Making a historical epic in India is basically a high-stakes gamble. You either end up with a Baahubali or you find yourself in the middle of a VFX-heavy storm that critics can’t stop talking about. That’s exactly what went down with the cast of Kesari Veer. Released in May 2025, this film tried to capture the gritty, legendary stand of Hamirji Gohil at the Somnath Temple, but the conversation quickly shifted from the history to the actors themselves.
Honestly, the lineup looked solid on paper. You had a veteran like Suniel Shetty, the ever-dramatic Vivek Oberoi, and Sooraj Pancholi trying to mount a massive comeback. But as any movie buff knows, a big name doesn't always mean a big hit.
The Trio Leading the Charge: Suniel, Sooraj, and Vivek
Let’s talk about the heavy hitters first. The film revolves around a 14th-century clash against the Tughlaq Empire, and the producers banked hard on these three to carry the emotional weight.
Sooraj Pancholi as Hamirji Gohil
This was marketed as Sooraj Pancholi’s big "redemption" role. He played Hamirji Gohil, the Rajput prince of Arthila who vowed to protect Somnath with his life. To give him credit, the guy clearly hit the gym. Hard. He handled the sword-fighting and horse-riding sequences with a lot of physical energy. Rumor has it he even went completely vegetarian during the shoot out of respect for the temple's history. While he nailed the "fierce warrior" look, critics felt his performance was a bit one-note—mostly just intense staring and flexed muscles.
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Suniel Shetty as Vegdaji Bhil
Suniel Shetty was probably the most grounded part of the whole production. He played Vegdaji, the leader of the Shiv-worshipping Bhil community. Seeing "Anna" with dreadlocks and rudraksh beads was definitely a vibe. He’s the one who eventually joins forces with Hamirji to face the invaders. Even though the movie got panned for some of its wilder scenes (more on that later), Shetty’s presence brought a certain gravitas that kept people watching.
Vivek Oberoi as Zafar Khan
If you need a ruthless, wine-swilling, theatrical villain, you call Vivek Oberoi. As Zafar Khan, the Tughlaq commander, Oberoi went full "bad guy mode." He’s the antagonist driving the whole plot, marching toward Saurashtra to loot the temple. Some viewers loved the over-the-top energy, while others felt it slipped too far into caricature.
The Supporting Cast of Kesari Veer: Who Else Was There?
It wasn't just a three-man show. The cast of Kesari Veer included a mix of fresh faces and seasoned TV veterans who filled out the world of 14th-century Gujarat.
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- Akanksha Sharma (Rajal): This was her big debut. She played Hamirji’s love interest and Vegdaji’s daughter. She’s got a "warrior princess" energy, but the script gave her some weird romantic detours that slowed the movie down.
- Bhavya Gandhi (Lakha): Yeah, the kid from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is all grown up. He played Lakha, and it was pretty jarring for fans to see him in a gritty historical setting compared to his sitcom days.
- Hitu Kanodia (Dudhaji Gohil): A legend in Gujarati cinema, Kanodia lent some much-needed regional authenticity to the Rajput side of the story.
- Barkha Bisht & Aruna Irani: These two brought some serious acting pedigree to the smaller roles, though they weren't given nearly enough screen time.
Why the Internet Lost Its Mind Over the Cast
Here’s where things get weird. The cast of Kesari Veer had to act through some of the most "unique" CGI choices we’ve seen in years. There’s a scene in the climax—based on local folklore—where a beheaded Hamirji Gohil continues to fight. Seeing Sooraj Pancholi’s character slicing through enemies without a head was... a choice.
Then you’ve got Suniel Shetty balancing a massive Shiv Ling on two lances mid-battle. It’s the kind of stuff that makes for great memes but leaves historians scratching their heads. The film tried to be 300 meets Singham, and the actors often felt like they were performing in a vacuum because the VFX was so distracting.
The Credits: Who Ran the Show?
Behind the camera, the team was led by director Prince Dhiman and producer/writer Kanu Chauhan. They clearly had a massive vision—the budget was reportedly around 600 million INR—but the execution was messy. The music, composed by Monty Sharma, actually stood out as a highlight. Shaan and Sonu Nigam lent their voices to the soundtrack, which gave the film a bit of that classic epic feel.
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What You Can Learn from the Kesari Veer Release
If you're looking into the cast of Kesari Veer because you're a fan of historical dramas, there are a few things to keep in mind before you hit play on a streaming service:
- Lower your expectations for realism: This is "masala" history. It’s loud, it’s colorful, and it ignores physics.
- Watch for the performances, not the plot: Suniel Shetty and Hitu Kanodia genuinely try their best with the material.
- Check out the folklore first: If you read up on the actual legend of Hamirji Gohil and the Bhils at Somnath, the movie's wilder "supernatural" moments actually make more sense as tributes to local myths.
The film might have struggled at the box office, barely crossing the 2 crore mark in its first week, but as a piece of "nationalistic kitsch," it’s definitely a conversation starter. You can find the full movie on most major Indian streaming platforms if you want to see the "headless warrior" sequence for yourself.
Next Step: You should look up the actual history of the Somnath Temple sieges to see how the real-life Hamirji Gohil differs from the version Sooraj Pancholi played on screen.