Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the great hero of Indian history, whose name makes every Indian’s chest swell with pride. The audience’s engagement with any artwork based on his life is not limited to entertainment, but a matter of deep faith. Riteish Deshmukh has tried to bring this ‘Shiva Bhava’ on screen through his dream project ‘Raja Shivaji’.
Story: From the foundation of Swaraj to the assassination of Afzal Khan
The film begins in the 17th century when Maharashtra was struggling with the tyranny of foreign invaders. The film beautifully depicts how Rajmata Jijabai sowed the seed of ‘Swaraj’ in little Shivba’s mind. The victory scenes of forts like Torna, Kandhana and Purandar fill the audience with thrill. The highlight of the film is the historic face-off between the Maharaja and Afzal Khan (Sanjay Dutt), which changed history. A turning point in the story comes when Adil Shah starts taking Maharaj seriously and captures his father Shahji Raje. The rise of Afzal Khan and his historical conflict with the Maharaja is the central theme of the film. It is not just a story of war, but also of diplomacy, sacrifice and the unbreakable concept known as ‘Swaraj’.
Direction and Acting: Full of enthusiasm, lack of experience
Ritesh Deshmukh himself has taken the responsibility of directing this film. His vision is brilliant, but at some places the film sounds like a ‘daily soap’.
Ritesh Deshmukh: He has invested all his soul in the character of Maharaj. He is effective in action and emotional scenes.
Sanjay Dutt: His menacing style as Afzal Khan is one of the strongest aspects of the film.
Abhishek Bachchan and Salman Khan: The cameos of these stars add to the ‘star power’ of the film, though Abhishek’s Marathi dialogues sound a bit awkward.
Vidya Balan: Despite being a good actress, she has got very little screen time.
King Shivaji: What doesn’t work?
The biggest shortcoming of the film is its length and editing. Being over three hours long, it feels stretched in places. The pace of the film is constantly up and down, which makes the audience restless at times. The screenplay lacks cohesion, and the transitions between scenes are not as seamless as one would expect in a world-class historical drama. While it may be futile to look for logic in action scenes, they still require a coherent framework, which is lacking here. Technically, parts of the film feel very modern, while others look anachronistic. This imbalance slightly weakens its overall effect.
King Shivaji: Technical Aspects
Technically, the film is a mixed bag. Its cinematography is commendable, beautifully portraying the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra, though the color gamut seems a bit uneven at some places. The sound design and background score are mediocre and fail to highlight many important moments. However, Ajay-Atul’s music is the life of this film. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s song and the songs in the film are awe-inspiring, often making even the simplest scenes extraordinary. Once again, Ajay-Atul has proven that they have no equal when it comes to creating music that celebrates Maharaj’s legacy.
King Shivaji: Decision
‘Raja Shivaji’ is a film that should be felt with the heart and not with the mind. It also has some drawbacks; Sometimes it feels a bit raw and disorganized, especially the editing. Yet, when the saffron flag is waved on the screen and cheers for the Maharaja are heard, all grievances are automatically washed away. The climax of the last 20 minutes of the film and Maharaj’s sheer courage made the audience rise from their seats and applaud. Riteish Deshmukh has tried his best to pay a grand tribute to the Maharaja, and the film is expected to do well at the box office as well. This film deserves to be seen not only for its cinematic nuances, but also for the pride and respect for our history.
Also Read: ‘Ritesh Deshmukh looks like Shivaji’s original avatar’, RGV hails ‘Raja Shivaji’, film creates a stir at the box office.
If you are a devotee of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, you will feel a deep emotional connection with this film. Despite its cinematic shortcomings, the name ‘Shivray’ alone is reason enough to watch this film. ‘Raja Shivaji’ is a brilliant, but somewhat uneven film, held together by Riteish Deshmukh’s love and respect for the Maharaja. Watch it to feel that ultimate ‘shivray-bhava’ that finally fills your mind with so much excitement and enthusiasm.
Also Read: Salman Khan’s powerful cameo in Riteish Deshmukh’s film, whistles in the theater.
3 out of 5 stars to ‘Raja Shivaji’