The Marathi movie Keechak Vadh (meaning the assassination of Keechak) is based on a tale from the Mahabharata. The movie showcases events during the Pandavas’ final year of exile and eventual killing of the central character Keechak. The producer is P K Pathak and direction by Yeshwant Pethkar.
The Plot
After spending 12 years in exile, the Pandavas need to complete the final year in disguise. It means if they are recognized, they will need to repeat the 13 years. They decide to spend the last year in the kingdom of Matsya, ruled by King Viraat. Thus begins the movie. We are introduced to different traits of the Pandavas which will enable them to assume their roles in disguise. For example, Bheema will be a cook, Arjuna a dancer and so on.
On the way to Matsya, they come near a temple in the forest. Next to the temple is a shami tree where they decide to hide their weapons. As they are getting ready to leave, they hear someone approaching and remain hidden in the temple. We are introduced to Senapati Keechak, who is returning to Matsya with his army after winning the kingdom of Trigarta. Soon a horse rider arrives and calls out Keechak. He is Chatur, a spy of Duryodhana on the lookout for the Pandavas. Upon reaching Matsya, the victorious Keechak is greeted and felicitated by the king Viraat and queen Sudeshna (who is Keechak’s sister).
Meanwhile the Pandavas are ready to undertake their fake roles. Through proper planning and posturing, Nakula & Sahadeva become Granthika and Tantipalaa respectively to tend the horses and cattle. Draupadi becomes Sairandhri Malini, Queen Sudeshna’s maid cum beautician. Arjuna too impresses Sudeshna with his dancing skills and becomes the dance teacher Brihannala to princess Uttara. Yudishthira becomes a brahmin Kanka bhat, an advisor and teaches dice to the king. After a dramatic event, Bheema is employed as a cook Ballava in the palace kitchen. Thus all of them settle down to spend one year without detection of their true identities.
Coming back to Keechak. He is the queen’s brother and the real power behind the throne. Even the king is scared to defy him. Brave, ruthless and a womanizer. He crosses paths with the Pandavas when he spots the beautiful Draupadi/Malini and lusts after her. The queen knows Malini is married and saves her initially. But Keechak’s insistence and stubbornness wins. One day Sudeshna sends Malini to get a special drink (madira) from Keechak. Left with no choice, the helpless Malini goes to meet Keechak. But she somehow manages to run away and approaches the king in his court for justice. She appeals to the king but its of no use. The Pandavas too are unable to come to her rescue as they are forced by compulsion to remain silent to protect their identities.
A frustrated Draupadi then meets Bheema and lectures him to teach Keechak a lesson. Bheema agrees inspite of the risk of being recognized. The plan is made. Draupadi plays coy and agrees to meet Keechak in the ntrityashala that night.
Keechak is impressed and arrives for the romantic encounter! Draupadi and Bheema are waiting for him. This leads to a thrilling climax and Keechak is killed by Bheema.
The Music
The movie has 7 songs written by G D Madgulkar and composed by Master Krushnarao. All songs are melodious but the 2 which have attained evergreen status are Asa nesun shalu hirva (by Sudhir Phadke and Lata Mangeshkar) and Dhund madhumati raat re (Lata Mangeshkar).
My Thoughts
The story is straightforward. Inspite being a mythological, there are no special effects or rather this story does not have the scope for special effects! The sets look rich. The main characters played by known faces Sumati Gupte, Shobhna Samarth and Baburao Pendharkar are adequate. But the acting may seem dramatic at times.
There are some unwanted songs and a couple of unnecessary sequences. One is a south Indian dance performance and other is a long wrestling competition scene involving Bheema. The ending is a bit abrupt and we don’t know what happens to the Pandavas after Keechak’s assassination and whether they complete the exile successfully.
Cine Gaurav 
No doubt it was Bheema who came to rescue as only he had the might to fight powerful Keechaka…
There’s an interesting quote by Draupadi at the end of Mahabharta when the Pandavas began climbing the mountain of death. Draupadi was the first to collapse and here too , Bheema was the person who reached out to make her comfortable in death.
” Bheema, please be the eldest among Pandavas and protect me in next life…” were her last words . With this comment, she not only showed that though Arjuna won her over in swayamvar, it was Bheema whom she had grown fondness for , over the years . She no doubt hated how each pandav sought permission of the eldest brother Yudhishthira ( epitome of Dharma ) even while performing an act of protecting their wife.
Seeta suffered in Ramayana…Draupadi suffered in Mahabharta… Husbands who were brave, justice-personified kings for the masses could do nothing for their wives … Sad , but true.
Dhundh madhumati…set in raaga BHOOP continues being an absolutely awesome composition. Dir dir tanom tanana dere na…another antara gets my bow too.
Thank you for bringing forth this epic movie with beautiful songs. Of course, there was melodrama way back then…as actors were a bit over actors !!! Yet , better than those who don’t act and remain blank under the pretext of realistic acting.
Well done Gaurav.
LikeLiked by 2 people