Dashavatar (2025 film): Difference between revisions

 

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| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2025|09|12}}

| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2025|09|12}}

| budget = {{INR|5–12.50 crore}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-22 |title=Dashavatar: ‘जॉली एलएलबी 3’ के लिए मुसीबत बना 82 साल का ये एक्टर, पिक्चर ने तोड़े कमाई के रिकॉर्ड |url=https://www.tv9hindi.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/dashavatar-82-year-old-dilip-prabhavalkar-gandhi-from-munnabhai-film-gives-tough-to-akshay-kumar-jolly-llb-3-3493254.html |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=TV9 Bharatvarsh |language=hi}}</ref><ref name=”:5″ />

| budget = {{INR|5–12.50 crore}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-22 |title=Dashavatar: ‘जॉली एलएलबी 3’ के लिए मुसीबत बना 82 साल का ये एक्टर, पिक्चर ने तोड़े कमाई के रिकॉर्ड |url=https://www.tv9hindi.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/dashavatar-82-year-old-dilip-prabhavalkar-gandhi-from-munnabhai-film-gives-tough-to-akshay-kumar-jolly-llb-3-3493254.html |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=TV9 Bharatvarsh |language=hi}}</ref><ref name=”:5″ />

| gross = ₹27.73 crore<ref name=”:6″ />

| gross = ₹27. crore<ref name=”:6″ />

| country = India

| country = India

| language = Marathi

| language = Marathi

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””’Dashavatar””’ is a 2025 Indian [[Marathi language|Marathi]]-language [[suspense thriller]] film directed by Subodh Khanolkar and produced by Ocean Film Company and Ocean Art House.<ref>{{Cite web |last=शिकलगार |first=स्वालिया न |date=2025-07-02 |title=Dilip Prabhavalkar Dashavatar {{!}} कोकणच्या लाल मातीत रुजलेला ‘दशावतार’ येतोय |url=https://pudhari.news/soneri/actor-dilip-prabhavalkar-dashavatar-kokan-marathi-movie-ss88 |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Pudhari News |language=mr}}</ref> The film features [[Dilip Prabhavalkar]], [[Bharat Jadhav]], [[Mahesh Manjrekar]], [[Siddharth Menon (actor)|Siddharth Menon]], [[Abhinay Berde]], and [[Priyadarshini Indalkar]] in the leading roles.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-02 |title=पोस्टरमधल्या मराठी अभिनेत्याला ओळखलं का? महात्मा गांधींची भूमिका साकारून मिळवली लोकप्रियता |url=https://news18marathi.com/entertainment/dilip-prabhavalkar-film-dashavatar-to-release-on-september-12-ws-l-1426783.html |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=news18marathi.com |language=mr}}</ref> The film follows an ageing [[Dashavatara|Dashavatāra]] performer whose final play turns into a spiritual and cultural battle, blending myth with reality to explore sacrifice, faith, and the struggle to protect heritage and nature.<ref name=”:4″ />

””’Dashavatar””’ is a 2025 Indian [[Marathi language|Marathi]]-language [[suspense thriller]] film directed by Subodh Khanolkar and produced by Ocean Film Company and Ocean Art House.<ref>{{Cite web |last=शिकलगार |first=स्वालिया न |date=2025-07-02 |title=Dilip Prabhavalkar Dashavatar {{!}} कोकणच्या लाल मातीत रुजलेला ‘दशावतार’ येतोय |url=https://pudhari.news/soneri/actor-dilip-prabhavalkar-dashavatar-kokan-marathi-movie-ss88 |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Pudhari News |language=mr}}</ref> The film features [[Dilip Prabhavalkar]], [[Bharat Jadhav]], [[Mahesh Manjrekar]], [[Siddharth Menon (actor)|Siddharth Menon]], [[Abhinay Berde]], and [[Priyadarshini Indalkar]] in the leading roles.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-02 |title=पोस्टरमधल्या मराठी अभिनेत्याला ओळखलं का? महात्मा गांधींची भूमिका साकारून मिळवली लोकप्रियता |url=https://news18marathi.com/entertainment/dilip-prabhavalkar-film-dashavatar-to-release-on-september-12-ws-l-1426783.html |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=news18marathi.com |language=mr}}</ref> The film follows an ageing [[Dashavatara|Dashavatāra]] performer whose final play turns into a spiritual and cultural battle, blending myth with reality to explore sacrifice, faith, and the struggle to protect heritage and nature.<ref name=”:4″ />

