Bollywood’s about to do what our teachers couldn’t – bring a hot chunk of history to life, minus the boring textbook treatment. Hello ‘Chhaava’, where Vicky Kaushal swaps his military uniform for a royal Maratha armor, and trust us, this isn’t your average period drama.
You’ve probably heard of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj , but his son, Sambhaji Maharaj? That’s where most of us draw a blank shot. Director Laxman Utekar had the same thought during the pandemic when he wasn’t busy making coffee like the rest of us. Instead, he came upon this incredible story and thought, “Hold up, why isn’t anyone talking about this guy?”
“During the pandemic (COVID-19), 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.”
-Laxman Utekar, during an interview with India Today.
Set to hit theaters on February 14, 2025 (yes, they’re making Valentine’s Day historical this time), Chhaava promises to be less about love letters and more about sword fights. Vicky Kaushal, our man who made “How’s the Josh” a catchphrase, is stepping into the shoes of Sambhaji Maharaj, also known as Shambhuraje. And let us tell you, this role took more than just growing a beautiful beard.
Vicky was learning sword fighting, horse riding, and probably how to look majestic while doing both at the same time. The film, adapted from Shivaji Sawant’s Marathi novel ‘Chhava’, chronicles Sambhaji’s rule from 1681 to 1689.
But hey, there’s more! Rashmika Mandanna brought her signature charm to the historical drama ( sadly, no “Saami Saami” dance numbers here). There’s Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb, looking so stunning that fans are doing double-takes, wondering if they accidentally walked into an Amitabh Bachchan movie. One fan actually wrote, “Why did he give me Amitabh Bachchan vibes at first glance?” Well, friend, great minds think alike!
The film’s marketing team has been dropping character posters like they’re hot, and each one has sent social media into a tizzy. Vicky’s fierce battlefield look had fans reaching for their inhaler, while when Rashmika’s poster dropped, and Twitter did what Twitter does best – couldn’t decide whether to love it or hate it. Classic internet behavior, really.
But here’s the real tea: Chhaava isn’t just another historical drama where horses gallop in slow motion and every dialogue is delivered with earth-shattering intensity. This isn’t just about battles and politics (though there’s plenty of that). It’s about a son trying to live up to his father’s legacy while basically having the entire Mughal Empire breathing down his neck.
The trailer, which dropped on January 22, 2025, has already sparked heated debates. Some fans are convinced Vicky Kaushal is the reincarnation of Sambhaji Maharaj himself, while others think his performance needs more masala. But hey, when was the last time a historical film didn’t divide the internet? It’s practically a tradition at this point.
What makes Chhaava interesting is its timing. In an era where historical films often become battlegrounds for heated debates, director Utekar seems to be focusing on the human story behind the legend. It’s not just about the battles and politics – it’s about a son stepping into his father’s shoes, facing impossible odds, and leading his people during one of the most turbulent periods in Indian history.
For those wondering if this is going to be another three-hour history lesson, fear not. The makers promise a “stirring tale”. And given that it’s releasing on Valentine’s Day, maybe there’s a love story tucked in there somewhere, though probably with more sword fights than candlelight dinners.
So, mark your calendars for February 14, 2025. While others are planning romantic dinners, you can watch Vicky Kaushal carry his inner Maratha warrior.
Because sometimes, the best stories in history aren’t the ones we already know – they’re the ones waiting to be told. Maybe we’ll all learn something about our history that doesn’t involve cramming dates and battle names.
At the very least, we’ll get to see what might be the most impressive mustache in recent Bollywood history. And honestly? Ticket’s worth it for that.
