Phule director Ananth Mahadevan kicks off Marathi biopic on social leader Tukdoji Maharaj

(L-R) Director Ananth Mahadevan and actor Prasad Oak

Only a year after helming Phule (2025), director Ananth Mahadevan is bringing the tale of another social leader, Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj, to the big screen. On March 9, the director kicked off his Marathi biopic, Khanjiriche Bol, which sees actor Prasad Oak step into Maharaj's shoes.

Speaking to mid-day from his shoot in Kolhapur, Mahadevan shared, "The film will depict how Tukdoji Maharaj overcame a traumatic childhood, then marshalled the villages of Maharashtra to [bring about] social equality and rural revolution. He steered the country towards a progressive outlook."

Active from 1937 till his demise in 1968, the leader worked towards rural upliftment and education, even writing the book Gramgeeta. He also aimed for the eradication of untouchability. While Khanjiriche Bol - that is being produced by Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation along with Shivam and Kartikee Yadav - will focus on his social messages, the director added that it will also touch upon the leader's friendship with Mahatma Gandhi. "Tukdoji Maharaj stood by Gandhiji in the fight against untouchability. Gandhiji helped Tukdoji in enabling the Dalits to enter the Vitthal Temple in Pandharpur in October 1947."

Did you know?

Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, had bestowed the title ‘Rashtrasant' on Tukdoji Maharaj