# Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj: Chapter 1

Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj: Chapter 1 (transl. Protector of the Faith, Great Warrior Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj: Chapter 1) is a 2024 Indian Marathi-language epic historical war film directed by Tushar Shelar and produced by Shekhar Mohitepatil, Saujanya Nikam, Dharmendra Bora, and Ketanraje Bhosale under Urvita Productions. It features Thakur Anoop Singh in the title role alongside Amruta Khanvilkar, Pradeep Rawat, Sanjay Khapre, Bhargavi Chirmule, Kamlesh Sawant, Kishori Shahane and Raj Zutshi in pivotal roles. Set against the backdrop of 17th century, it is a romanticised fictional portrayal of the life of Sambhaji, as he defends the Maratha Empire and Hindu faith against the Mughal Empire, showcasing his bravery, tactical genius, and unwavering spirit, solidifying his legacy as a revered protector of his people and culture.
The film was officially announced in January 2023, and its principal photography began in the latter half of the same year. The shooting took place sporadically throughout the year, with filming conducted in the interiors of Maharashtra to capture the region's authentic essence. Mohit Kulkarni composed the film's music, while cinematographer Mahesh Aney handled the cinematography and Chirag Bhuva helmed the visual effects.
The film was theatrically released in Marathi on 22 November 2024, followed by its Hindi version on 29 November 2024, and received positive reviews from critics, who praised its direction, performances, and production values. The film has grossed over ₹11.90 crore (US$1.4 million)–₹12.70 crore (US$1.5 million) worldwide, emerging as the fifth highest grossing Marathi film of 2024.

## Cast

* Thakur Anoop Singh as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the Maratha Empire's second ruler and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's eldest son. Known for his bravery and tactical skill, he defended the empire against the Mughals, symbolizing courage and sacrifice.
* Amruta Khanvilkar as Maharani Yesubai Bhonsale, the devoted wife of Sambhaji known for her intelligence and leadership, played a vital role in supporting Sambhaji’s rule and managing the kingdom during turbulent times. After Jijabai, she became the Kulmuktyar of Swarajya.
* Kishori Shahane as Rajmata Jijausaheb Bhonsale, the mother of Shivaji I, is known for her strength, wisdom, and leadership. Her influence continued through her grandson, Sambhaji, guiding him in his early years and playing a key role in the Maratha Empire’s rise and defense.
* Bhargavi Chirmule as Dharaumata, the nursemaid from the Dhangar family of Pune, who played a crucial role in raising young Bal Shambhu Raje. She provided the maternal care and support that he needed during his early years, after the loss of his biological mother.
* Anand Pimpalkar as Guruji, a notable scholar and astrologer, known for his contribution as an advisor in the Maratha court.
* Pallavi Vaidya as Maharani Saibai Bhonsale, the first wife of Shivaji I and biological mother of Sambhaji, known for her strength and devotion, played a crucial role in supporting her husband’s vision and nurturing their son, making her an important figure in Maratha history.
* Krutika Tulaskar as Maharani Soyarabai Bhonsale, the first wife of Shivaji I, biological mother of Rajaram I and stepmother of Sambhaji. After her husband's death, she became a key figure in the power struggle, especially during the succession dispute between her son and his cousin.
* Pradeep Rawat as Muqarrab Khan, was a Mughal general known for his military skills and loyalty to Aurangzeb, playing a key role in battling the Marathas and suppressing their resistance.
* Raj Zutshi as Alamgir Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal Emperor, was known for his expansionist ambitions, strict Islamic policies, and efforts to suppress the Marathas, which ultimately contributed to the decline of the Mughal Empire.
* Ranjit Nikam as Siddhi Maulvi, a high-ranking general and influential leader of the Siddis, renowned for his naval expertise and strategic command of the Janjira fort, playing a pivotal role in the Maratha-Mughal conflicts.
* Sanjay Khapre as Sarsenapati Hambirrao Mohite, the Commander-in-Chief of the Maratha Empire under Shivaji I and later Sambhaji Maharaj.
* Anil Gawas as Bahirji Naik, Maratha spy and chief of intelligence department in the army of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
* Ujjwal Chopra as Kavi Kalash, a renowned poet, scholar, and loyal confidant known for his literary brilliance and unwavering support during challenging times.
* Aarti Shinde as Salma
* Pradeep Kabra as Siddhi Kasam
* Kamlesh Sawant as Siddhi Khairiyat, a powerful and resilient leader, who commanded Janjira fort against Maratha forces, securing a legacy as a resilient and strategic figure in Deccan history.
* Prathamesh Katkar as Akbar, the rebellious son of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, allied with Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj after opposing his father over succession disputes.
* Shraddha Shinde as Saraswati
* Trupti Rane as Laxmi
* Sheetal Patil as Durga
* Khushi Hajare as Sumi
* Kritika Velapure as Bhavani Sambhajiraje Bhosale, the eldest daughter of Sambhaji and Yesubai, known for her courage, strategic involvement in the empire's defense, and her strong leadership.
* Vineet Sharma as Kondaji Farzand, a prominent Maratha warrior and military leader often remembered for his significant role in several battles as a courageous and skillful leader, which helped to shape the Maratha forces.
* Swaraj Bhoite as Rajaram Maharaj, the younger son of Shivaji I, was a brave and determined leader who played a crucial role in preserving the Maratha Empire after the martyrdom of his elder brother, Sambhaji.
* Sandeep Mohitepatil as Maratha Mavala
* Rishank Mohite as Mavala
* Nitin Paygude as Mavala
* Shrihari Kale as Mavala
* Rajendra Bendre as Mavala
* Vishal Phale as Santaji Ghorpade, a legendary Maratha warrior and military commander, particularly famous for his strategic genius, bravery, and unwavering loyalty.
* Pramod Kale as Dadaji Deshpande, a military leader under Sambhaji, known for his loyalty and valor in defending the Maratha Empire and led several successful campaigns against the Mughals and also sacrificed his life in service.
* Sachin Gawali as Giroji Baba, a respected spiritual guide and trusted advisor to Sambhaji, providing wisdom and moral support during his reign.
* Suraj Khan as Daulat Khan
* Amy Aela as Sakina
* Prashant Mohite
* Shivshankar Swami as Shivshankar
* Dhanashri Kadam
* Mrunal Gaikwad
* Rahul Nevse
* Rahul Borole as Sardar

