Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna’s historical drama Chhaava will arrive in theatres on February 14. Directed by Laxman Utekar and produced under Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, the film is an adaptation of Shivaji Sawant’s renowned Marathi novel of the same name. The film delves into the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, a Maratha warrior whose courage and sacrifices have remained untold on the big screen to a great extent.
Vicky Kaushal will play the courageous Sambhaji, while Akshaye Khanna will essay the powerful Aurangzeb. The cast also features Ashutosh Rana, Divya Dutta, and Diana Penty in important roles. Utekar was prompted to create this film during the COVID-19 pandemic after he read about Sambhaji Maharaj and saw how little-known his legacy was. He said, “Everyone knows about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but no one knows about Sambhaji Maharaj. His courage and valor deserve recognition.”
Through Chhaava, Utekar aims to honor Sambhaji’s contributions and introduce a wider audience to his extraordinary life.
Sambhaji Maharaj: The Unsung Hero of the Maratha Empire
Sambhaji Maharaj was the elder son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the creator of the Maratha Empire. Brought up with a tradition of courage, Sambhaji succeeded his father upon his demise in 1681. For nine years, he ruled the Maratha kingdom through turbulent times, fighting bloody battles against the Mughal Empire, the Portuguese, and other foes.
Renowned for his tactical wisdom, Sambhaji failed to lose any of the 140 wars in which he took part. His expedition against Burhanpur, an important Mughal commerce center, serves as an evidence of his reluctance to let Aurangzeb expand in the Deccan. Sambhaji had to endure treason and limited supply, yet his resolve to save his kingdom and defend the concepts of Deva (faith), Desh (nation), and Dharma (righteousness) did not waver.
But his life was ended in betrayal. In 1689, Aurangzeb arrested Sambhaji by deception. Even after undergoing savage torture, Sambhaji did not yield to any compromise or betray secrets that might hurt his people. His martyrdom on March 11, 1689, was a sad day in Maratha history, but his sacrifice turned into an emblem of unshakeable courage and patriotism.
Why Chhaava Matters
Through Sambhaji Maharaj’s life, Chhaava seeks to rekindle pride in his name. The film celebrates not just his conquests on the battlefield but also his unbreakable spirit and devotion to his people and country. As fans get ready to see this epic story unfold on the big screen, Chhaava is set to be both a salute to a lost hero and a lesson in survival and sacrifice. Are you going to watch it?