The film was theatrically released on 12 September 2025. The film received positive response from critics, grossed over ₹27.73 crore at the box office and emerged as [[List of Marathi films of 2025#Box office collection|highest grossing Marathi film of 2025]].<ref name=”:6″ />

The film was theatrically released on 12 September 2025. The film received positive response from critics, grossed over ₹27. crore at the box office and emerged as [[List of Marathi films of 2025#Box office collection|highest grossing Marathi film of 2025]].<ref name=”:6″ />

== Plot ==

== Plot ==

2025 Marathi film by Subodh Khanolkar

Dashavatar is a 2025 Indian Marathi-language suspense thriller film directed by Subodh Khanolkar and produced by Ocean Film Company and Ocean Art House.^[4] The film features Dilip Prabhavalkar, Bharat Jadhav, Mahesh Manjrekar, Siddharth Menon, Abhinay Berde, and Priyadarshini Indalkar in the leading roles.^[5] The film follows an ageing Dashavatāra performer whose final play turns into a spiritual and cultural battle, blending myth with reality to explore sacrifice, faith, and the struggle to protect heritage and nature.^[6]

The film was theatrically released on 12 September 2025. The film received positive response from critics, grossed over ₹27.78 crore at the box office and emerged as highest grossing Marathi film of 2025.^[3]

In the Konkan region of Maharashtra, veteran Dashavtari performer Babuli Mestri (Dilip Prabhavalkar) has dedicated his entire life to preserving the traditional theatre form of Dashavatār. Despite advancing age and failing eyesight, he stubbornly continues to perform, earning both ridicule and affection from the villagers, who call him “half mad”. His son Madhav (Siddharth Menon) worries about his health and urges him to retire, but Babuli promises to step away once Madhav secures stable employment.

When Madhav finally gets a job, Babuli agrees to deliver one last performance during the Mahashivratri festival, while Madhav plans to propose to his girlfriend Vandana (Priyadarshini Indalkar) on the same day. However, the night takes an unexpected turn when Babuli, in the middle of the play, appears to embody the fierce Rudra avatar. This blurs the line between performance and reality, leading him into a struggle that reflects both personal sacrifice and the community’s battle to protect their natural and cultural heritage.

Structured like a traditional Dashavatār play, the narrative begins with a purva-ranga that introduces the cultural and familial context, and builds into an uttar-ranga where myth and present-day conflicts intertwine. Themes of love, faith, sacrifice, revenge and environmental consciousness are woven into Babuli’s journey, emphasising the continued relevance of the Dashavatār tradition as both a spiritual metaphor and a form of resistance in contemporary society.

• Dilip Prabhavalkar as Babuli Mestri^[7]
• Mahesh Manjrekar as Inspector Michael D’Costa
• Siddharth Menon as Madhav Mestri
• Abhinay Berde as Monty Sarmalkar
• Priyadarshini Indalkar as Vandana Soman
• Sunil Tawde as Policeman Parab
• Ravi Kale as Aaba Tandel
• Lokesh Mittal as Mansukhani
• Bharat Jadhav as Laxman Wadekar (Special Appearance)
• Aarti Wadagbalkar as Constable Ujjwala Sawant
• Vijay Kenkre as Cabinet Minister Ashok Sarmalkar
• Guru Thakur as Doctor
• Padmakar Oze as Naik Master
• Satish Joshi as Soman Guruji
• Shweta Kudalkar as Vandana’s mother
• Vaibhavi Pardeshi as Aaba Tandel’s wife
• Akshay Chinchurkar as Young Babuli
• Avaan Prafullachandra as Young Madhav
• Dada Rane Konaskar as Bhajia vendor

Early reports suggested that the lead role in Dashavatar had initially been offered to Rajinikanth, but director Subodh Khanolkar later clarified that these were only rumours.^[8][7][9] According to him, the role of veteran Dashavatar performer Babuli Mestri was conceived specifically for Dilip Prabhavalkar, and had he declined, the project would have been shelved. Khanolkar added that “for me, Dilip Prabhavalkar is no less than Rajinikanth in Marathi cinema.”

