Subhedar Review: Critically Accurate With Gripping Performances

Subhedar a film which is a 5^th instalment directed by Digpal Lanjekar in his series ‘Ashtak’ (a series of 8 films on the life of Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj and the history of Swarajya i.e., Self-rule) has released in theatres on August 25, 2023. The film is produced by A.A. Films & Everest Entertainment.

The story is based on the life of the brave soldier in King Shivaji’s army, Tanhaji Malusare who sacrificed his life for Swarajya when needed to take the Kondhana Fort from Mughals. He was said to be a childhood friend of Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj and considered as one of his favourites and strongest ever army men.

Digpal Lanjekar knows how to bring stories on the screen on point-

The story of Tanhaji Malusare is something which we are listening from our childhood atleast we read it in the history books and if not, then the entire country saw when Ajay Devgan and Om Raut joined forces to create 2020 film, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior on the same story. The film then grossed whooping Rs. 375 Cr. and brought the history of Shivaji Maharaj to the whole nation.

But still, the film got fired by the critical reviews for going to forward with the cinematic liberty in such an emotional and sensitive story which is close to hearts of too many devotees of Shivaji Maharaj all over the country. The artifacts which were shown in the film too were accused to be wrong. Anyway, we don’t want to talk about that but how ‘Subhedar’ and director Digpal Lanjekar brings authenticity to the showcasing of the same story is a talking point.

First, the film not only focuses on the battle of Kondhana but the life of Tanhaji Malusare and his role in the Army of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Digpal Lanjekar connects every dot in the film fluently that doesn’t seem off bit or off the record from the history books. He gives equal hand to the enemies, to each small character of the film and not tries to make the character of Tanhaji extraordinary, he knows the story and thus he knows that it is just enough.

On the acting front-

This being the 5^th film of the ‘Ashtak’ team we can say that the actors are growing and growing; they are unstoppable at putting realism in the characters. A film always needs highlighting performances to be iconic for the ages and we bet not just Subhedar but the ‘Ashtak’ is going to be remain as iconic in many ways.

Ajay Purkar shows his versatility of acting and doesn’t seem off-bit for a moment in all emotional to action sequences. He seems like he has learned the formula so well that he isn’t going to forget it for ages. Chinmay Mandlekar and Mrunal Kulkarni as Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj and Ma Jijabai are getting perfect at playing these roles. Mandlekar wins the emotional climax scenes. Mandlekar knows that this movie is more of Tanhaji and he takes a back step whenever needed to put him in fore-front.

Overall, Subhedar can be one of the favourites in ‘Ashtak’ and only increases the hype of the series by 10 times. If you want to watch a story true to the heart you should definitely go for it.

Rating- 4/5