off this feat. Chinmay Mandlekar as Shivaji Maharaj, Ajay Purkar as Bajiprabhu Deshpande, Sameer Dharmadhikari as Siddhi Jauhar, Aastad Kale as Siddhi Masud, Ankit Mohan as Rayaji Bandal, Mrinal Kulkarni as Maasaheb Jijau, Akshay Waghmare as Koyaji Bandal each and every actor has provided his very best to their roles. Even the supporting forged has some memorable performances from Kshitee Jog as Badi Begum, Harish Dudhade as Bahirji Naik, Shivraj Waichal as Harpya, Rishi Saxena as Rustam Zaman. A further noteworthy overall performance that stands out is that of Ajinkya Nanaware as Shiva Kashid, the guy who resembled Shivaji Maharaj and sacrificed himself for his king. The scenes involving Ajinkya and Chinmay are certain to provide tears to your eyes.

Whilst Pawankhind excels in storytelling, the technological areas, however fantastic, could have been far better. The qualifications score overpowers dialogues in some crucial scenes, and the motion choreography in some scenes fails to make the slice. Having said that, all stated and finished, the entire crew has done its most effective to make this a massive monitor knowledge. Maybe with a larger finances, these matters can be ironed out in the next films of Lanjekar’s collection.

For now, Pawankhind is a fantastic observe, and at the cinemas only.