''Pawankhind'' is a 2022 Indian

Marathi Marathi may refer to: *Marathi people, an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group of Maharashtra, India *Marathi language, the Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people *Palaiosouda, also known as Marathi, a small island in Greece See also * * ...

-language

historical History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...

action drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-gen ...

directed by Digpal Lanjekar and produced under the banner of Almonds Creations in association with A A Films. The film based on the life of Maratha warrior,

Baji Prabhu Deshpande Baji Prabhu Deshpande ( 1615–1660) was a commander of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha empire. Baji Prabhu is linked with an important rear guard battle enabling Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's escape from Panhala fort; he w ...

, stars

Chinmay Mandlekar Chinmay Mandlekar (born 2 February 1979) is an Indian actor, writer and stage director, mostly active in the Marathi entertainment industry. He is known for his work in Zenda, Morya, ''Farzand'' (2018), ''Fatteshikast'' (2019), ''The Kashmir F ...

Mrinal Kulkarni Mrinal Deo-Kulkarni (born 21 June 1971) is a senior film, TV actress and director of India. She is better known for her role as Meerabai in doordarshan's Meerabai seriel and angel in Hindi TV serial ''Son Pari''. She has acted in Marathi langua ...

, Ajay Purkar,

Sameer Dharmadhikari Sameer Dharmadhikari is an Indian film and television actor and model Popular for Playing the Role of Samrat Bindusara Maurya in Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat . He played the male lead in the Marathi film '' Nirop'' that won the National Award for ...

, along with

Ankit Mohan Ankit Mohan is an Indian film and television actor who mainly works in Marathi cinema. He is known for television shows like ''Mahabharat'', ''Kumkum Bhagya'', ''Naagin 3'', '' Haiwaan'' and ''Kaatelal & Sons'' as well as the Marathi film ''Fa ...

Prajakta Mali Prajakta Mali (born 8 August 1989) is an Indian actress known for her work in Marathi film and television. She was born in Pandharpur and brought up in Pune. She started her career with Star Pravah's ''Suvasini'' in 2011. Later, she appeared in ...

and

Kshitee Jog Kshitee Jog (क्षिती जोग) (born 1 January 1983) is an Indian television actress known for her part as Saraswati (the eldest daughter) and one of the main characters on the Zee TV serial ''Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann''. She played ...

in supporting roles. It is the third entry in an eight-film series on the

Maratha Empire The Maratha Empire, also referred to as the Maratha Confederacy, was an early modern Indian confederation that came to dominate much of the Indian subcontinent in the 18th century. Maratha rule formally began in 1674 with the coronation of Shi ...

. After ''

Farzand ''Farzand'' () is a 2018 Indian Marathi-language historical drama War film directed by Digpal Lanjekar and produced by Anirban Sarkar under the banner of Swami Samarth Creations LLP. The film was co-produced by Sandip Jadhav, Mahesh Jaurkar and ...

'' and ''

Fatteshikast ''Fatteshikast'' () is a 2019 Indian Marathi language historical drama film directed by Digpal Lanjekar and produced under the banner of Almonds Creations in association with A A Films. The film stars Chinmay Mandlekar, Mrinal Kulkarni, Sameer ...

'', Digpal Lanjekar announced this third film on unsung Maratha heroes. It was followed by ''

Sher Shivraj ''Sher Shivraj'' is a 2022 Indian Marathi-language historical action drama film directed by Digpal Lanjekar and produced by Chinmay Mandlekar, Digpal Lanjekar, Nitin Keni, Pradyot Pendharkar and Anil Warkhade. The film based on the life of ...

''. The film was a huge commercial success with film become the third highest-grossing Marathi film of all time and the highest-grossing Marathi film of 2022.

Synopsis

The film depicts the historical rearguard

last stand A last stand is a military situation in which a body of troops holds a defensive position in the face of overwhelming and virtually insurmountable odds. Troops may make a last stand due to a sense of duty; because they are defending a tactic ...

that took place on 13 July 1660 at a mountain pass in the vicinity of fort

Vishalgad Vishalgad (also called Vishalgarh, Khelna or Khilna) was a jagir during the Maratha Empire and then later part of the Deccan States Agency of the British Raj. It was governed by Deshastha Brahmins, who were feudatories of Kolhapur State. Fort ...

, near the city of

Kolhapur Kolhapur () is a city on the banks of the Panchganga River in the southern part of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the administrative headquarter of the Kolhapur district. In, around 2 C.E. Kolapur's name was 'Kuntal'. Kolhapur is kn ...

Maharashtra Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a states and union territories of India, state in the western India, western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the List of states and union te ...

, India between the

Maratha The Marathi people (Marathi: मराठी लोक) or Marathis are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group who are indigenous to Maharashtra in western India. They natively speak Marathi, an Indo-Aryan language. Maharashtra was formed as a M ...

Warrior

and Siddi Masud of

Adilshah The Adil Shahi or Adilshahi, was a Shia,Salma Ahmed Farooqui, ''A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: From Twelfth to the Mid-Eighteenth Century'', (Dorling Kindersley Pvt Ltd., 2011), 174. and later Sunni Muslim,Muhammad Qasim Firishta's ...

