Jul 09, 2026 10:30am IST
Vikram Malhotra To Produce Rajesh Mapuskar’s Film on Maratha Naval Commander Kanhojiraje Angre (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety India has learned that director Rajesh Mapuskar is all set to commence his next project, an ambitious film titled “Angre,” in collaboration with Abundantia Entertainment. The epic will chronicle the life of the legendary Sarkhel Kanhojiraje Angre, the undefeated Admiral of the Maratha Navy who, for over four decades, kept the western seas of India protected against the combined might of the British and Portuguese invaders. The film marks the second association between the National Award-winning director and Abundantia, following “Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal.”
Sarkhel Kanhojiraje Angre stands as one of the most formidable naval commanders in Indian history, a figure who carried forward the maritime vision first set in motion by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. From his headquarters at ‘Kolaba,’ he commanded a warrior fleet that defended the Konkan coast and humbled European naval powers on the high seas. He asserted the sovereignty of the Maratha empire over the waters of the Indian Ocean - a legacy the Indian Navy honors to this day. He was undefeated till the end and remained a committed and devout follower of the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
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Vikram Malhotra, Founder & CEO, Abundantia Entertainment, says, “There are few stories as important yet as under-explored as that of Sarkhel Kanhojiraje Angre’s, and bringing it to cinematic scale is a matter of pride and honor for Abundantia. The younger generation, in particular, deserves to know the scale of Sarkhel Kanhojiraje’s contribution to our history. Telling this story with Rajesh Mapuskar at the helm makes it even more special. His craft, his command over grand, large-canvas storytelling, and his rootedness in Maratha culture and history make him the perfect collaborator for this. Today, we embark on a journey to take the story of one of India's most heroic warriors to audiences across the world."
Director Rajesh Mapuskar, who has directed films like “Ferrari Ki Sawaari” (2012), “Ventilator” (2016), “Yek Number” (2024), and web shows “Rudra: The Edge of Darkness” (2022) and “Real Kashmir Football Club” (2025), adds, “Sarkhel Kanhojiraje guarded the very shores I was born and raised on. I've carried the desire to tell his story for years now, and it deserves nothing less than the largest screen and the fullest emotion from every Indian who watches it. Teaming up with Vikram and Abundantia for this important story is special. Their commitment to fearless, large-scale storytelling is precisely what a film of this magnitude needs, and I couldn't have found a better home for it. Today, after extensive research, we begin the next phase, the writing of the film, and I look forward to an exciting journey together."
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