Will continue protest: Awhad; Sambhajiraje to meet CM Shinde

Awhad said Chhatrapati Shivaji was a human being who rose to become an idol. "...he was not God...He rose to become the idol of Maharashtra but the movie depicts him in a different light."

Jitendra Awhad, Marathi movie Har Har Mahadev, Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, Mumbai news, Maharashtra, Indian Express, current affairs

Jitendra Awhad. (File)

NCP LEADER and former minister Jitendra Awhad said on Sunday that he would continue to oppose Marathi movie Har Har Mahadev but would not stop its screening in theatres even as Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, said he would seek the intervention of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to stop screening across the state. Awhad was arrested on Friday and later released on bail on Saturday for stalling the screening of the movie at a Thane mall.

He had said the movie “distorted the Maratha history”. Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati had first opposed the movie, pointing out “distortion of historical facts” in it at a press conference in Kolhapur.

Speaking to The Indian Express on Sunday, Awhad said, “The movie is filled with distortion of facts. I am not objecting to one or two scenes but to several of them. In one scene, Baji Prabhu is shown wielding a sword at Chhatrapati Shivaji. This is ridiculous. Words like Marathas and Marathis are used as if they are two different entities. Marathas and Marathis are same. It was Shivaji Maharaj who brought all castes under one roof…”

Awhad said Chhatrapati Shivaji was a human being who rose to become an idol. “…he was not God…He rose to become the idol of Maharashtra but the movie depicts him in a different light.”

On whether he would again stop the screening of the movie, Awhad said, “I have done my job by bringing to light how a movie is trying to create a wrong impression on young minds…I will not be stopping its screening…But I want to know from Maratha leaders and the community whether they are okay with such distortion of the life and times of Shivaji Maharaj.”

The NCP also said they will continue to agitate against the screening of the movie anywhere in the state. “We will continue to hold agitations against it,” party’s state chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said.

Meanwhile, Sambhajiraje said he will seek the intervention of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to pull down the movie from across theatres in the state.

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“…In the name of cinematic liberty, the makers of the movie have gone to extreme lengths. Some of the characters in the movie are depicted in such a way that [it seems like] an attempt to make a mockery of the Shivaji era… it is all distortion of historical facts. Marathi is a language and Marathas was not a caste. During Chhatrapati Shivaji’s time, Marathas included people from all castes and creed,” he said.

Sambhajiraje said he will most likely meet both Shinde and Fadnavis on November 16. “I will urge them to stop the screening of the movie. If this is done, other filmmakers will be extra careful in handling history related to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj which is an inspiration for future generations,” he said.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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