omkar1984

While I understand that it is a series made by the Turks, it has crossed the threshold of glorification of Mehmed and the Ottomans. They also have portrayed the other powers as absolutely evil.

Season-1: I liked this one, mostly for the bandwidth given for the strategic maneuvers during the fall of Constantinople.

What they have conveniently avoided is the showing the havoc wrought by the Ottomans after capturing Constantinople.

Season-2.

TBH, I labour through this one. The portrayal of Vlad as a psychotic, bloodthirsty prince becomes unbearable with each episode. Mehmed's atrocities during and after the campaign are conveniently sidelined.

They have conveniently left out important facts like Vlad's first reign, Mehmed's imposition of Jiziya on Wallachia which Vlad denied to pay(and termed as 'betrayal' during the entire season), and many more.

Commentary: The most irritating part was the historians and others constantly praising Mehmed instead of focusing on the events holistically.

Overall, it is a nice watch for introduction to two significant events of the Ottomans empire but that is all about it. It is melodramatic, had taken liberties beyond what even average history readers can tolerate.

I realized it within the first few minutes that the movie is going to be a Marathi (loose) adaptation of ' Rock-on'. They later added flavours of 'Kal Ho Na Ho', and 'Swades'. Per se, I wasn't interested in the screenplay. While Punekars might be overwhelmed by emotions, an outsider wouldn't be impressed.

What I liked about the movie is it's humble representation of Marathi families and friends:

• No hyper intensive acting, deafening dialogue deliveries, or unbearable gestures.

• The bonding among friends, siblings, uncle and niece, and so on is shown in a realistic way. They even managed to sprinkle humour around the 'Admin' character.

• Even if the background score was overused in the first half, it mellowed down later.

• The overall tone, and presentation of the movie is soothing.

It is a one-time watch but should serve as a benchmark to Marathi filmmakers who have gradually lost their fibre of humility and sobriety in their filmmaking.