Sooraj Pancholi Joins Historical Epic ‘Kesari Veer’ As Veer Hamirji Gohil
Film about Somnath's unsung warriors set for worldwide release on May 16.
Glendon Moss is a marketer and storyteller with over a decade of experience in digital campaigns, content strategy, writing and performance marketing. Currently heading video content at Incnut Digital, he’s driven brand engagement and revenue for leading D2C brands with campaigns that have earned both commercial impact and international acclaim.
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Sooraj Pancholi is set to portray the brave warrior Veer Hamirji Gohil in the upcoming historical film “Kesari Veer: Legends of Somnath”. The actor shared a powerful first-look poster on Instagram, announcing his role as the legendary defender of the Somnath Temple.
The Instagram post revealed Sooraj in an intense warrior avatar, complete with period-appropriate battle gear and weaponry. The poster describes Veer Hamirji Gohil as “The PROTECTOR the DEFENDER and our Unsung WARRIOR! #Somnath ka रक्षक!” The caption also includes “Har Har Mahadev,” a traditional invocation of Lord Shiva, who is worshipped at the Somnath Temple.
The film is centered around the historical battles for the protection of the sacred Somnath Temple, with Pancholi playing the role of a warrior who defended it. The hashtags #KesariVeer and #LegendsOfSomnath suggest the film will focus on the heroic tales associated with the temple’s history.
“Kesari Veer” is produced by Kanu Chauhan under Chauhan Studios and will be distributed worldwide by Panorama Studios. The film boasts an impressive cast that includes industry veterans Suniel Shetty and Vivek Oberoi, alongside Akansha Sharma and Sooraj Pancholi in key roles. The film is directed by Prince Dhiman and is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on May 16, 2025. The production team also includes cinematographer Vikas Joshi, with music from Panorama Music and Believe Music India.
In the days leading up to Sooraj’s character reveal, the production has been introducing other significant characters from the film. Recent posts from the film’s social media accounts introduced characters like “Rajal,” described as “जंगल ki शेरनी and a fierce warrior,” meaning “the lioness of the forest,” portrayed by Akansha Sharma. Another character revealed was “Zafar Khan,” described as “the brutal face of history that #Somnath never forgot!” played by Vivek Oberoi. Additionally, the film will feature a character named “Vegda Ji,” introduced as “ek mahan योद्धा,” meaning a great warrior, who participated in the battle of Somnath, played by Suniel Shetty.
These character introductions suggest that “Kesari Veer” will be an ensemble historical drama centered around the battle for Somnath, with each character playing a significant role in the historical narrative.
This role marks an important addition to Sooraj Pancholi’s filmography. The actor, who made his Bollywood debut in 2015 with “Hero” produced by Salman Khan Films, has been selective with his projects over the years. After his debut, he appeared in films like “Satellite Shankar” (2019) and “Time to Dance” (2021). “Kesari Veer” represents what appears to be Pancholi’s first major historical role.
The Somnath Temple, located in Gujarat, has a tumultuous history of repeated destruction and reconstruction, making it a powerful symbol of resilience in Indian history. The temple has been rebuilt several times after being looted and destroyed by various invaders throughout history.
The film seems to be focusing on one of the historical battles for the protection of this sacred site, bringing to light the stories of warriors who defended the temple. By highlighting these “unsung warriors,” the film aims to showcase a chapter of Indian history that may not be widely known to contemporary audiences.
Sooraj Pancholi has been sharing glimpses of his intense physical preparation for this role on his Instagram account. Recent posts show him training rigorously with captions like “UNTIL I WIN” and “It’s not over until I win #persistent,” indicating his commitment to physically transform for this warrior character.
As the film gears up for its release next month, audiences can expect more character reveals and glimpses into this historical epic that aims to bring the legends of Somnath and its defenders to the big screen.
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