'He Eats Iron Nails for Breakfast and Blood for Juice', a Biopic film on Tanaji Malusare

August 02: A new film on the biography of the legendary warrior Tanaji Malusare is on board. The film has been scheduled to release by 2019. ‘Taanaji - the Unsung Warrior’, is an action movie wherein Ajay Devgan will be playing the lead role. It is a Bhushan Kumar’s T-series production and directed by Om Raut. It is made under Viacom 18 motion picture.

This is a story of a Maratha warrior, who threw a memorable impression during the reign of Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, by scaling an unconquerable fort with the help of his pet monitor lizard, Yashwanti, and defeating the Mughals in the great Battle of Singhagad.

The film will go on floors on September 25, 2018, after Devgan wraps up Akiv Ali’s romantic comedy ‘De De Pyaar De’.

'He Eats Iron Nails for Breakfast and Blood for Juice', the Koli military leader in the Maratha Empire, Taanaji Malusare, fought alongside Maratha leader Shivaji in various battles throughout the year. He is most famously known for his role in the battle of Singhagad in 1670 AD. Apart from being Shivaji’s army superior General, Tanaji was also his closest friend.

The Battle of Singhagah took place in 1665 AD. At that time, the Treaty of Purandar required Shivaji to give up the Maratha fort Kondhana to the Mughals, which is located near Pune. Kondhana was one of the most heavily fortified and strategically placed during that time. It was garrisoned thereafter, by Rajputs, Arabs and Pathan troop guards of the Mughal, such that it was all impenetrable. The vary commander at the helm of it was Udaybhan rathod, appointed by Mughal Army chief Jai Singh I. The idea of Mughals taking control of the fort was deeply disturbing and enraging to Shivaji’s mother Rajmata Jijabai. The conquest was considered virtually impossible, but her decision was made.

Upon knowing that her wish was unrelenting and set in stone, Shivaji entrusted Taanaji, the only man he could think of capable of finishing this dangerous mission to reconquer the fort Kondhana, at any cost. Then Taanaji rallied his troops of 1000 mavals and marched towards the fort in February 1670.

The fort had only two doors. The siege by Taanaji’s men was laid from the south side of the fort, where there was only a deep cliff and no guards. According to legend, Taanaji had brought along with his pet ghorpad, or monitor lizard, that can cling to rocks. Rope was tied around it and the lizard was made to climb up the cliff, which set the ropes for the soldiers to climb.

The Maratha surprise attack was immediately responded to by outnumbering enemy forces, but Taanaji wasn’t the one to accept failure. Just like mission impossible by this braveheart, a historic sword fight took place between Rathore and Taanaji. The two bravehearts clashed for a long while and it ended with Malusare losing his life. Enraged by the death of their general, the Marathas fought under the leadership of his brother, Suryaji Malusare, and vanquished the enemy.

The director, Om Raut, is an Indian Film Director, writer & producer. He is best known for directing critically and commercially successful film ‘Lokmanya Ek Yug purush’ in 2015, which won him a Filmfare Award for the Best Debut Director.

The film starred highly acclaimed Marathi star Subodh Bhave. Om Raut has also produced films like City of Gold (2010 Film) and Haunted- 3D, which was India's first stereoscopic 3D film. At present, Om is working on a magnum opus period-action film, titled 'Taanaji-The Unsung warrior', starring Ajay Devgan.The film is slated to release in 2019.

‘Lokmanya: Ek Yug Purush’ is a 2015 Marathi- Language biopic directed by Om Raut and produced by Neena Raut Entertainment. The film is based on the life story of Bal Gangadhar Tilak - a social reformer and the freedom fighter of the Indian Independence Movement. The film stars Subhodh Bhave, Chinmay Mandlekar, Priya Bapat in pivotal roles. Subodh Bhave played the title role of Indian nationalist and social reformer Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The film is directorial debut of Om Raut and is produced by Neena Raut. The screenplay is written by Om Raut and Kaustubh Savarkar and the music is composed by duo Ajit-Sameer.