## Production

Following the grand success of the Marathi film Sarsenapati Hambirrao, Urvita Productions announced Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, in January 2023, marking the studio's second major production. Principal photography took place at Rajwada in Bhor, Jaoli village, and Vijaydurg Fort, with the first schedule of filming completed in November 2023, followed by the start of the second schedule in December. Initially, details about the cast were kept highly confidential. However, in August 2023, Thakur Anoop Singh was cast in the role of the legendary Maratha warrior, and speaking about the opportunity, he described it as a lifetime honor, stating, "Getting to play the role of Sambhaji Maharaj was a lifetime opportunity; not many actors have had the chance to portray such characters. I consider this a blessing." In May 2024, it was revealed that Thakur Anoop Singh, Amruta Khanvilkar, and Kishori Shahane would play the lead roles, with this film marking the first time Shahane has portrayed a historical character in her thirty-seven-year career.

## Soundtrack

The soundtrack album is composed by Mohit Kulkarni. On November 4, 2024, the much-anticipated title track was released in both Marathi and Hindi languages, showcasing the bravery, loyalty, and sacrifice, symbolizing the valiant spirit of the king. The second single, "Vaat Pahe Shambhuraya" was released on 11 November 2024, featuring Khanvilkar and Singh, with vocals by Shreya Ghoshal and choreography by Omkar Mane in both languages. The song beautifully captures the love, devotion, and historical bond between the two characters.

