Chhaava

<p>A messenger informs Emperor of the death of . Although Aurangzeb acknowledges the loss of a formidable enemy, he announces a celebration. His courtiers are confident that the will soon collapse. However, Shivaji’s son and successor, , quickly takes charge of continuing the resistance. He launches a sudden attack on , a key Mughal province. The city’s defenders are caught off guard by the Maratha army and are defeated in the assault. During the battle, Sambhaji steps on a trapdoor and falls into a chamber housing a lion. He bravely faces the animal and splits its jaw apart with his bare hands. Aurangzeb learns of the attack and realises that the Maratha resistance endures. He commences a huge military crusade to protect his authority. Meanwhile, Sambhaji is welcomed home by his wife , where he is formally crowned as the . However, his stepmother, , and a few courtiers including , conspire to overthrow Sambhaji and install Soyarabai’s son, , on the throne. Elsewhere, Aurangzeb’s army raids villages, committing mass murders, arson, and rapes while simultaneously taking several inhabitants as slaves and subjecting them to torture. , Aurangzeb’s estranged son, seeks assistance from Sambhaji to rebel against his father. When Sambhaji hesitates, Akbar exposes his own discreet communication with Soyarabai and her intention to subvert the king; a devastated Sambhaji promises to protect Akbar and executes the treacherous courtiers while Soyarabai is confronted by , her own brother and Sambhaji’s loyal general. Sambhaji implements to subdue Aurangzeb’s forces, who incur heavy losses due to the attacks and the ‘s challenging topography. Soyarabai soon dies of illness and Sambhaji takes the responsibility of Rajaram and arranges his wedding with Hambirrao’s daughter, . Hambirrao later dies in one of the battles. Meanwhile, Aurangzeb feels insulted by the persistent defeats and vows to remain uncrowned until Sambhaji is crushed. , his daughter, plans to imprison her brother, Mirza Akbar, but Sambhaji foils her plans, sticking to his oath. Upon discovering that several are apostatising, Sambhaji convenes a conference in and inspires them to fight and sustain the Confederacy. However, Yesubai’s resentful brothers deceive Sambhaji and help the Mughals in locating him on a night while he is with a small army of 150. The Mughal army implements its ambush and the Maratha soldiers are heavily outnumbered; Maratha generals and survive the onslaught and are instructed to leave and apprise Yesubai of the ambuscade. Sambhaji valiantly fights and kills many Mughal soldiers until he is captured alongside his friend and advisor, . Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash are carried off to the camps of Aurangzeb, who offers Sambhaji a chance to surrender and join hands with them, but he refuses to renounce his ideals and declares that the Marathas will continue to fight for ” “. Kavi Kalash is subsequently executed and Sambhaji is subjected to a 40 days brutal torture: salt is rubbed on his wounds; his fingernails are pulled out; hot iron rods are pierced into his eyes, and his tongue is torn out. Nevertheless, he remains defiant and eventually succumbs to his injuries; Aurangzeb is left dissatisfied and grieves over not having a son like him. Elsewhere, Yesubai endorses the Maratha resistance on behalf of her husband and crowns Rajaram as the next Chhatrapati. A textual epilogue reveals that the Maratha Empire eventually triumphed and the Mughal Empire collapsed within three decades of Sambhaji’s passing. : Everyone knows about , but no one knows about . He had such great courage and was a great warrior, but sadly no one knows about it. During the when I read about Sambhaji Maharaj, I realised he is such a big character, and why are we not talking about his life? That’s when I started writing and the idea of Chhaava came to me. — , during an interview with In December 2022, it was reported that was working on a historical biopic in an untitled film in which ‘s casting was under progress. They discussed the project and Vicky has liked the material and would sign the project only after the full narration. As it was still in the writing proces, the shooting would commence after Kaushal finalise it. It was based on the Marathi novel by . In January 2023, the project was confirmed which would mark Kaushal teams up with Utekar and producer once again after their then- co-starring . The film was titled and Kaushal would play , the eldest son of the Maratha empire’s founder Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Rashmika Mandanna was cast to play role of