Tanhaji trailer launch live: Tanhaji is directed by Om Raut.
The trailer launch of Ajay Devgn starrer Tanhaji is being held in Mumbai. Set during the 17th century, the film also stars Saif Ali Khan, Kajol, Sharad Kelkar, Luke Kenny and Padmavati Rao among others.
Tanhaji marks the 100th feature film of Ajay Devgn who made his debut with Phool Aur Kaante in 1991. The movie also marks the fourth project featuring Ajay and Saif. The two have earlier appeared in Kachche Dhaage, LOC Kargil and Omkara. Tanhaji is directed by Om Raut who is making his Hindi film debut with the period drama. He has earlier directed Marathi film Lokmanya Ek Yug Purush.
While Ajay Devgn plays the titular role, Saif Ali Khan plays Udaybhan Rathore. The story revolves around Fort Kandhana that led to the Battle of Singhagad. Tanhaji was the trusted close aide of Chhatrapati Shivaji who had to give up the fort to the Mughals as per the Treaty of Purandar. The fort was later renamed as Singhagad to honour Shivaji.
Produced by Ajay Devgn and T-Series, Tanhaji releases on January 10, 2020.
"I don't think the two films should be compared. Both the films are very different from each other and have different stories," says Ajay Devgn.
"You have to be very careful and honest to the history so that if tomorrow someone questions us, we can say that we did follow history," says Ajay Devgn.
"I am very happy about this film and the way it has been mounted. This looks so good. I wasn't sure. I wasn't sure about 3D and VFX. But this is fantastic," says Saif Ali Khan.
"I never thought that I would reach 100 films. But the hard work that I put in my 99th film, I put the same in my 100th, and I will do the same in 101st," says Ajay Devgn.
"Kareena is very fond of Ajay, so she knew we would have a lot of fun. She was very happy that I was doing this film," says Saif Ali Khan.
"I researched a lot. I bought Amar Chitrakatha to research about the character. Udaybhan has a very lovely role and an important part. If you have to mention Tanhaji's story, you have to mention Udaybhan," says Saif Ali Khan.
"I didn't feel any difference because it felt like we were at home. We are the same at home and in front of everyone else," says Ajay Devgn.
"The first time we met on the set of Tanhaji, I felt nothing much changed. Maybe we became more mature. He is such a generous actor. There has never been any insecurity from his side. I have always had the best time working with him. I have had the best roles when I have worked with him. He is a competitive actor and filmmaker," says Saif Ali Khan.
"The most important thing was to maintain the dignity of the character. We did our research, and I relied on our director and his research," says Ajay Devgn.
"I had so much fun doing this film. This was such a comfortable shoot. The director focused a lot on me. We would do 15-20 takes. We improvised a lot. So, to get such an opportunity is also huge," says Saif Ali Khan.
"We took inspiration from a lot of paintings. We got Prakash Kapadia, and then we started writing in 2015. We spent a lot of time in getting everything right about the era of 1670," says Tanhaji director Om Raut.
"I had a dream that we should be able to make films at par with Hollywood films. We have technicians and even though we have lesser technology in comparison to Hollywood, our crew is extremely hardworking," says Ajay Devgn.
"When you play a character like Tanhaji, you have a lot of responsibility to play it authentically. There's a lot of hard work required for stunts and Rohit knows that I have suffered from injuries, but it's okay. I did what had to be done," says Ajay Devgn.
"I am so happy to be a part of Ajay's 100th film. The last time we came together (Omkara), you all loved us. Ajay has so much love for his films. This film is an incredible achievement, in terms of technical finesse and unique passion," says Saif Ali Khan.