Rating: 3.5/5
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna
Plot Overview:
Laxman Utekar’s Chhaava brings to life the saga of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (Vicky Kaushal), the valiant son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film chronicles his triumphs, his clashes with the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb (Akshaye Khanna), and his eventual tragic downfall. The story follows his military brilliance, his undying spirit, and the brutal torture he faced at the hands of his enemies. Rashmika Mandanna plays Maharani Yesubai Bhonsale, while Divya Dutta, Ashutosh Rana, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Diana Penty round out the ensemble cast.
What Works for Chhaava
Vicky Kaushal’s Powerhouse Performance: The film is a one-man show, and Kaushal dominates every frame. His fierce intensity, emotional depth, and physically commanding presence make Sambhaji Maharaj’s story come alive with raw energy.
Spectacular Action & War Sequences: The battle scenes are grand and meticulously choreographed, offering a thrilling cinematic experience. The 50-minute-long climax is brutal, gripping, and arguably the best part of the film.
Impressive Direction & Cinematography: Laxman Utekar infuses the film with a deep reverence for Maratha history. The visuals are stunning, capturing both the beauty and bloodshed of the era with equal finesse.
Strong Villainous Presence: Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb is menacing and ruthless, adding a formidable counterpoint to Kaushal’s heroism.
What Doesn’t Work for Chhaava
Underwhelming Music & Background Score: The film’s soundtrack fails to leave a lasting impact, and the background score often feels overdramatic, at times overpowering the storytelling.
Editing Could Have Been Tighter: Certain portions drag, particularly in the first half, making the narrative feel slower than necessary. Sharper editing could have enhanced the pacing significantly.
Rashmika Mandanna’s Dialogue Delivery: While she looks the part, Rashmika struggles with dialogue delivery, making some of her emotional scenes feel rehearsed rather than organic.
Visual Effects Shortcomings: For a film of this scale, the VFX work could have been much better, especially in large-scale battle sequences where CGI inconsistencies are noticeable.
Performances in Chhaava
Vicky Kaushal as Sambhaji Maharaj: He delivers a career-defining performance, bringing the warrior prince’s valor, pain, and resilience to life. His monologues and battle cries will leave a lasting impression.
Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb: He exudes an icy menace, making Aurangzeb one of the most detestable antagonists in recent historical cinema.
Rashmika Mandanna as Maharani Yesubai Bhonsale: While confident in her screen presence, her dialogue delivery weakens the impact of her character.
Strong Supporting Cast: Ashutosh Rana, Vineet Kumar Singh, Divya Dutta, and Diana Penty lend credibility to their roles, enriching the film’s overall texture.
Final Verdict of Chhaava
Chhaava is an ambitious attempt at telling the story of one of India’s greatest unsung warriors. Despite flaws in pacing, sound design, and screenplay depth, the film thrives on Vicky Kaushal’s magnetic performance, breathtaking battle sequences, and grand visual storytelling. It is a film that deserves to be experienced on the big screen, especially for history and war-film enthusiasts.
Viewer Discretion Advised: The climax features intensely brutal sequences that might not be suitable for the faint-hearted.
Chhaava is now playing in theatres. Are you ready to witness the roaring saga of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj? Let us know your thoughts!
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