Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior is a 2020 Indian Hindi-language historical action film, co-written and directed by Om Raut and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar and Ajay Devgn under T-Series Films and Ajay Devgn FFilms. Tracing the life of Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare, it stars Ajay Devgn as the eponymous lead, Kajol and Saif Ali Khan. It also features Neha Sharma, Sharad Kelkar and Luke Kenny in supporting roles. Set in the 17th century, it revolves around Tanaji's attempts to recapture the Kondhana fortress once it passes on to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who transfers its control to his trusted guard Udaybhan Singh Rathore.
The film was originally named Tanaji: The Unsung Warrior but the name was later changed to Tanhaji. The film was launched on 20 July 2017, with Raut making his directorial debut in Bollywood. Raut, who previously directed Lokmanya: Ek Yug Purush (2015), for which he received acclaim, the film was simultaneously dubbed in Marathi following popular demand. Principal photography commenced on 25 September 2018, and completed within May 2019. Filming took in mostly across the Film City in Mumbai, and few scenes shot at Pune. The cinematography and editing were handled by Keiko Nakahara and Dharmendra Sharma. The background score was composed by Sandeep Shirodkar; the soundtrack album was composed by Ajay–Atul, Sachet–Parampara and Mehul Vyas and released under the label T-Series.
Tanhaji was released in India in 3D and conventional formats on 10 January 2020. The film received wide critical and public praise for Devgn and Khan's performances, the visual effects, cinematography, action sequences, art direction, music, score, and editing. The film grossed worldwide and was declared a major success at the box office, thus becoming the highest grossing Hindi film of 2020 as well as highest grossing Indian film of 2020. It became the 28th highest grossing Indian film of all time. The film was selected as one of the Best Foreign Film to be screened at the 78th Golden Globe Awards. At the 68th National Film Awards, the film won the awards for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, Best Actor (Devgn) and Best Costume Design. At the 66th Filmfare Awards, Tanhaji received 13 nominations, including Best Film and Best Actor (Devgn), and won 4 awards, including Best Director (Raut) and Best Supporting Actor (Khan).
Plot
In 1647, Tanhaji's father, Kaloji Malusare, trains him in sword-fighting, only to succumb to a Mughal plunder in Umrat. 17 years later in 1664, a now-adult Tanhaji, with his younger brother Suryaji, commands Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Maratha army to attack an intruding Mughal cavalry.
In 1665, the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, dispatches one of his most-trusted generals, Maharaja of Amber, Jai Singh, to capture Shivaji, which will stop his rapid imperial expansion into the Deccan Plateau. He successfully captures Shivaji, alongside his 23 forts that are under his control, in the Battle of Purandar. Later the Mughal general, Beshak Khan, orders a quick seize of Shivaji's strategic fortress, Kondhana, insulting Jijabai, Shivaji's mother. She swears to remain barefoot until the Marathas recapture the fort. Tanhaji is informed about the treaty as well. Five years later, in 1670, Shivaji's spy informs him about Aurangzeb's plan to assign Kondhana to his Rajput general, Udaybhan Rathod, and use it as a base for Aurangzeb's southern imperial expansion. Shivaji plans to recapture Kondhana, considering himself to lead the campaign as Tanhaji, though an able general, cannot be employed due to his son, Rayba's upcoming wedding.
Meanwhile, Tanhaji celebrates Holi with his family. The Marathas begin their preparations for war and Shivaji warns his generals to keep Tanhaji from knowing about the campaign. Tanhaji arrives at Rajgad, to invite Shivaji and Jijabai to Rayba's wedding. Chandraji Pisal, a Maratha general, who is attempting to usurp Shivaji's throne, discloses the secret plan to Tanhaji at his nephew, Chultya's recommendation. Tanhaji convinces Shivaji and Jijabai to permit him to lead the campaign, who reluctantly agree. He postpones Rayba's wedding.