Sambhaji Maharaj’s wife, as . known for modest budget films, will be their most expensive project. Laxman Utekar said that even before he began writing the script in 2021 he wanted to cast and for the respective roles. After completing script in January 2023, pre-production for the film began in April, and principal photography starting in October. Utekar and his team spent a year researching the 17th-century Maratha era, travelling to historical towns like , , , , and . served as costume designer, sourcing authentic sarees and restored 500-year-old borders for ‘s character, . To ensure authenticity, he visited and to acquire and Narayanpeth sarees. Additional accessories were gathered from , , and Ratnagiri. Sharma also mentioned that Vicky Kaushal’s outfit in the first action sequence of the film weighed approximately 17–18 kg. Subrata Chakraborty and Amit Ray recreated jewellery and the sword Bhavani, drawing references from museums in London. ‘s portrayal of was based on historical busts and statues to ensure accuracy. was roped in to compose the score. The film was officially announced on 3 October 2023, when revealed its upcoming slate of theatrical releases, including the release date for . discussed his upcoming film with Vicky Kaushal during the shoot of (2023). In January 2023, Utekar confirmed that Kaushal would portray , marking their second collaboration following . Kaushal would be reportedly receiving a (US$1.2 million) remuneration. Utekar mentioned that Kaushal would undergo four months of training in sword fighting, horse riding, and that shooting would begin once they were satisfied with his preparation. Vaibhav Vishant served as casting director. In August 2023, it was reported that Marathi actor would play a pivotal role in the film. He was originally cast as Ganoji Shirke, but later, director Laxman Utekar met with him in his office and offered him the role of Rayaji Malge instead. During the same month, Juvekar and Kaushal underwent horse riding training in the . During trailer launch, Kaushal revealed that he was trained in sword, stick, and spear fighting for 6–7 months. He also gained 25 kg weight for the role. During shooting in a set was constructed for the scene depicting Chhatrapati Sambhaji’s ascension to the throne, featuring an eight-sided throne. By October 2023, it was reported that Kaushal had started his preparations for the film alongside co-star . Mandanna would be reportedly receiving (US$470,000) remuneration. The same month, and join cast as and , respectively. Rana would be reportedly receiving (US$95,000) remuneration. Dutta later discussed her portrayal in an interview with in December 2024. On 4 December 2023, joined the film’s cast. Mandanna wrapped up her portion of filming in January 2024, while Kaushal resumed filming in on 9 March 2024, continuing until 6 April 2024. On 23 April 2024, Santosh Juvekar completed his portions. Earlier in the production process, the team had approached for the role of , but in October 2023, joined the cast in the role instead. He would be reportedly receiving (US$240,000) for his remuneration. joined the film in the role of . Principal photography for the film wrapped in May 2024. Initially, Utekar had approached Marathi actor for a negative role, but Shinde declined the offer due to a scheduling conflict with his existing contract with , as he revealed in a November 2024 interview with . After filming concluded in May 2024, the movie entered post-production. On 11 February 2025, reported that was hired to provide a voiceover for the film, completing his dubbing in the final week. On 1 February 2025, the film was granted a U/A 16+ certification by the (CBFC), with a runtime of 161 minutes and 50 seconds. The CBFC required certain modifications, including the replacement of dialogues in the first half and the removal of a scene featuring Maratha warriors in sarees. Additionally, the CBFC requested the inclusion of an audio-text disclaimer, mentioning the book the film is adapted from and clarifying that it does not aim to defame anyone or distort historical facts. Following backlash from certain Maharashtrian political figures for featuring a scene in the trailer in which Chatrapati Sambhaji and his wife perform dance, Utekar decided to delete the sequence from the film. The visual effects were handled by and . Gary Brown and Simon Frame from Assemblage and Somesh Samit Ghosh from ReDefine served as the supervisors for the film. ReDefine, led by Ghosh, aimed to create a photorealistic aesthetic seamlessly integrated with the film’s live-action cinematography. Their work included