Elephants, horses, cannons, swords, all are your army, but my king chained in chains is still heavier than all… These lines spoken by poet Kalash in the film bring forth the scene of what fear there must have been when Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj shook the foundation of the Mughals despite being a prisoner in the sultanate of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. The film Chhaava directed by director Laxman Utekar brings the story of the same brave Maratha warrior to the screen. The film is based on the Marathi novel Chhaava by writer Shivaji Sawant. Will the story of Chhava give you goosebumps?

The story begins with the news that Aurangzeb (Akshay Khanna) receives, namely that the founder and warrior of the Maratha Empire, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has died. Aurangzeb feels that there is no one left in the Deccan to face him.

But during that time, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (Vicky Kaushal) attacks the Mughal stronghold of Burhanpur with his army. Like his father, the mighty warrior Sambhaji Raje is also called Chhava, meaning lion’s cub by the people. Aurangzeb is enraged by this attack. He makes several attempts to surround Chhava for nine years, in which the Maratha warriors defeat him.

Successful in showing the passion of the brave warriors of the Maratha society

Chhava is the first historical film of Laxman Utekar, director of films like Mimi, Luka Chuppi, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke. Along with converting the book into a screenplay along with his writers, Laxman’s research is also strong.

He has been successful in showing the passion and dedication of the brave warriors of the Maratha Empire towards Hindu Swarajya. But he has failed to introduce some characters before the intermission. He has also dealt with the episode of Shivaji Maharaj’s second wife Soyrabai Bhosale in a hurry. Although the climax is strong, in which there is immense pain, there is also a feeling of pride that such brave sons have been born in the land of India.

The absence of Marathi language in the dialogues is a bit heartbreaking.

AR Rahman’s music, songs written by Irshad Kamil are melodious, but if there were drums and cymbals, it would have been easier to connect with the soil of Maharashtra. The absence of Marathi language in the dialogues is also irritating.

The scenes in which child Sambhaji Maharaj gets guidance from Shivaji Maharaj’s voice in every difficult situation are heart-touching. In Aurangzeb’s sultanate, the poetry competition between Sambhaji Maharaj, who was bleeding and chained, and Kavi Kalash is memorable.

In one scene, Aurangzeb tells Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj to shake hands with him, you just has to change your religion, to which Sambhaji Maharaj replies that by shaking hands with him, he come to the side of the Marathas, your life will change and you won’t even have to change your religion… Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is called a lion and the cub of that lion is called a child… These dialogues written by Rishi Virmani garner applause and whistles. Aurangzeb, who lost even after winning, saying that he wished he had a child-like Sambhaji, makes one realize how this warrior gave a tough time to the Mughals.

Cinematographer Saurabh Goswami deserves praise because has filmed the scenes of guerrilla warfare and the Mughal army surrounding Sambhaji Maharaj with great finesse.

Vicky did justice to the character of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj

Vicky Kaushal had said that his biggest challenge was how he could become Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. He fulfills that challenge with full responsibility. From chasing away the enemies like a skilled warrior to instilling enthusiasm in the Marathas by increasing their pride for Swarajya and in the climax standing in front of the Mughals with his head held high despite being bloodied, tied in chains, having his eyes, tongue and nails pulled out, Vicky has lived every moment of the brave Maratha warrior Sambhaji Maharaj.

When he is tied in chains and pulled, it feels like a lion has been caught, which is impossible to control. Rashmika Mandana is perfect in the role of Sambhaji Maharaj’s wife Yesubai. This time the influence of South Indian language is less visible in his dialogues. Akshay Khanna in the role of Aurangzeb proves in fewer dialogues that he can play every kind of role. In the role of Kavi Kalash, Vineet Kumar Singh lives the journey from poet to warrior. However, Laxman has not been able to properly use actors like Ashutosh Rana, Diana Penty, and Divya Dutta. Their characters seem incomplete.

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The film with Vicky Kaushal continues the relentless fight against the Mughal Empire and awaits a cinematic experience full of heroism and history.

The much-awaited trailer of the period drama Chhawa starring Vicky Kaushal and Akshay Khanna is finally out, raising excitement among the audience. Released on February 14, the film will be more about the life and legacy of Sambhaji Maharaj, the great son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

A Story of Great Leadership & Sacrifice

Coming from Maddock Films, Chhaava focuses on the undaunted perseverance of Sambhaji Maharaj and his leadership in the volatile 17th century.

The story begins with his coronation in 1681, developing as a thrilling retelling of his Swarajya crusade.

Directed by Laxman Utekar, the movie combines the authenticity of history and cinematic grandeur. The trailer hints at a confrontation between Vicky Kaushal as Sambhaji and Akshaye Khanna with menacing shades of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Their duel is full of tension, which Khanna’s chilling performance brings to this antagonist, giving him an air of ruthless ambition.

Rashmika Mandanna Shines as Maharani Yesubai

Rashmika Mandanna delivers a striking performance as Maharani Yesubai Bhonsale, Sambhaji’s steadfast queen. Her role adds emotional depth to the narrative, portraying a partnership grounded in mutual strength and resilience.

A brilliant scene in the trailer is when Sambhaji, with a lion in an arena due to such an electrifying crowd, shows up for a heart-pounding fight, which has been made for both action and emotional quotient.

It is a labor of passion and precision.

Director Laxman Utekar spoke about the dedication behind the project at the trailer launch in Mumbai. “Chhaava is more than a historical epic—it’s a tale of unmatched courage, profound sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit of a leader,” Utekar shared. “We have paid attention to every detail, from costumes to sets, to make it an immersive and authentic experience.

Producer and creative force at Maddock Films, Dinesh Vijan described Chhaava as an ode to Sambhaji Maharaj, whose legacy stays alive. “It is a matter of great pride to narrate the story of a ruler who left an indelible mark on history,” Vijan stated. “This film stands as a tribute to his vision and valor, and we are confident it will resonate deeply with viewers.

With the countdown for its release starting, Chhaava promises to take audiences into a world of heroism and historical splendor honoring a leader whose legacy continues to inspire.

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