‘Khalid Ke Shivaji’ movie review: Raj Pritam More’s partly effective drama blends history with plea for plurality
The film 'Khalid Ke Shivaji' explores the legacy of the Maratha king Shivaji through the perspective of a young Muslim boy navigating identity and historical narratives. The movie attempts to promote social harmony and plurality despite facing controversy and censorship during its release.
Why it matters
The film serves as a cultural commentary on how historical figures are utilized in contemporary socio-political discourse and the challenges of artistic expression in a polarized climate.
How does one deconstruct a monumental personality from the past without turning their life into a praise song? When it comes to the Maratha king, Shivaji, popular culture has often cast a mythological outlook while imagining his life and times with little resonance on the memory he leaves behind in contemporary socio-politics. Even in the recently released, Raja Shivaji , the king remained stuck in a glorified past that recollected more of his battle conquests than the cultural zeitgeist which he shaped. Director Raj Pritam More understands this as he humanises the warrior while exploring the contrasting nature of his legacy, all through the innocent eyes of a child in his feel-good Marathi feature, Khalid Ke Shivaji .
The review provides a balanced critique of the film's artistic merits and its thematic engagement with sensitive cultural topics.
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