I am a big fan of historical Bollywood dramas, and since the day Chhaava was announced, I was excited to watch it in the theatres. The movie promises grandeur, action, and drama, and delivers both on an emotional and visual level. Directed by Laxman Utekar, Chhaava is based on the popular novel Chhaava by Shivaji Sawant, highlighting the life and valor of the second Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. With such a powerful trailer launch, it was very unlikely to find an empty theatre seat on the first day of the release.
The Plot:
Set in the late 1600s, the film is about the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who is responsible for taking forward the legacy of his father, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj of expanding Swaraj. Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor, and his biggest nemesis look at the death of Shivaji Maharaj as an opportunity to recapture Deccan. However, the Maratha king stands in his way. Aurangzeb vows to only wear his crown when Sambhaji Maharaj is defeated. However, all of his plans are thwarted by the agitated Maratha forces. The movie also explores the themes of betrayal, friendships, and sacrifices as the events of Sambhaji Maharaj’s life unfold.
The Performances:
The biggest crowd-puller was the high-intensity performances by Vicky Kaushal(as Sambhaji Maharaj) and Akshaye Khanna(as Aurangzeb). Vicky has truly stepped into the shoes of the hero and immortalized the scenes with his dialogue deliveries and action sequences. His hunger for victory and justice was perfectly brought onto the big screen. Akshaye played Aurangzeb splendidly and gave a calm and spine-chilling performance of the notorious emperor. The face-offs between the two gave me goosebumps. Other actors such as Rashmika Mandhana(Queen Yeusbai) and Vineet Kumar Singh(Kavi Kalash) performed well and provided depth to the film.
Standout Elements:
The performances of the actors and the dialogue delivery were the biggest standout factors for the movie. Akshaye’s performance comes as a surprise and I appreciate the work he has put into portraying the devil Aurangzeb. Apart from the acting, the visuals steal the show. A lot of work has been put into the sets and the locations. Both the Maratha and Mughal courts depict the culture of that era. The VFX and the battle scenes are impressive and do not overshadow the main idea of the movie. A.R. Rahman’s tracks and the background music are thoughtful and elevate the scenes. Vicky’s larger-than-life portrayal of Sambhaji Maharaj does not disappoint and a lot of attention is paid to his attire, body language, and personality.
Should You Watch It?
Chhaava is definitely a must-watch if you love historical movies and high-intensity performances. The directors and the producers have left no stone unturned and given justice to an important topic. However, I feel more attention was given to battle scenes and wars and the drama takes a backseat after some time. The Maratha king was known for his political acumen and wisdom, which needed to be a part of the film. However, his fierce personality and Vicky’s powerful acting will keep you hooked to your seat till the end. The emotional scenes were executed perfectly. It’s been a long since Bollywood came up with such intense storytelling and action.