reconstructing historical forts, extending landscapes, and simulating large-scale battle sequences. Emphasis was placed on achieving visual effects that supported the storytelling rather than appearing as separate, noticeable additions. The team employed a layered approach, incorporating accurate material properties, atmospheric depth, and realistic light interactions. A key directive was to maintain historical authenticity while integrating VFX with live-action footage. This objective required an extensive research process, with the team relying on photogrammetry to capture detailed textures and measurements of historical artifacts, including weaponry. Fort reconstructions were among the most technically demanding aspects of the project. Structures such as Bhorwada and Aurangzeb’s Fort were recreated based on architectural references from the relevant historical period. To achieve the necessary fidelity for large-scale cinematic shots, the surrounding environments were rendered in 8K resolution. Lighting, depth, and environmental conditions were meticulously matched to ensure that digital elements blended naturally with practical footage. Battle scenes in the film featured a complex array of digital enhancements. The VFX team augmented sequences with digital effects such as dynamic blood splatter, volumetric dust, and crowd simulations to convey scale and continuity. Key action sequences such as those set at Sangameshwar Lake and Bhorwada—presented additional challenges due to the complexity of water simulations and large-scale choreographed combat. These scenes required careful timing and integration of digital environments with physical sets to preserve realism. Attention was given to natural interactions, including water movement, debris displacement, and atmospheric effects. The production benefited from ReDefine’s adaptive VFX pipeline, which incorporated advanced rendering techniques, simulation workflows, and machine learning-assisted compositing. For certain sequences, procedural terrain generation and deep learning-based upscaling were employed to balance scalability with high visual fidelity. Assemblage led by Gary Brown and Simon Frame worked on the Lion sequence of the film. The Lion was entirely computer-generated, created with an emphasis on hyperrealism and authenticity. To ensure anatomical accuracy, the VFX team conducted extensive research into the Asiatic lion’s physical characteristics, movements, and behavior. The asset-building process involved detailed digital sculpting and advanced fur simulation, with every strand of hair animated to move naturally in response to the lion’s motion. In addition to that they enhanced environmental effects and large-scale battle sequences. Photogrammetry was used to accurately capture real-world textures for sets, props, and characters. Epic Games’ Unreal Engine facilitated real-time rendering for complex environmental FX, improving scalability and visual fidelity. These digital environments were designed to complement live-action footage and were developed with historical accuracy in mind, particularly in the recreation of forts and landscapes from the Maratha era. The music of the film is composed by while the lyrics are written by and . The first single titled “Jaane Tu” was released on 31 January 2025. The second single titled “Aaya Re Toofan” was released on 6 February 2025. The album launch event was held on 13 February 2025. The teaser of the film was showcased before the preview shows of , and was later released on social media on 19 August 2024, coinciding . The official trailer of the film launched on 22 January 2025 in Mumbai. As part of the promotional campaign, Vicky Kaushal, Laxman Utekar, and Rashmika Mandanna held a fan meet at the 24th Kala Ghoda Festival on 3 February 2025 in Mumbai. On 13 February 2025, Chhaava’s album launch event took place in Mumbai, where Rashmika Mandanna showcased a regal look in a floral Indo-Western suit designed by Anita Dongre for the event. Following popular demand, the film was also scheduled for release in a Telugu-dubbed version, with its Telugu trailer unveiled on 3 May 2025. London’s lights up to the tune of “Aaya Re Toofan”, composed by . Promotional activities were also held across various cities in the country, including , , , , , , , , and . Initially set to release on 6 December 2024, the film was later postponed to 14 February 2025. The film was simultaneously released in . The film has been declared tax-free in and . The dubbed version of the film was released on 7 March 2025. Chaava received a positive response and performed well at the box office