Pawankhind is a 2022 Indian Marathi-language period drama action film directed by Digpal Lanjekar and produced under the banner of Almonds Creations in association with A A Films. The film based on the life of Maratha warrior, Baji Prabhu Deshpande, stars Chinmay Mandlekar, Mrinal Kulkarni, Ajay Purkar, Sameer Dharmadhikari, along with Ankit Mohan, Prajakta Mali and Kshitee Jog in supporting roles.
It's the third movie in an eight movie series on Maratha Empire. After Farzand and Fatteshikast, Digpal Lanjekar announced this third film on unsung Maratha heroes. It was followed by the film Sher Shivraj.
The film begins in 1674 with the Shivaji (Chinmay Mandlekar) telling story of Battle of Pavan Khind to Sambhaji (Stavan Shinde). The plot frequently switches flashback to 1660.
Badi Begum (Kshitee Jog) asked everyone ‘’Who has dare to kill Shivaji’’? then Siddi Johar (Sameer Dharmadhikari) came into the kingdom & said "I have dare to kill Shivaji". Badi Begum gives him a chance to prove himself on one condition. If he kills Shivaji she will give him a post in Bijapur Sultanate & If he is unsuccessful in killing Shivaji , she will kill him.
At that time Shivaji was encamped at Panhala fort with his forces. Siddi Johar's army besieged the fort of Panhala and cut off the supply of routes to the fort. During the bombardment of Panhala, Siddi Johar purchased grenades from the English at Rajapur & hired some English personalities in their force.
Shivaji gave order to Bahirji Naik (Harish Dudhade) to search a secret road of Vishalgad in order to escape. Bahirji found the road and Shivaji escaped from Panhala by cover of night but here they create a Shivaji's look alike Shiva Kashid (Ajinkya Nanaware), a barber by profession sending him for the meeting with Siddi Johar. Shiva Kashid went to Siddi Johar but when Fazal Khan recognized him , Siddi killed Shiva Kashid.
Here Adilshah's army was in pursuit with an army of 10,000. Then, Shivaji decided to split his forces. Baji Prabhu Deshpande (Ajay Purkar) agreed to face Adilshah's troops with 300 soldiers. Shivaji told him that he would hear cannons being fired 5 times, signaling Shivaji's safety.
Baji Prabhu occupied Ghodkhind, blocking the path of Adilshah troops. His brother, Fulaji, Rayaji Bandal, Shambusingh Jadhav, Aginya were present with him. Fulaji, Aginya, Rayaji and Shambusingh were killed after fierce fight. Baji Prabhu were wounded but carried on fighting at Ghodkhind. Five hours after starting the battle, the cannons were fired announcing that Shivaji safely returned to Vishalgad.
The plot frequently switches to 1674. Shivaji renamed Ghodkhind to Pawankind in honour of the sacrifices of the 300 Maratha troops.
Watched this movie for learning Marathi. This movie shows how Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has contributed towards What we are today. However it was great to see showing immense valuable contribution of other brave hearts who believed in our maharaj’s vision. Truely amazing.
Powerfull film. All cast established as per story and remind me those thrillers. Blood was warm which give feeling of how empire of Shivaji maharaj developed