The film was shot across multiple locations in the Konkan region, including Kudal, and was completed in 50 days.^[10][11] Khanolkar stated that his vision was to preserve the folk-theatrical essence of Dashavatari plays while making it accessible to modern audiences. To achieve this, the production employed extensive VFX and integrated the traditional performance style with contemporary cinematic techniques.^[12]

The music is composed by AV Prafullachandra and lyrics are penned by Guru Thakur.^[13]

The trailer was released on 18 August 2025.^[14][13]

The film was theatrically released on 12 September 2025.^[10] The premiere event was attended by several notable personalities including Aaditya Thackeray, which gained media attention.^[15]

Dashavatar received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. Critics praised the film’s cultural authenticity, performances and visuals, while pointing to pacing issues and a less impactful second half.

Kalpeshraj Kubal of Maharashtra Times rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, praising its breathtaking cinematography of Konkan’s landscapes and the blend of traditional and modern music. He noted that while A. V. Prafullachandra’s work wasn’t at his usual best, Guru Thakur’s “Rangpuja” stood out as a gem. He concluded that Dashavatar offers a rare, visually rich experience in Marathi cinema, successfully marrying visuals with words.^[16] Mihir Bhanage of The Times of India rated the film 3 out of 5, describing it as a “visual spectacle” that effectively captures Konkan’s scenic beauty, theatre traditions and spiritual beliefs. He praised Dilip Prabhavalkar’s performance, noting his expressive screen presence despite age, while also commending Siddharth Menon and Priyadarshini Indalkar. However, he criticised the lengthy setup, overuse of slow motion and the predictable climax, though he appreciated the environmental message in the ending.^[17]

Lokmat offered a more mixed take, acknowledging the film’s effective use of local dialect, costumes, music and traditions while pointing out its occasional melodramatic tone and uneven pacing. It nevertheless highlighted Prabhavalkar’s portrayal as the film’s standout element.^[18] A review in eSakal commended Subodh Khanolkar’s direction for blending Dashavtari folk theatre with contemporary concerns. It praised the authentic portrayal of Konkan’s natural beauty, the use of VFX and cinematography, and performances by the ensemble cast, particularly Prabhavalkar. While the first half was described as “gripping and engaging,” the review noted that the second half lost some narrative grip, leading to slight disappointment.^[19]

Amol Karhadkar of The Hindu noted that Dashavatar shows how a story grounded in local culture can speak to universal human emotions.^[20] Anupama Gunde of Pudhari highlighted the film’s environmental messaging, noting how it connects Konkan’s threatened ecology with the personal struggles of its protagonist. She praised the performances of Prabhavalkar, Priyadarshini Indalkar and Vijay Kenkre, and concluded that the film succeeds in blending folk art with ecological concerns.^[6]

On its opening day, the film collected ₹65 lakh.^[21] Over the first three days, it grossed more than ₹5.22 crore, marking the biggest opening weekend for a Marathi film in 2025.^[22][23] The film grossed ₹9.25–12 crore in its opening week.^[24][25][26] It collected 15.85 by the second weekend.^[27]

It collected ₹21.3 crore in its second week,^[2] and by the end of the third week, its worldwide gross reached ₹26.43 crore.^[3]

The Stone Age rock carvings spread across nearly 900 kilometers from Ratnagiri to Goa are often seen as the footprints of early human civilization and are now protected monuments. In Ratnagiri district alone, over 1,500 carvings have been found at about 70 sites. An agreement has been signed between the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and the Nisargayatri organization for their preservation and conservation in the Konkan region.^[28]