following its theatrical release. The film’s digital streaming rights were acquired by . It began streaming on the platform from 11 April 2025. The film was distributed by in India and internationally. The Telugu version was distributed by in and . As of 20 April 2025, has grossed (US$84 million) domestically and (US$11 million) overseas for a worldwide gross of (US$94 million). had a strong opening day, particularly in the state of , grossing (US$3.9 million) in India. The film collected (US$19 million)– (US$19 million) worldwide in its opening weekend, making it Laxman Utekar’s highest-grossing film, surpassing his previous film , which earned (US$15 million). It grossed in its opening weekend in the US. On 19 February 2025, the film earned (US$3.9 million) and become the ninth fastest Hindi film to reach and also setting a record for the highest collection on a first Wednesday. In its first week, the film earned (US$27 million) in India and (US$37 million) globally. By the second Saturday, it earned (US$5.2 million). The film entered the ₹300 crore club in domestic market in its second weekend and crossed (US$47 million) globally. In its second week, the film collected (US$21 million). On 1 March 2025, the film entered in ₹400 crore club in domestic market. The film earned (US$9.9 million) in the third week and (US$6.6 million) in the fourth week. reported that the film grossed over (US$80 million) worldwide while accumulated (US$11 million) from international markets in 24 days. The film entered the in India in its fourth week and achieved (US$83 million) worldwide in 25 days. The Telugu version opened with (US$300,000). On March 11, 2025, the film’s collection reached (US$61 million), making it the sixth highest-grossing Hindi film, surpassing the Hindi total of (US$60 million) achieved by . In the first week, the Telugu version grossed (US$1.4 million), and by the second weekend, it earned (US$250,000). By the second Monday, the total collection had reached (US$1.7 million). In its fifth week of release, earned (US$3.6 million) net, taking its total net collection to (US$63 million) by the end of the week. On 36th day, the film collected (US$63 million) net and grossed over (US$91 million) worldwide. The following day, it exceeded (US$92 million). reported that the film grossed over (US$69 million) in India and (US$93 million) worldwide in 38 days. On 40th day of release, the film’s earnings reached (US$93 million). On the 41st day, the film earned over (US$83 million) in India and (US$11 million) internationally, bringing its total worldwide gross to (US$93 million). In the sixth week, the film earned (US$1.7 million)– (US$1.8 million) net in India and become the second highest sixth week grosser Hindi film of all time. The Telugu version earned (US$1.9 million) in three weeks. The film’s net collection in its seventh week stands at (US$770,000)– (US$830,000), including (US$2,400) from Telugu version, making it the second-highest after which collected (US$1.0 million). According to , the worldwide gross collection of has reached (US$95 million), with a domestic net of (US$70 million). further reported that the film surpassed (US$71 million) net in domestic markets in same period. The domestic net surpassed (US$70 million)– (US$71 million) in 50 days. As per , has earned (US$71 million) net in India, including (US$69 million) from the original Hindi version and (US$1.9 million) from the dubbed Telugu version. The film’s total global gross stands at (US$96 million). , , , and all reported that the film crossed (US$71 million) net in India on its 66th day of release, becoming the first non-sequel Hindi film to do so in the Hindi language only. Previously, only , , and had crossed the ₹600 crore net mark in India. However, —while also a non-sequel—achieved this figure through collections from multiple language versions (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu). The film grossed over (US$94 million)– (US$96 million) globally including (US$71 million)– (US$72 million) net in India and (US$12 million) in international markets in its final theatrical run. has become the highest-grossing film in Maharashtra, surpassing , which earned (US$30 million). As of 18 March 2025, the film garnered 2.75 crore (27.5 million) footfalls. On the website , 31% of 13 critics’ reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.5/10. Prasanna Zore of rated the film 4 out of 5, writing ” deserves 2 stars for the historically half-baked film that it is, but 4 stars just for its attempt on making a film on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj”. gave 4 