Divya Kaushik (BOMBAY TIMES; December 19, 2019)

After their critically acclaimed 2006 film Omkara, Ajay Devgn and Saif Ali Khan are again coming together for Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior. However, their first outing together was the 1999 film Kachche Dhaage. Recently, Saif and Ajay were in Delhi, along with the team of Tanhaji, including Kajol, director Om Raut and producer Bhushan Kumar, to launch the second trailer of the film.

When Ajay and Saif were asked how it was to be back together on screen, the two replied in unison, “Hum ab bade ho gaye hain!” Ajay shared, “We were worse than kids when we worked together in our first film, we were slightly better in Omkara and now we have improved a lot. Ab hum bachche nahi hain.” He added, “Hamari last film mein Saif ne itna achcha kaam kiya tha, toh phir kaam karna toh banta tha.”

At the event, Ajay also announced that he is coming up with a franchise, The Unsung Warriors. “With Tanhaji, we are starting a franchise on unsung warriors. This is the first film in that (franchise). We would like to make films about warriors who have done so much for the country, but have been forgotten,” said Ajay. He added that through the franchise, he will be focusing on warriors, who are well known only in certain parts of India, but had fought for the nation. “In Maharashtra, everyone knows about Tanhaji, but people in the North might not know much about him. But he fought for this nation. So the idea of this franchise is to honour the warriors and let the world know about their sacrifices. We have had great heroes and warriors and they can be an inspiration for all of us if we bring their stories out,” said Ajay.

‘THE TECHNICIANS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB’
Saif said that when he saw the second trailer on the big screen, it left him surprised. “I haven’t seen anything like this. It’s incredible. All this has been done by Indian technicians who have been working round the clock, and this is a remarkable achievement,” said Saif.

‘WOMEN WHO SUPPORT THEIR MEN TO FIGHT FOR THEIR COUNTRY DESERVE A LOT’
Kajol said, “I think that women who support their men to go out and fight for their country deserve a lot. They are unsung heroes. Savitri Malusare (her character) is somebody I deeply admire. There is such an innate strength in Savitri, undiluted and pure, I respect that.”