Dharmaveer 2 Movie Review

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Plot: A compelling perspective on the life of the leader Anand Dighe Sahab linked with the contemporary politics of Maharashtra and its connections to the past.

Director and Writer: Pravin Tarde

Producer: Mangesh Desai, Umesh Bansal

Cast: Prasad Oak, Kshitish Date, Snehal Tarde, Anand Ingale, Hrishikesh Joshi, Uday Sabnis

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Dharmaveer 2 Marathi Movie Review: 

The much anticipated sequel to the 2022 box office hit Dharmaveer, helmed by Pravin Tarde, has hit the theatres right before the Maharashtra Elections. The film continues the political saga of Thane’s godfather Anand Dighe Sahab linking it with the contemporary politics of Maharashtra along with Eknath Shinde’s rise to power.

The film starts right where the first one ended. The influence of Anand Dighe (Prasad Oak) on the contemporary Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde (Kshitish Date) is in continuity. The narrative jumps between past events of Dighe’s life and present events of Eknath’s life. Some of the significant events from the past include the Babri Masjid and introduction of Preliminary Exams for 10th Students. Dighe’s Hindu ideology helps him navigate through all problems and challenges to assure welfare of his people.

The second half completely shifts focus to Eknath Shinde and his internal conflicts with the alliance. It also shines some light on the struggles during Covid and how the alliance held the party back from taking harsh decisions. This dual narrative intertwines the personal with the political front, providing a tribute to Dighe while also depicting Shinde’s ascent within Maharashtra’s political hierarchy.

The second half becomes the biggest issue with the film as it turns into a marketing advertisement for Eknath Shinde and his party. The film, made shortly before the Maharashtra election, could be seen as a promotion for the political party associated with Mr. Eknath Shinde, despite its claim to be honest. It is likely to appeal primarily to those who are ardent supporters of Dighe Saheb, Shinde Saheb, and the Shiv Sena, and who hold Hindutva in high regard.

Prasad Oak as Anand Dighe is a match made in heaven. He delivers yet another masterclass with this one. One can only imagine how great Dighe Sahab could have been if the written material would have been slightly better. Kshitish Date feels like an AI lookalike of Eknath Shinde. Even though he is a spitting image of the political leader, he doesn’t make any powerful impact. Other supporting cast does an adequate job throughout.

Pravin Tarde definitely has the potential to deliver a much better film. He has done it in the past as well. This one lacks the magic of the first one. Maybe the lack of mass appeal and heavy influence of the promotional stuff kills the vibe. The music is average and the overuse of the title track could have been avoided to a great extent. The editing is choppy in the second half. The cinematography is stylish. Even though there are a few action sequences, they just feel lacklustre.

Even if I try to keep aside all the promotional stuff, the film lacks basic entertainment. The film could have definitely been an hour short of its runtime. Even if the film fails to highlight Dighe Saheb, it definitely works as a showreel for Eknath Shinde before Maharashtra Elections. Hindutvawadi fans should definitely give it a watch!