Title: Chhaava
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, Ashutosh Rana, Divya Dutta, Vineet Singh, Diana Penty, Neil Bhoopalam
Rating: 2.5/5
Laxman Utekar’s Chhaava delivers a visually intense and emotionally exhausting depiction of Sambhaji Maharaj’s life, the son of the legendary Shivaji Maharaj. Led by a power-packed performance from Vicky Kaushal, the film attempts to balance historical grandeur with personal moments but struggles to maintain the narrative’s equilibrium.
The movie opens with a fierce battle led by Sambhaji against a Mughal outpost. From the very beginning, the tone is set with high-octane action, detailed combat sequences, and relentless violence. Kaushal’s transformation into the ‘Chhaava’ (son of a lion) is commendable—he brings conviction and intensity to the role, portraying a warrior who fights for ‘Swaraj’ with unyielding passion.
However, the film often veers into the territory of ‘torture porn’, especially during scenes depicting the brutal tactics employed by Aurangzeb, played by Akshaye Khanna. The prosthetic-laden portrayal of the Mughal emperor, while unique, feels overshadowed by the excessive violence. The depiction of Mughal characters, particularly the cruel Aurangzeb and his equally sinister daughter, carries a simplistic ‘good vs evil’ narrative, which may feel jarring given the historical context.
Watch Chhaava movie trailer:
Rashmika Mandanna as Sambhaji’s devoted wife provides some respite from the chaos, though her character follows familiar tropes. The domestic scenes offer brief emotional relief but are overshadowed by the ongoing conspiracies and political intrigues, particularly those involving Sambhaji’s scheming stepmother, portrayed by Divya Dutta.
The film’s cinematography effectively captures the period’s grandeur, with expansive battlefields and royal courts rendered in vivid detail. Yet, the screenplay prioritizes action over nuance, making the 161-minute runtime feel laborious. The comparisons with Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ become evident during the prolonged scenes of Sambhaji’s torture, which leave the audience more drained than moved.
Despite its flaws, Chhaava succeeds in highlighting Sambhaji Maharaj’s valiant spirit and his unwavering commitment to the Maratha cause. Vicky Kaushal’s stellar performance remains the film’s anchor, making it worth a watch for fans of historical epics. However, the excessive violence and lack of narrative subtlety might leave viewers questioning the balance between historical fact and cinematic fiction.
Verdict: A visually striking but overly aggressive historical drama, buoyed by Vicky Kaushal’s dedication but hindered by an uneven narrative. Watch it if you admire Kaushal’s craft or have a deep interest in Maratha history—but be prepared for an exhausting ride.
