Baghtos Kay Mujra Kar

Baghtos Kay Mujra Kar is a dynamic Marathi film from 2017, directed by Hemant Dhome who has skilfully woven together elements of comedy, pathos, history, and modernity to create a heart-warming masterpiece. The film features a star-studded cast including names like Jitendra Joshi, Aniket Vishwasrao, and Akshay Tanksale.

The film serves as a tribute and indirect critique of the manner in which historical monuments are often taken for granted or neglected. The core narrative revolves around three friends—Nanasaheb Deshmukh (played by Jitendra Joshi), Pandurang Shinde (played by Aniket Vishwasrao), and Shivarayancha Shiva (played by Akshay Tanksale)—who set out on a mission to restore the glory and honor of the forts of Maratha King Shivaji Maharaj.

The film mirrors the regional pride of the people of Maharashtra in their heritage as custodians of the forts. The protagonist Nanasheb, who is the Sarpanch of Kharbujewadi, a small village in Satara, leads the narrative. He is a man grappling with the apathy of his fellow villagers towards the deteriorating condition of the local fort associated with the great Maratha King Shivaji. Convinced that only political power could make a difference, Nana burns with the ambition of getting elected as an MLA, which he believes will enable him to preserve and refurbish the forts.

His friends, Pandurang and Shiva, share his selfless desire to restore the dwindling heritage sites and are staunch supporters of his novel mission. They collectively believe in the idea that their lineage and ancestors’ great deeds would inspire the current generation to understand their historic significance and appreciate their heritage.

In pursuit of this mission, they journey from their humble village in Maharashtra to the bustling city of London, where the royal throne of the great King Shivaji is exhibited in a museum. The contrasts between rural and urban, old and new, modern and traditional provide a leading motif throughout the narrative, generating both humor and pathos.

The film uses a lighter tone and occasional comic timing to communicate a strong message, making the narrative engaging rather than preachy. The dialogues are cleverly penned and the soundtrack complements the narrative well with soul-stirring tunes imbuing the native culture and pride.

The acting performances in Baghtos Kay Mujra Kar are commendable. Jitendra Joshi, especially, impresses with his nuanced performance encompassing a range of emotions such as resolution, despair, and bravery. Aniket Vishwasrao and Akshay Tanksale also hold their ends up, providing smooth comic relief, and skillfully communicating the underlying mistrust and embitterment, which their characters feel towards the apathy of people and the government.

Globalization and the impact it has on our connection with heritage and history forms a central theme in the film. Modernity and change, as projected through this film, come at the cost of forgetting the past. The director, Hemant Dhome, critically intersperses these themes throughout the narrative, making the audience view these issues from a different perspective.

Baghtos Kay Mujra Kar is not just about fort restoration, it is about pride in one’s rich history, and the responsibility of remembering and respecting it. It is an intense criticism of the types of escapism that allow historical neglect. The movie underlines the need for a stronger institutional framework to preserve history and pass it on to subsequent generations while assuring that it is not reduced to mere tokenism.

In conclusion, Baghtos Kay Mujra Kar is a noteworthy film that goes beyond mere storytelling. It enables viewers to ponder the present by reflecting on the past, and in the process, leaves them with thoughts and questions about their role in preserving and valuing their rich historical legacy. It’s a must-watch for not only the lovers of Marathi cinema, but also for those who appreciate meaningful storytelling and the confluence of history with modernity.