After Farzand, Hirkani and Fatteshikast, Paavan Khind to hit theatres in Diwali 2020

With a slew of historical films featuring Maratha warriors hitting the theatres in the past couple of years, a film about the legendary battle of Pavankhind could not have been far behind.

Now, the makers of Aani... Dr Kashinath Ghanekar (2018) have announced a film on the hero of the battle, Baji Prabhu Deshpande, which will arrive in theatres on Diwali 2020. 

Director Abhijeet Deshpande shared the first look of the film's poster on his social media page. 'Death keeps no calendar. But not when Baji keeps watch. This is the story of iron warriors Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Veer Shivaji. And a night that changed Maratha history,' wrote Deshpande.

The film, written and directed by Abhijeet Deshpande, will be produced jointly by Shree Ganesh Marketing & Films and Dark Prince Pictures.

Based on the story of Maratha general Baji Prabhu Deshpande, the film is likely to dwell on the gallant rearguard action he fought with a small band of dedicated warriors at a narrow mountain pass in the Western Ghats near Panhala fort in modern-day Kolhapur district in 1660.

As Shivaji escaped with the main body of his troops from the besieged Panhala to the Mughal-held fort of Vishalgadh, Baji Prabhu and his men had to keep the pursuing Adilshahi forces led by Siddi Masud engaged at Ghodkhind, or Horse Pass, long enough for the king to reach safety.

Battling overwhelming odds against a force of nearly 10,000, every member of Baji Prabhu's detachment, including the general, fell, but not before Shivaji had reached the safety of Vishalgadh and fired the cannon to announce his arrival.

The valley where Baji Prabhu and his men gave their lives for their king was renamed Pavankhind, or Sacred Pass.

The casting of actors for the lead roles is not known yet.