## Marketing and release

On the occasion of Sambhaji Maharaj's birth anniversary, on 14 May 2024, the first look poster of the movie featuring Singh's character was unveiled in a grand event in Pune organized by Suryoday Pratishthan, led by Navnath Pathare Patil, in the presence of thousands of devotees of Chhatrapati. Character reveals began on the first day of Navaratri, starting with Khanvilkar’s portrayal of Maharani Yesubai in a yellow saree and traditional Maharashtrian jewelry, praying before a Shivling, followed by Shahane’s portrayal of Jijamata in a green saree holding a child wrapped in orange cloth, and Chimule as Dharamata, seated with a toddler and teaching him to wield a sword and shield. Other key characters, including Saibai Bhonsale, Soyarabai Bhonsale, Kondaji Farzand, Rajaram Maharaj, the Mavalas and the Siddhis, were also revealed during this period.
Initially scheduled for release on 15 November 2024, the film was later postponed by a week, with the official teaser, launched on 11 October 2024, offered a glimpse of Singh in character and announcing the new release date of 22 November. The much-awaited trailer of 2 minutes 36 seconds was released in both Hindi and Marathi on 12 November 2024, during a grand launch event at PVR, City Mall, Mumbai. The event was attended by the film's cast and crew, including Thakur Anoop Singh, Pradeep Rawat, Bhargavi Chirmule, Amruta Khanvilkar, Anand Pimpalkar, all four producers, and Pens Studios founder Jayantilal Gada. A day before the trailer launch, producer Sandeep Mohitepatil met with Udayanraje Bhosale and MLA Shivendrasinh Raje Bhosale, members of the Chhatrapati family, to give them a special preview of the trailer. The trailer received a positive response from the audience, generating anticipation for the film’s release. The film's Marathi version was released on 22 November 2024, while the Hindi version followed a week later on 29 November 2024. On 25 November, a special screening was held for Udayanraje Bhosale and his family at their residence in Jal Mandir Palace, Satara. Rajmata Kalpanaraje Bhonsale remarked, "A wonderful film has been made. This film is not only good, but the actors have also added much to it. Everyone has played their characters well." Maharani Damayanti Udayanraje Bhonsale added, "The film's direction, dialogues, acting, proper use of VFX, and many other aspects have made this film even better."

### Controversy and challenges

Upon its release, the film received a positive response from audiences, especially in Maharashtra. However, it faced challenges due to limited screen allocation following the release of big-budget films like the pan-India Pushpa 2: The Rule. Reports emerged indicating that theaters prioritized commercial blockbusters, leaving minimal or no slots for the film. In response to this issue, Swati Pisal, the president of Astha Social Organization, stated that a joint meeting was held with Radhika Panhal, president of Manav Parivartan Vikas Multipurpose Charitable Organization, Anil Gharal of Maratha Federation, Rajendra Mane, Jaibhau Suryavanshi of Shiv Sena, and others. Pisal mentioned that a statement would be submitted to the Chief Minister, Provincial Officer, and Superintendent of Police. She described the situation as "very shameful and regrettable for progressive Maharashtra."
On 9 December 2024, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) issued a stern warning to the management of Miraj Ashok Anil Cinemas in Ulhasnagar, threatening to halt all shows at the theater if Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was not scheduled, as the theater had not screened a single show of the film. MNS leaders, including district president Bandu Deshmukh and city president Sanjay Ghuge, protested outside the theater, accusing it of sidelining the film while allocating 15 daily shows to Pushpa 2 and a single show to The Sabarmati Report. Following these protests, the theater management assured the party that the film would be given slots within two days. The controversy highlighted ongoing issues of unequal screen distribution, especially for regional and historical films, sparking a wider debate about the need for fair opportunities for Marathi cinema.

## Reception
### Critical response

Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj: Chapter 1 has received positive reviews from both critics and audiences, who have praised the performances, grandeur, story, writing and VFX, although some critics have criticized its lengthy runtime.
Mudit Bhatnagar of Times Now praised the film for its visuals, sets, costumes, and strong performances, particularly the tension between Sambhaji and Aurangzeb, stating, "It offers a respectable portrayal of a legendary figure. While it has its flaws, it succeeds in telling an important story with heart and sincerity." He gave the film three stars out of five. In his review for Sakal, Santosh Bhingarde awarded the film four out of five stars, commending its overall execution. He wrote, "It seems that director Tushar Shelar has done a lot of research while presenting this heroic story. The important events in the life of Sambhaji Maharaj have been carefully considered. Maharaj's courage, his bravery and his loyalty and sacrifice have been told how inspiring it is to the present generation." Keerti Kadam of Cinebuster described it as "a sincere attempt to honour the legacy" and wrote, "The film’s strengths lie in its sincere attempt to honour the legacy of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, stunning visuals, and commendable performances." She also pointed out its drawbacks, including "inconsistent pacing and a lack of emotional exploration, particularly in Sambhaji and Yesubai’s personal life," and rated the film 3.5 stars.

### Box office

The film earned ₹35 lakh (US$40,000) on its opening day. Over the next two days, it saw significant growth, collecting around ₹1 crore (US$120,000) each on the second and third days. This brought its total for the opening weekend to ₹3 crore (US$350,000). In the following two weeks, the film earned approximately ₹6 crore (US$690,000)–₹7 crore (US$810,000), maintaining a steady performance at the box office. As of 11 February 2025, the film has earned estimated to be between ₹11.90 crore (US$1.4 million)–₹12.70 crore (US$1.5 million) worldwide by the end of its eleventh week (83 days). It is still running in a few theatres in Pune and Mumbai.