stars out of 5 stars and wrote “Chhaava is much more than just an action-packed period drama; it’s a film that resonates with its historical significance while maintaining its emotional core.” Pooja Biraia Jaiswal of rated 3.5 stars out of 5 stars and wrote “The film showcases regality and grandeur, adrenaline-pumping action sequences and punchy dialogues, but interestingly, it does all of that and more, while ensuring it doesn’t lose track of the plot and the narrative that runs beautifully across all its frames.” Nishad Thaivalappil of rated the film 3.5 out of 5 and the reviewer highlights Vicky Kaushal’s outstanding portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and praises the film for effectively capturing his legacy. Kusumika Das of awarded 3.5 stars out of 5 stars and wrote “While Utekar’s storytelling could have been tighter, his attempt is commendable. Most notably, Chhaava unveils a fierce, unrelenting Vicky Kaushal in a historical saga.” Renuka Vyavahare of have 3.5 stars out of 5 stars and wrote “Chhaava’s excellence lies in its gripping second half and a terrific climax.” Devesh Sharma of rated 3.5 stars out of 5 stars and noted that Chhaava succeeds in delivering a high-intensity action film, anchored by Vicky Kaushal’s powerhouse performance. However, he pointed out that the film doesn’t fully delve into the complexities of Sambhaji’s character, leaving much of his multifaceted legacy unexplored. of , gave 2.5 out of 5 rating and wrote “Vicky Kaushal is fully committed in Laxman Utekar’s ultra-loud, ultra-violent, and exhausting film”. of gave 2.5 stars out of 5 and said that “The film, has far greater depth than the top-heavy treatment that it deploys India order to pay tribute to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj”. Pratikshya Mishra of gave it 2.5 stars and commented that “Unlike its protagonist, who often runs into battle like a man possessed even when the odds seem stacked against him, the film simply wasn’t brave enough to take that leap.” Tushar Joshi of wrote, “Chhaava doesn’t aim to be exceptionally different, but it masters the art of navigating the mainstream waters without completely drowning in the cacophony of its own voice.” Rahul Desai of observed that “Chhaava is neither romanticised nor pulpy. It’s just scared. So scared that only gods and demons can afford to exist. So scared that it’s blinded by its own reflection.” Anuj Kumar of said that “Struggling to choose between history and the current nationalist sentiment, Laxman Utekar’s unsurprising narrative finds its voice in the final. Nandini Ramnath of said in her review that “Laxman Utekar takes us through every bit of this ordeal – it’s what Chhaava has been building up to. The Christ-like imagery is apposite, given the all-round love for medieval punishment. But the film’s lack of feeling is vivid too, with shouty speechifying mistaken for heartfelt passion and sumptuous visuals confused for grandeur.” was threatened with a ₹100 crore (approximately US$12 million) lawsuit for allegedly depicting historical inaccuracies and misrepresentation. The Shirke family, claiming to represent the descendants of historical figures portrayed in the film, raised objections, alleging that their ancestors were wrongly depicted as traitors. Director responded to the controversy by apologising for any unintentional distress caused and clarified that the film does not explicitly name the families or villages of the concerned historical figures. A historian, Indrajit Sawant, claimed that he faced threats and caste-based abuse for challenging the film’s historical accuracy, alleging that it distorts history by wrongly portraying as one of the antagonists instead of , the for Shivaji Maharaj. Sawant cited contemporary accounts suggesting Brahmin clerks betrayed Sambhaji to the Mughals, leading to his capture. After its release, Chhaava is alleged to reignite the wave of hate and hostility against Muslims across India, and is one of the few movies to do so after and . Several politicians like and criticized the movie and praised Emperor Aurangzeb, which led to backlash among right-wing Hindu organizations and leaders. Right wing groups like and condemned the glorification and threatened to demolish the , located in , as they claimed it as a reminder of “centuries of oppression, atrocities, and slavery” of Hindus during his rule. The incident subsequently led to on 17 March 2025 and several law enforcement officers were injured in the clash, with Chief Minister urging for calm and condemning any glorification of Aurangzeb. He blamed the movie for the Nagpur violence.</p>