Pasan Tharinda, JadeTimes Staff
P. Tharinda is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Historical and Mystery Topics
Shaniwar Wada is an imposing but eerie fort in Pune that is an enduring epitome of Maratha history. The stories of love, betrayal, and the paranormal found their tales leaping across time, which is very well captured in the magnum opus Bajirao Mastani. Bringing the grandeur of Peshwa in that movie, the ghostly facts of Shaniwar Wada instilled an element which is almost beyond cinematic excellence. Even the cast members, like Ranveer Singh, shared profound and chilling experiences throughout shooting this cult movie.
Shaniwar Wada: A Palace of Splendor and Sorrow Built in 1732, Shaniwar Wada was the brainchild of Peshwa Baji Rao I, envisioning it as the locus of Maratha power. Its history is, however, as stormy as it is heroic. The romance of Baji Rao and Mastani is an epitome of love that dared to oppose society, and on the darker side, there is no more infamous episode than the cold-blooded murder of young Peshwa Narayanrao.
His cries of "Kaka mala vachava" ("Uncle, save me") are said to echo through the ruins, earning it the reputation of being one of the most haunted places in India.
The Bajirao Mastani Connection
Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali brought the majestic Shaniwar Wada to life on screen in "Bajirao Mastani," transforming it into the backdrop of an epic love story. The production painstakingly recreated the grandeur of this fort yet unearthed emotional and spiritual connections that went beyond mere historical recreation. Ranveer Singh, who embodied the role of Baji Rao, has shared how deeply he immersed himself in the character—so profoundly that he felt an intimate connection to the real-life Maratha warrior.
Ranveer Singh Experience: A Glimpse into the Past EN
Ranveer Singh shared that playing the role of Bajirao was both exhilarating and haunting. In many interviews, he mentioned that while shooting, he would get very emotional, especially at Shaniwar Wada. He confessed that during the rehearsals of intense scenes, he developed a deep connection with the character. His research included visiting places linked to Peshwa and getting deep into the life of the Peshwa, including a visit to Shaniwar Wada. While he didn't explicitly mention paranormal activity, he did acknowledge the fort's distinct energy.
The cast and crew observed several remarkable coincidences throughout the filming process, especially in scenes depicting historical importance. Deepika Padukone, who played the role of Mastani, remarked on the significant emotional resonance of performing in a location of such historical relevance.
Supernatural Encounters During Production
Even though Shaniwar Wada was painstakingly recreated on a film set rather than serving as an actual location, the ghostly legends surrounding the fort began to weave their way into the crew's consciousness. Several crew members reported experiencing inexplicable chills during the late-night shoots. Others went so far as to report faint whispers and a sensation of being watched, resonating with the eerie tales of the fort's haunted past.
These experiences infused the movie with deep authenticity, as the cast and crew felt they were not only portraying history but somehow channelling it. It was this eerie energy enveloping Shaniwar Wada that contributed much toward the film's darker and more emotional scenes, mostly those that spoke of betrayal and loss.
The Spirits of Shaniwar Wada
As the cast recreated history, the real-life hauntings of Shaniwar Wada became no less fascinating. There is the most infamous account of Narayanrao's murder and his lingering cries for help. This fort is often visited by paranormal enthusiasts due to the tales of shadowy figures, disembodied voices, and an oppressive atmosphere after dark.
For many, the fort has come to symbolize the historical landmark and reminder that love, ambition, and betrayal can leave indelible marks—not just on history but on the spiritual realm as well. Shaniwar Wada: An Eternal Tale The creation of Bajirao Mastani wove together history, art, and the supernatural in ways that were both surprising and profound. For Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and their fellow cast members, Shaniwar Wada was not merely a historical backdrop; it stood as a character unto itself. The fort's phantoms—both in the flesh and in spirit—persistently inspire, terrify, and captivate those who encounter them. Whether you are a fan of history, a believer in the paranormal, or simply an admirer of epic cinema, the legacy of Shaniwar Wada is one to be reckoned with. Its walls, bathed in stories of undying love and spectral cries, remind us that some tales never fade—they just evolve, capturing every generation anew.
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