Sultanate, known as

Battle of Pavan Khind Battle of Pävankhind was a rearguard last stand that took place on 13 July 1660, at a mountain pass in the vicinity of fort Vishalgad, near the city of Kolhapur with the Maratha warrior Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Sambhu Singh Jadhav against Si ...

Plot

The film begins in 1674 with the

Shivaji Maharaj Shivaji Bhonsale I (; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680), also referred to as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the declining Adilsh ...

(

) telling story of

Sambhaji Maharaj Sambhaji Bhosale (14 May 1657 – 11 March 1689) was the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, ruling from 1681 to 1689. He was the eldest son of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. Sambhaji's rule was largely shaped by the ongoing ...

(Stavan Shinde). The plot frequently switches flashback to 1660. Badi Begum (

) asked everyone ‘’Who has dare to kill

Shivaji Shivaji Bhonsale I (; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680), also referred to as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the declining Adils ...

’’? then Siddi Johar (

) came into the kingdom & said "I have dare to kill

". Badi Begum gives him a chance to prove himself on one condition. If he kills

she will give him a post in

Bijapur Sultanate The Adil Shahi or Adilshahi, was a Shia,Salma Ahmed Farooqui, ''A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: From Twelfth to the Mid-Eighteenth Century'', (Dorling Kindersley Pvt Ltd., 2011), 174. and later Sunni Muslim,Muhammad Qasim Firishta's T ...

& If he is unsuccessful in killing

, she will kill him. At that time

was encamped at Panhala fort with his forces. Siddi Johar's army besieged the fort of Panhala and cut off the supply of routes to the fort. During the bombardment of Panhala, Siddi Johar purchased grenades from the English at Rajapur and hired some English personalities in their force.

gave order to

Bahirji Naik Bahirji Naik, (original name Bhairavnath Jadhav), was a 17th century Indian spy and military commander in the army of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at a time when the Maratha Empire and Mughal Empire were at war. He was honoured by Shivaji maharaj wit ...

(Harish Dudhade) to search a secret road of

in order to escape. Bahirji found the road and

escaped from Panhala by cover of night but here they create a

's look alike Shiva Kashid (Ajinkya Nanaware), a barber by profession sending him for the meeting with Siddi Johar. Shiva Kashid went to Siddi Johar but when Fazal Khan recognized him, Siddi killed Shiva Kashid. Here Adilshah's army was in pursuit with an army of 10,000. Then,

decided to split his forces.

(Ajay Purkar) agreed to face Adilshah's troops with 300 soldiers. Shivaji Maharaj told him that he would hear cannons being fired 5 times, signaling Shivaji Maharaj's safety. Baji Prabhu occupied Ghodkhind, blocking the path of Adilshah troops. His brother, Fulaji, Rayaji Bandal, Shambusingh Jadhav, Aginya were present with him. Fulaji, Aginya, Rayaji and Shambusingh were killed after fierce fight. Baji Prabhu were wounded but carried on fighting at Ghodkhind. Five hours after starting the battle, the cannons were fired announcing that Shivaji Maharaj safely returned to Vishalgad. The plot frequently switches to 1674.

renamed Ghodkhind to Pawankind in honour of the sacrifices of the 300

troops.

Cast

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shivaji Bhonsale I (; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680), also referred to as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the declining Adilsh ...

as Rajmata Jijabai *Ajay Purkar as

Ruchi Savarn Ruchi Savarn is an Indian television actress. She is known for her performances in ''Ghar Aaja Pardesi'', ''Kumkum Bhagya'' and ''Kundali Bhagya''. Personal life Savarn married actor Ankit Mohan on 2 December 2015. They had their first child, a ...

as Matoshri

Soyarabai Soyarabai Bhosale (née Mohite) (died 1681) was one of the eight wives of Shivaji, the founder of Maratha empire in western India. She was mother of Shivaji's second son, Rajaram. She was the younger sister of Maratha army chief Hambirrao Mohi ...

as Shrimant Bhavanibai Bandal *Surabhi Bhave as Matoshri Sonai Deshpande *

as Badi Begum. *Madhavi Nimkar as Matoshri Gautamai Deshpande *

as Siddi Johar *Ujjwala Jog as Bajiprabhu's mother Bayobai Deshpande *Astad Kale as Siddi Masud *Rishi Saxena as

Rustam Zaman Rustam-i-Zaman was the title of a Bijapuri general who commanded Adil Shah's 10,000 strong army, in the Battle of Kolhapur against Shivaji's forces. He also was the son of Ranadulla Khan (who also held the title ''Rustam-i-Zaman''), an experienc ...

