Thankfully, the makers don't follow the usual boring norms seeking the help of animation in the starting credits to explain the backdrop of the story. We see how Subedar Tanaji Malusare (Ajay Devgn) grows up fulfilling his dad's promise of earning freedom for the country. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (Sharad Kelkar) is shown spreading the dream of 'Swaraj' (self-rule) all over the country.

TANHAJI: THE UNSUNG WARRIOR is the story of one of the greatest warriors of India. The year is 1664. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (Sharad Kelkar) has given a tough fight to the Mughals, headed by Emperor Aurangzeb (Luke Kenny), in the Deccan region. However, when things get tough for the Marathas, Shivaji Maharaj decides to sign a treaty. As part of this agreement, he hands over some 23 forts to the Mughals, including the strategic Kondhana Fort.

Kondhana Fort was of strategic importance to Aurangzeb as from there he could keep an eye over the whole South region. Shivaji had to cede the fort following the treaty of Purandar and was desperate to get it back. His trusted sardar Tanhaji Malusare along with his band of diehard soldiers captured the fort by climbing over seemingly impregnable walls and defeated the Rajput commander Udaybhan who was kept in charge of the fort by Aurangzeb.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has the dream of Swaraj that is cherished by the Marathas. However, the Mughal Sultanate reigned by Aurangzeb is getting more powerful by the day. He has with him many Rajput Kings. The strategic fort of Kondana is with Basheer Khan but now Aurangzeb wants to expand his empire.

Hindi cinema loves revisiting India's glorious past and telling the stories of heroism and bravery. After last year's Panipat paid tribute to Maratha pride, 2020 has begun on a high note with the story of yet another unsung Maratha hero, Tanhaji.

Director Om Raut redeems his historical Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior to a large extent with a smashing climax, involving a duel between the titular character (Ajay Devgn) and his Rajput nemesis Uday Bhan (Saif Ali Khan). It is a powerful close to a film that lacked the same intensity throughout its rather tepid narrative. Sure, the climax conventionally needs to be at a higher point than the rest of the film.

Close on the heels of Panipat comes yet another tale steeped in Maratha pride. I am now a little wary of any film (or should I say ffilm) that peddles itself as a conflict between saffron and green flags. There's a great deal of bhagwa fervour and flag waving in Director Om Raut's Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior as well, but a penchant for Islamophobia is largely spared.

There is a condition called period drama/historical fatigue and I must admit that I am suffering a wee bit from it. Little then to get excited about yet another Hindi film that aims to make Indians proud of who we are by taking us back to the past, right to the end of the 17th century, when we used to be the "sone ki chidiya", till "baahari taaqat" (the foreign invaders) came and split us apart.

Ajay Devgn is probably an underrated producer. Be it Raju Chacha, U Me Aur Hum, Shivaay and now Tanhaji, he has always experimented with new techniques. They worked or not is a separate thing, but these movies bring out how he is willing to raise the stakes.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj pledge of Swaraj is getting a stiff challenge from the Mughals, the mighty Aurangzeb in his greed now wants to rule Deccan and capture the prestige of Shivaji - the fort of Kondana. He assigns the wild, dangerous, cunning and brutal Uday Bhan (Saif Ali Khan) to siege the Deccan. Kondana needs to be protected from the mighty Mughal onslaught.

The film traces the life of the fierce Maratha warrior, Tanhaji Malusare, who was one of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's closest aides and a military leader. It focuses on the famous Battle of Sinhagad (February 4, 1670), which saw Tanhaji take on Udaybhan, a Rajput who fought for Aurangzeb against the Marathas.

A treat for the eye, if not for the mind, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, co-produced by lead actor Ajay Devgn, is a 3D period biopic that gives historicity a wide berth and pieces together a dramatic enactment of a 17th century Maratha conquest of a strategic fort under the control of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

One Word Review... Tanhaji: SUPERB. Drama, emotions, conflict, action, VFX, #Tanhaji is an enthralling experience... Electrifying climax... Top notch direction... #Ajay, #Kajol, #Saif in super form... Get ready for 2020's first cr+ film.

Bollywood and its love affair with historical heroes has given us many films in the recent past. While films like Padmaavat and Jodha Akbar made us feel awed of our grand and magnificent history, cinematic experiences like the recent Panipat compelled us to question the filmmaker's motive behind making such films.