Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior is a 2020 Indian 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.
In 1647, Tanhaji’s father, Kaloji Malusare trains him in sword-fighting, later succumbing to a Mughal plunder in Umrat. 17 years later in 1664, a now-adult Tanhaji (Ajay Devgn) with his younger brother Suryaji, commands Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s (Sharad Kelkar) Maratha Army to attack an intruding Mughal cavalry.
In 1665, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb (Luke Kenny) dispatches one of his generals the king of Amber Jai Singh to capture Shivaji to stop his rapid imperial expansion in Deccan, thus he captured Shivaji alongside his 23 forts under his control(battle of purandar). Later, the Mughal general Beshak Khan orders a quick vacation of the strategic fortress Kondhana(now known as sinhagad fort), insulting Jijabai (Padmavati Rao), Shivaji’s mother, who swears to remain barefoot until the Marathas recapture the fort. Tanhaji is informed about the treaty as well. Five years later, Shivaji Raje’s spy informs him about Aurangzeb’s plan to assign the Kondhana fort to his Rajput general Udaybhan Rathod (Saif Ali Khan) and to use it as a base for Aurangzeb’s southern imperial expansion. Raje plans to recapture Kondhana, considering himself to lead the campaign as Tanhaji, though an able general, can’t be employed due to his son Rayba’s upcoming wedding. Meanwhile, Tanhaji celebrates Holi with his family. Marathas begin their war preparations and Shivaji warns his generals to keep Tanhaji from knowing about the campaign. Tanhaji arrives at Rajgad for inviting Shivaji to Rayba’s wedding. Chandraji Pisal, a Maratha general, who’s attempting to usurp Shivaji Raje’s throne, discloses to Tanhaji the secret plan at his nephew Chultya’s recommendation. Tanhaji convinces Shivaji and Jijabai to permit him to lead the campaign and postpones Rayba’s wedding.
Elsewhere, Udaybhan reaches Burhanpur while the Marathas discuss his route possibilities. Tanhaji coins an attack plan but Pisal sends Chultya to warn Udaybhan about this plan. Pisal schemes of sabotaging Tanhaji’s mission and getting him killed so that Shivaji Raje would then appoint him in-charge of the mission. Pisal intends to become influential enough to overthrow Shivaji Raje and join hands with Udaybhan. Udaybhan is also bringing an imprisoned Kamla Devi (Neha Sharma) en route, the sister of his Rajput general Jagat Singh (Vipul Gupta). Chultya informs Udaybhan about Tanhaji’s attack plan and he tricks Tanhaji into attacking Maratha soldiers disguised under Mughal attire. Elsewhere, Udaybhan reaches Kondhana and aims a huge cannon called Nagin at Rajgad, threatening Shivaji’s safety. Dejected, Tanhaji reaches Kondhana alone to learn about a secret thief-entrance inside. Udaybhan kills a guard for disobeying the security protocol. Tanhaji recovers his dead remains and motivates the villagers to betray Udaybhan. He is recommended to participate in a Shivratri event on Kondhana where he kills Chultya for betrayal. Tanhaji is imprisoned and tortured by Udaybhan. Jagat Singh secretly releases Tanhaji, revealing Udaybhan’s plan to marry his sister. Tanhaji promises to release them from Udaybhan’s clutches. Tanhaji escapes from the thief-entrance and returns to Umrat where he informs his people about the upcoming war. Savitri Bai (Kajol), Tanhaji’s wife, worries about her husband’s life and son’s wedding. Tanhaji convinces Savitri Bai that everything will be alright, which she replies to by asking him what he wants from her when he returns. Tanhaji makes Savitri Bai promise to wear bridal attire while waiting for him.
Udaybhan hangs the guards responsible for Tanhaji’s escape and Jagat Singh agrees to get his sister married to Udaybhan on Ashtami’s eve, thus, convincing her to fake the marriage preparation until Tanhaji arrives. Tanhaji now plans to directly attack Kondhana during Ashtami night on 4 February 1670. He scales the fort through various entrances and attacks the Mughal army. The confusion allows Jagat and Kamla Devi to escape. Udaybhan is alerted and Tanhaji dies in the ensuing battle, although he captures Kondhana before killing Udaybhan. Shivaji’s army conquers Kondhana but he ends up breaking into tears over Tanhaji’s death; saying “Gad aala pan sinh gela” (The fort has been captured but we lost the lion). Later, He personally oversees Rayba’s marriage while Savitri Bai fulfill’s her promise to Tanhaji by adorning herself as a bride behind closed doors as she awaits his return, and Aurangzeb’s dream of winning southern India remains unfilled for 18 years until he himself came and retook it from Marathas.
Directed by Om Raut
Written by Prakash Kapadia & Om Raut
Produced by Ajay Devgn, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar
Starring Ajay Devgn, Kajol, Saif Ali Khan
Narrated by Sanjay Mishra
Cinematography Keiko Nakahara
Edited by Dharmendra Sharma
Music by Sandeep Shirodkar
Production T-Series Films & Ajay Devgn FFilms
Distributed by AA Films
Release date 10 January 2020 (India)
Running time 135 minutes
Country India
Language Tamil