*Sushrut Mankani as Fazar Khan *

as Rayajirao Bandal *Dipti Ketkar as Dipaiaau Bandal *Harish Dudhade as

*Akshay Waghmare as Koyaji Bandal *Ajinkya Nanaware as Narvir Shiva Kashid *Bipin Surve as Shambu Singh Jadhavrao *Kunal Dhumal as Sarjerao Jedhe *

Vaibhav Mangle Vaibhav Mangle ( mr, वैभव मांगले) is a Marathi actor and Hindi film, television and stage actor, noted for his comic roles in Marathi theatre and Marathi films and television from India. Anand Ingle and Vaibhav Mangle are se ...

as Gangadharpant *Sunil Jadhav as Fulajiprabhu Deshpande *Sachin Bhilare as Aaginya *Vikram Gaikwad as

Netaji Palkar Netaji Palkar (1620–1681) was a ''Sardar Senapati'' or ''Sarnaubat'' ( Commander-in-Chief) under Chhatrapati Shivaji, founder of the Maratha empire. Family history Netaji Palkar was born in a small village, called Chouk in Khalapur, Maharash ...

*Shivraj Waichal as Harpya *Rajan Bhise as

Kanhoji Jedhe Kanhoji Naik-Jedhe Deshmukh was a 17th-century Marathi Sardar , and a trusted aide of Shahaji Maharaj, and of Shahaji's son Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj , who founded the Maratha Empire in 1646. Kanhoji owned the entire 'Rohid Khora', which inclu ...

Santosh Juvekar Santosh Juvekar is an Indian film, television and stage actor. Known for his work in Marathi films. He has also acted in Hindi films. Career Juvekar started with his acting career in 2004 with the Marathi play ''Aani Makarand Rajadhyaksha'' p ...

as Guest appearance in song "Raja Ala Raja Ala"

Production

Development

In December 2019 after ''

'' and ''

'', Digpal Lanjekar announced a new film 'Jung Jauhar', his third film on unsung Maratha heroes.

Filming

On 11 February 2020, principal photography took place in

Raigad Fort Raigad is a hill fort situated in Mahad, Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It is one of the strongest fortresses on the Deccan Plateau. It was previously known as Rairee or Rairy fort. Many constructions and structures on Raigad were b ...

, Maharashtra. Filming was completed on 19 March 2020. In February 2021 makers renamed ''Jungjauhar'' to ''Pawankhind''.

Music

Soundtrack of the film is composed by Devdutta Manisha Baji and lyrics written by Digpal Lanjekar. Video of track "Yugat Mandli" sung by Haridas Shinde, Avadhoot Gandhi was released in December 2021.

Release

Theatrical

Pawankhind was originally scheduled to release on 10 June 2021, but was postponed due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

. The second release date 31 December 2021, but the release was again delayed due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, fuelled by the

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) is a variant of SARS-CoV-2 first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa on 24 November 2021. It was first detected in Botswana and has spread to become the ...

. The film was released on 18 February 2022.

Home media

The film was released digitally streamed on

Amazon Prime Video Amazon Prime Video, also known simply as Prime Video, is an American Video on demand#Subscription models, subscription video on-demand Over-the-top media service, over-the-top Streaming media, streaming and Renting, rental service of Amazon (c ...

from 20 March 2022. Star India Network acquired by the satellite rights of this film

Reception

Box office

''Pawankhind'' collected crore in the opening week of its release. the film has grossed Crore. The film ended its theatrical collecting a gross of crores with net collections of 34-35 crores at the Box Office.

Critical response

Pawankhind received critical acclaim. Mihir Bhanage from

The Times of India ''The Times of India'', also known by its abbreviation ''TOI'', is an Indian English-language daily newspaper and digital news media owned and managed by The Times Group. It is the third-largest newspaper in India by circulation and largest ...

gave 3.5 stars (out of 5), saying that "Pawankhind excels in storytelling, the technical aspects, though good, could have been better. The background score overpowers dialogues in some important scenes, and the action choreography in some scenes fails to make the cut. However, all said and done, the entire team has done its best to make this a big screen experience. Maybe with a bigger budget, these things can be ironed out in the following films of Lanjekar's series" Shriram Iyengar from Cinestaan.com wrote that "Of course, the drama is heightened. It is important to remember that the film feels coloured by a majoritarian bias. Yet, that was always the style of folk dramatists. They could change the tone to suit the audience. Cinema can claim to be no different. There are moments in the final action sequence when the VFX glitches are visible, but they do not hinder the story in any way" Kalpesh Kubal from

Maharashtra Times ''Maharashtra Times'' ( mr, महाराष्ट्र टाइम्स), colloquially referred to as 'Ma Ta' (मटा) from its Marathi initialism, is a Marathi newspaper based in Mumbai, India. It is one of the largest selling daily ...

Wrote that "The technical side seems to have faltered somewhat; But that can be ignored. Throughout the story of the film, the director has tried to underline various knights"

Lokmat ''Lokmat'' () is a Marathi language newspaper published in Maharashtra state. Founded in 1971 by Jawaharlal Darda, it is the largest read regional language newspaper in India with more than 18 million readers and the No. 1 Marathi newspaper i ...

Wrote "hard work of the director and the actors can be seen on the screen. To experience an unprecedented history, you must visit this movie theater and watch it at least once"

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, 14448632 2022 drama films 2022 films Indian historical drama films 2020s Marathi-language films 2022 Marathi-language films 2022 Marathi-language Historical films Films set in the Maratha Empire Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic