Highlights
Chhaava is a Hindi historical drama movie that tells the powerful story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj who was the courageous son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film takes us to the 17th-century Maratha Empire and narrates how intense battles were fought in the backdrop of family struggles and a collective fight for Swarajya (self-rule). With a big budget of ₹130 crore and a Valentine’s Day release, Chhaava is one of the most awaited films of 2025. For the unversed, the film is based on the Marathi novel by Shivaji Sawant. Vicky Kaushal plays the lead role of Sambhaji.
New Characters Unveiled in #Chhaava – A Saga of Valor & Legacy!
— Midst Live (@midstlive) February 13, 2025
Presenting the stellar additions to this grand historical epic:
– #DianaPenty as Shehzadi Zinat-un-Nissa
– #AshutoshRana as Sarlashakar Hambirao Mohitee
– #VineetKumarSingh as Chandogamatya Kavi Kalash
-… pic.twitter.com/vtTR04MxN6
Storyline:
Chhaava movie begins with an interesting battle scene. Sambhaji (played by Vicky Kaushal) leads his Maratha soldiers in an attack on a Mughal camp. He fights with a lot of courage and his intense action sequences show how fearless and strong he is.
The Mughals are led by the cruel Aurang (played by Akshaye Khanna) who wants to destroy the Marathas. His introduction scene shows how he has had a long-standing fight with Sambhaji’s father Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Aurang aims to destroy Sambhaji’s dream of swaraj (self-rule). Another Mughal prince, Aurang’s son Akbar (played by Neil Bhoopalam), is shown as less cruel than his father but weaker than Sambhaji to fight against his enemies.
However, Sambhaji leads his empire with grit and determination. At the same time, there are people in his own family who want to harm him. His scheming stepmother (played by Divya Dutta) and her friends secretly plan to take his power.
The film also shows Sambhaji’s family life. His loving wife (played by Rashmika Mandanna) welcomes him home after battles. She stands by him, even when there are many problems around them. She always expresses her empathy for Sambhaji’s enemies as they would be defeated by her husband. Sambhaji has a strong support system from his uncle (played by Ashutosh Rana) and his poet friend (played by Vineet Singh). They remain loyal to him till their death.
Chhaava is a story of bravery, loyalty, and sacrifice and takes us to the story of Sambhaji Maharaj who was a true lion’s cub who fought for his people and his land.
Chhaava Movie REVIEW
Positive Aspects:
The film Chhaava kept me hooked from start to finish as I was eager to see what would happen next throughout the film.The visuals, photography, and stunning scenery were of top quality. A. R. Rahman’s background music added power to every scene, thus making the emotions hit harder.
The dialogues written by Rishi Virmani were sharp and memorable. They added a lot of emotional depth to the story that surrounded around battles to attain Swarajya. I especially loved the conversations between Sambhaji and his loyal friend Chandogyamata Kavi Kalash, the poet with a warrior’s heart. Their bond was beautifully shown and I could connect with the emotions conveyed through their poems.
You have to watch the film to know why I found the moment when Sambhaji called Chandogyamata as the Tilak on his forehead as the most heartbreaking one. Their respect and understanding of each other was a deeply touching tribute to their friendship.
The dialogues between Sambhaji and Aurang were filled with raw hatred and intensity. Each line carried weight, showing their fierce battle of words, wanting to attain power, and different ideals. Sambhaji’s this dialogue to Aurang gave me goosebumps. “Maut ke ghungroo naachte hain hum, Aurang…hamari maut maratho ke har ghar ek naya Shiva…naya Sambha paida karegi lekin jab tu marega tab yeh teri mughal sultanat bhi mar jaayegi” (We dance with death, Aurang… our death will give rise to a new Shiva, a new Sambha in every Maratha home… but when you die, your Mughal empire will die with you).
These dialogues of Sambhaji to his people really made me feel like attending a Leadership Masterclass as they are too powerful and inspiring.
“Yeh sangram ek swaraj banane ka prayatna hain…swaraj har ek insaan ko surakshit rakhne ke liye ishwar ki iccha hain” (This battle is an effort to create Swaraj… It is God’s will to protect every person).
“Hume haraane wali har koshish ko maarenge…..har shadyantra ko todenge……Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ka sapna pura karke hi chodenge…Jai Bhavani” (We will crush every attempt to defeat us… break every conspiracy… and fulfill Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s dream… Jai Bhavani).
Negative Aspects:
he action and violent scenes in the movie Chhaava felt too long and made the film a bit exhausting to watch. The scene where Aurang tortures Sambhaji was especially hard to bear. I understand that the film needed to show the harsh reality of his sacrifice, but it felt too much to tolerate and hard to sit through. You would see how Sambhaji managed to use his sacrifices for Aurang’s ultimate downfall.
Performances:
Vicky Kaushal’s introduction with the line, “Sher nahi raha, lekin Chhaava abhi bhi jungle mein ghum raha hai”, flawlessly sets the tone for his fierce portrayal of Sambhaji. His performance, along with the strong supporting cast, brings out the pain, passion, and loyalty in every scene.
Throughout the entire film and even after, Vicky Kaushal’s powerful performance as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj stays with you, motivating you even after you leave the theatre. His hard work and dedication to the role are evident in every scene, making him truly deserving of several awards this year.
Divya Dutta despite her limited screen time has given an intense and memorable performance as Sambhaji’s stepmother whose decision to make her son the heir to Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy ensures to bring a twist in the story.
Verdict: 4/5
Chhaava kept me hooked with its gripping tale of bravery, friendship, and sacrifice with memorable performances of Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, and Vineet Kumar Singh. Despite the brutality, Chhaava is a recommended watch ONLY in theatres for bringing to life such a powerful historical story with intense emotions, grand stunning visuals, and soulful background music.
Cast & Crew
- Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, Ashutosh Rana, Divya Dutta, Vineet Kumar Singh, Diana Penty, Santosh Juvekar Produced By: Dinesh Vijan
- Directed By: Laxman Utekar
- Co-Producers: Sharada Karki Jalota, Pooja Prem Patheja Original Songs & Background Score: A R Rahman
- Adapted Story, Screenplay By: Laxman Utekar, Rishi Virmani, Kaustubh Savarkar, Unman Bankar, Omkar Mahajan
- Dialogue: Rishi Virmani
Don't miss out on the Latest Updates! Join our official WhatsApp channel and follow us on, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for Breaking News. Send a press release to us at: [email protected].
Follow Us