Raghuveer Marathi Movie Review: Inspiring and earthy

RAGHUVEER (Marathi)

Director: Nilesh Arun Kunjir

Cast: Vikram Gaikwad, Rujuta Deshmukh, Navin Prabhakar, Rahul Mehendale, Ninad Kulkarni

Platform of Release: Theatres

Rating: 

By Jyothi Venkatesh

The film set in the seventeenth century, is an in depth biopic of Samarth Ramdas Swami. Narayan (Ninad Kulkarni) is to be married at the age of 12 but he runs away from the wedding celebrations before the ceremony starts as he genuinely feels that it is his mission to raise his voice against and educate the people about the atrocities perpetrated by Muslims on Hindus.

Shivaji Maharaj was Swamiji’s biggest disciple. How Narayan’s popularity keeps growing and how, after he grows up (Vikram Gaikwad), people start referring to him as Samarth Ramdas Swami forms the crux of the drama. Samarth Swami finally breathes his last two years after warrior Shivaji Maharaj dies.

Though Abhiram Bhadkamkar has written a story which will appeal mainly to the older generation which worshipped Samarth Swami, it is sad that the young generation may not receive the story with the same reverence, as the youngsters would feel more bored, partly because the film lacks face value.

As far as the performances go, Vikram Gaikwad does well as Samarth Ramdas Swami but, unfortunately, he is not at all able to carry the burden of the film on his shoulders. Ninad Kulkarni is okay as young Narayan. Rujuta Deshmukh , though she  does not have a long role, lends average support as Narayan’s mother, Ranubai. Vignesh Joshi makes his presence felt in the role of Lord Ram.

Naveen Prabhakar passes off in the role of Saavji, who sons the innocent villagers but is reformed by Samarth Swami while Rahul Mehendale is ordinary as Gangadhar Swami. Bhushan Telang (as Hora Bhushan), Varsha Dandale (as Satyabhama), Mousumi Tonwalkar (as Satibai), Anushree Phadnis (as Vennaswami), Dev Nikharge (as Adil Shah and Shailesh Datar (as Gopaji Pant) provide routine support.

On the whole, I can sum up the film which is a solo release this week, is that though it’s pace is very languid, it is not only very inspiring and earthy to the core as a biopic of Samarth Ramdas Swami.