‘Dhasal’, a biopic on the life of the Dalit Panther Movement leader, Namdev Dhasal!
A lot of biopic films are in the offing and there’s one more addition in the form of a movie, ‘#Dhasal’. A rebel poet and the founder of #DalitPantherMovement, #NamdevDhasal’s life will be on big screen now #TheBioscopeFilms has officially acquired the production rights of a book ‘Dhasal’, from Namdev Dhasal’s family.
Sanjay Pandey is the producer of this magnificent film. On this occasion, Sanjay Pandey said, “Padmashri Namdev Dhasal was synonimous with storm. A panther with the fire of rebellion in words, the first poet to globalize the literature of Maharashtra, who gave life to Dalit society suffering from oppression and injustice. His biography is like a burning torch. The Dalit Panther had created a political and social storm in the entire country of Maharashtra. Filming his life is my privilege and challenge as a producer. It will be a celebration for Padmashri Namdev Dhasal’s fans, students and activists from all over the country.”
Writer and director Varuna Rana expressed the importance of the film. She said, “Some things must be told because they make us think. Dhasal’s life is one such story. Born in Maharwada, a village, and raised in Kamathipura, Mumbai, Dhasal made a global mark with his poetry. He tirelessly fought for the rights of Dalits and the poor through rebellious poetry. Dhasal was a powerful, provocative thought more than a person and I found this thought challenging, so as a film director I will continue to prioritize him as his thoughts are timeless.”
Namdev Dhasal’s wife Mallika Amar Sheikh reacted to this. She said, “Namdev’s comprehensiveness, wisdom, poetry and great warmth towards people can be seen in his film Dhasal. In this film, not only Namdev but his whole life along with the revolutionary situation of that time, the politics of that time, the full Dalit panther movement will stand the account of the entire society. My best wishes to Varunaji for her ambition to make a film on the life of a great folk hero and a big salute to his scholarly efforts and passion.”
Produced by Sanjay Pandey, written and directed by Varuna Rana, with dialogues by Pratap Gangawane, the biopic will portray Dhasal’s struggle against injustice and exploitation realistically. The production of the film will begin in September 2024 and the film will release in 2025.