Since Eknath Shinde’s realignment with the BJP, he has been determined to elevate Anand Dighe’s stature to that of a widely revered political figure in Maharashtra, seeking to position him alongside leaders like Balasaheb Thackeray. The Dharmaveer movie series has played a crucial role in propagating this myth, extending Dighe’s influence beyond his home base of Thane.

Before these films, Dighe was relatively unknown outside of Thane, with limited recognition in Maharashtra’s broader political landscape. Through the Dharmaveer series, Shinde aims to solidify his connection to Dighe, portraying himself as the true inheritor of his political legacy. However, this cinematic portrayal raises questions about whether it is more myth-making than an accurate historical record, as Dighe’s legacy is amplified far beyond its original scope.

Shinde’s Political Ambitions and Dharmaveer

Presently, Eknath Shinde is being positioned as the Maratha face of the NDA alliance in Maharashtra. To maintain his relevance on a national level, Shinde’s public relations are managed by various agencies, crafting an image of him as a heavyweight in state politics. The first Dharmaveer film played a significant role in shaping this narrative, emphasizing Shinde’s rise to power through his hard work and the goodwill earned under Dighe’s mentorship. The movie frames Shinde’s political ascent as a natural extension of Dighe’s legacy, reinforcing his role in Maharashtra’s political corridors and extending his influence beyond the state.

Dharmaveer 2: Cinematic Projection vs. Historical Accuracy

Dharmaveer 2 continues the saga by delving into Anand Dighe’s life, offering an emotionally charged narrative that highlights his impact on ordinary people. The film attempts to present his life as a realistic depiction, connecting his legacy to present-day politics. However, the second installment leans more towards cinematic projection than a serious documentation of history. Directed by Praveen Tarde, whose ideological leanings are closely aligned with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the film presents a selective narrative. Much like the first part, it resonates with audiences drawn to its ideological undertones, prioritizing myth over a balanced exploration of Dighe’s historical role.

Dighe’s Conflict with the RSS and the Political Landscape

The first Dharmaveer film largely downplays Dighe’s real political conflicts. His primary struggle wasn’t with the Congress or Vasant Davkhare, as portrayed. In reality, Dighe’s deeper battle was with the RSS itself. At the time, Thane’s political power—including its MP and the Kalyan-Dombivli mayorship—was held by BJP loyalists and RSS unionists. Dighe’s significance lies in how he expanded the Hindutva narrative beyond the BJP’s control, channeling it into Shiv Sena and reshaping Maharashtra’s political landscape. His ability to push Hindutva further to the right and challenge the status quo could easily inspire a compelling web series, showcasing his complex political maneuvering.

The Complex Relationship Between Dighe and Balasaheb Thackeray

While Dharmaveer 2 glorifies Dighe’s reverence for Balasaheb Thackeray, portraying him as a devoted disciple, the reality was more complicated. Dighe had significant differences with Thackeray, his political mentor and Hindutva flag-bearer. However, openly depicting this conflict might not resonate well with Shinde’s voter base, especially ahead of elections. The film carefully avoids these sensitive aspects, focusing instead on narratives that unify and bolster Shinde’s political image, appealing to undecided voters torn between the two factions of Shiv Sena.

Caste Politics: CKP vs. Chitpavan Brahmins

Anand Dighe’s political rise also reflected the caste dynamics in Thane, where the rivalry between the CKP (Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu) caste, to which Dighe belonged, and the Chitpavan Brahmins played out in local politics. Dighe’s ascent challenged the dominance of Chitpavan Brahmin leaders, who were closely aligned with the RSS. Leaders like Joshi and Prakash Paranjpe attempted to retain their grip on power, but Dighe’s political acumen disrupted this balance. His ability to assert himself within this caste rivalry allowed him to rise above the Sangh’s control, aligning Shiv Sena’s Hindutva narrative more closely with local politics.

Shinde’s Struggle to Carry Dighe’s Legacy

Eknath Shinde, Dighe’s political protégé, has struggled to fully carry forward the complexity of Dighe’s legacy, particularly the social consciousness that defined his leadership. While Shinde maintains Dighe’s traditions, such as holding night courts, his grasp of the ideological differences between Shiv Sena’s and BJP’s Hindutva appears limited. Dighe understood the nuances between the two brands of Hindutva, but the film downplays these ideological subtleties, focusing instead on portraying Shinde as Dighe’s rightful heir.

The film also emphasises Dighe’s loyalty to Balasaheb, but in reality, Thackeray ensured that Dighe’s influence remained localised to Thane. To maintain balance within the party, Balasaheb promoted other leaders like Satish Pradhan and Anant Tare in Thane, and Ganesh Naik and Sabirbhai Sheikh in the district. Despite his ambitions, Dighe was never granted a formal leadership position in Shiv Sena’s central organisation.

Dharmaveer 2: Myth vs. Reality

When watching Dharmaveer 2, one should be aware that it presents a selective narrative, catering to a specific political ideology. The film highlights only certain aspects of Dighe’s life while glossing over the deeper, more intricate political struggles and caste dynamics that shaped his career. The real story of Anand Dighe, including his internal conflicts within Shiv Sena, his tension with the RSS, and his strategic navigation through a complex web of alliances, is far more nuanced than the cinematic portrayal.

Understanding Dighe’s true legacy requires looking beyond the myth constructed in the film and delving into the multi-layered political realities of Maharashtra.