The Good Maharaja
| The Good Maharaja | |
|---|---|
 First look poster | |
| Directed by | Vikash Verma |
| Written by | Hitesh Desai |
| Produced by | G7 Films Poland |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Hariharan |
Production company | G7 Films Poland |
Release date | unreleased |
| Countries | India Poland |
| Languages | Hindi English Polish |
| Budget | ₹400 crore (US$48 million)[1] |
The Good Maharaja (transl. The Good King) is an unreleased Indo-Polish war epic film directed by Vikash Verma, and produced by G7 Films Poland. The film stars Sanjay Dutt in the title role of Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, the Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar (now Jamnagar, Gujarat, India).[2][1][3] The film also features Dhruv Verma in lead role,[4] while Deepraj Rana, Gulshan Grover and Sharad Kapoor in supporting roles.[5]
Principal photography began on 21 February 2020, with the scenes of the film being shot in 3 languages: Hindi, English and Polish.[2] The film was produced on a budget of ₹400 crore (US$48 million).[1]
Casts
- Sanjay Dutt as Maharaja Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja[2]
- Dhruv Verma as a soldier and sniper[2]
- Deepraj Rana[5]
- Gulshan Grover[5]
- Sharad Kapoor[5]
Production
Principal photography began on 21 February 2020, with the scenes of the film being shot in 3 languages: Hindi, English and Polish. The shooting of the film was interrupted due to COVID-19 pandemic.[2] The film is set during the time of World War II.[6][7] The film was expected to be shot in London, Russia, Poland and India.[1]
Shiamak Davar has served as the choreographer, while film's music and background score has been composed by Hariharan.[5]
Controversy
The Good Maharaja is based on Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, the Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, Gujarat, who, in the pre-Independence era, provided refuge and education to around 1,000 Polish children evacuated from the Union of soviet socialist republics (USSR) to escape German bombings during World War II.[8]
The film was originally supposed to be made by Omung Kumar of Legend Studios. After the release of the first look, the daughters of Maharaja Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji sent a cease and desist notice to the makers, Omung Kumar and Sandeep Singh; co-owners of Legend Studios. The legal representative of the daughters claimed, "The Maharaja was a public figure and if the facts are distorted, it will tarnish his image. Hence our clients have objection to the film, as no permission is sought from them." Sandeep Singh argued that no permission needed from the heirs of the Maharaja, and went on that "this legal action against the film is only an attempt to seek publicity by the Maharaja's family". Singh said that the story of the Maharaja is in the public domain.[9][10][11] After that, Vikash Verma took over the film as the director.[5][2]
References
- ^ a b c d "The Good Maharaja: Dhruv Verma of Patna, who returned to action, will again make a comeback in this film being made for Rs 400 crores". My India News. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "A Second Indo-Polish Film and War Epic all set to smash the Box Office". Mid-Day. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ Bhandari, Kabir Singh; Bhagat, Shama (7 March 2021). "Filmmaker Vikash Verma's 'No Means No', is the first-ever Indo-Polish co-production". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ "'The Good Maharaja' slated for October 18, 2024 release". ANI News. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Rupal S. (2 August 2021). "Dhruv Verma, all set for second film, 'The Good Maharaja'". Mid-Day. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ "Parth Upadhyay to start preparing for next project, The Good Maharaja". The Tribune. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ "Dhruv Verma's The Good Maharaja, to release on 17 December 2022". Lokmat English. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ Mishra, Lalatendu (25 January 2021). "Indo-Polish action thriller aims to rekindle bilateral ties". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ Coutinho, Natasha (8 November 2017). "Sanjay Dutt opts out of Omung Kumar's biopic of Maharaja of Nawanagar". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
- ^ "Sanjay Dutt's film The Good Maharaja embroiled in legal trouble". India Today. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
- ^ "The Good Maharaja: Gujarat ruler's daughters send notice to Omung Kumar over Sanjay Dutt-starrer-Entertainment News". Firstpost. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
