India, Sept. 29 -- Mumbai The release of Marathi film Dharamveer 2 has stirred a controversy, with Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat alleging that Anand Dighe, the late Sena leader from Thane, was murdered and that he did not die from injuries sustained in a road accident. The film is a sequel to Dharamveer, which released in May 2022. The first part was a biopic of Dighe, mentor to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, whom the film projected as Dighe's heir.

Reacting to Shirsat's allegation, Dighe's nephew and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader from Thane, Kedar Dighe, dared him to provide evidence to support his claim. Dighe also demanded to know why Shirsat had been silent for 23 years.

Dharmaveer released shortly before Shinde split the Shiv Sena....