Shivaji Jayanti (also known as Shiv Jayanti) commemorates the incredible valor and courage of the great Maratha Emperor, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
If you have even a brief idea about India's glorious history, you would know that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was unmatched in his achievements, and none across the ages has been able to come close to his legacy. The indomitable spirit that defined him, along with the unbelievable valor and leadership skills that he had, continues to inspire leaders worldwide.
Born on February 19, 1630, Shivaji was the founder of the Maratha Empire who dared to stand up against the mighty Mughals and formed the genesis of the Indian independence movement. As a leader, he ignited a sense of unity among his people and implemented innovative administrative reforms in his empire. On the other hand, he pioneered the concept of guerilla war tactics which is still used today.
It comes as no surprise that Shivaji has been the subject of several films and television series over the years. And several actors have portrayed the legendary emperor on the screen, keeping him alive in our culture. Today, on the occasion ofShivaji Jayanti (commemorating the birth anniversary of the revered Maratha king), let’s have a look at some of them.
While Sharad Kelkar has played numerous roles over the years, none has given him as much recognition as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 'Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior' (2020). He totally nailed his role, bringing the ideology and strength of Shivaji to a wider audience. And it's not just the physical appearance, he delved deep into the character's psyche as well, resonating with the viewers on a different level.
Speaking about playing the role, Kelkar once shared in an interview, "We did a look test, and when I came to the office in that attire, everybody went quiet. Then I realized they were looking at me. That gave me a lot of confidence. For a Maharashtrian, Marathi actor, this role is once in a lifetime. It’s the biggest achievement."
The renowned actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar appeared as Shivaji in the 2009 film 'Me Shivajiraje Bhosle Boltoy'. He portrayed the iconic Maratha emperor with enormous conviction, capturing both his valor and compassion. Also, unlike other portrayals, he made Shivaji look humane on the screen, and focused more on his ideologies.
The depth and authenticity with which he played Shivaji is an inspiration for every budding actor. His performance added another layer of emotional weight to the film.
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar appeared as Shivaji in Mahesh Manjrekar's Marathi film 'Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat'. Sharing his look as the Maratha emperor on social media, he wrote, "Aaj Marathi film Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat ki shooting karrahahoon, jisme Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ji ki bhoomikakarpaana mere liyesaubhagya hain. Mein unkejeevan se prerna le kar aur maa Jijaukeashirwad se meraprayaskaroonga. Aashirwadbanayerakhiyega (today I begin the shoot of the Marathi film Vedat Marathe Veer Daudale Sat in which I am blessed to be able to play the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ji. I will try to take inspiration from his life as well as the blessings of Mother Jijau for it! Send us your blessings)."
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On the other hand, he shared in an interview, "It's a dream come true role for me. I think portraying Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the big screen is a huge responsibility."
Besides these actors, the list also includes Amol Kolhe (Raja Shivchatrapati), Chinmay Mandlekar (Farzand), and Paras Arora (Veer Shivaji) among others.
