Chhaava REVIEW: Vicky Kaushal roars as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in his biopic; Akshaye Khanna’s brutal act & Rashmika Mandanna’s vulnerability shines bright

Film:
Chhaava

Director: Laxman Utekar

Writers: Laxman Utekar, Rishi Virmani, Kaustubh Savarkar, Unman Bankar and Omkar Mahajan

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, Viineet Kumar Siingh, Divya Dutta and Ashutosh Rana

Runtime: 2 hours, 41 minutes

Platform: In theatres

Chhaava Review

A cinematic spectacle of valour and vengeance, Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava is nothing short of a masterpiece that will give you goosebumps every time you watch him on-screen as a Maratha warrior. The story begins to bring to life the awe-inspiring legacy of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

It is adapted from Shivaji Sawant’s acclaimed Marathi novel. The story will take you to the epic war times in history when it was Mugal’s rule and how Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s vision of SWARAJ is carried by his eldest son, also known as Shambhuraje, who was the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, ruling from 1681 to 1689. Later he also became the founder of the Maratha kingdom.

The story has an internal conflict too, as Soyarabai wanted Rajaram, the second son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, to be the leader.  This historical epic immerses the audience in a grand saga of war, betrayal, and unwavering defiance against the mighty Mughal empire. What will keep you hooked is Ajay Devgn’s narration of the story and Vicky Kaushal’s action, diction, and dialogue. His presence on screen will also make you realise that as a warrior you have to fight but the humanness inside you is always alive.  The end scene of the story is worth watching; it sums up the entire story well.

What Works

The raw intensity and ferocity that Vicky Kaushal towers within his performance. He embodies Sambhaji Maharaj and showcases both the commanding and emotional resonance of the character. His battle sequences exude larger-than-life energy, making every strike and every war cry a moment of pure cinematic adrenaline.

What adds the cherry to the cake is maestro A.R. Rahman’s musical brilliance. His music just elevates the grandeur of the narrative, blending haunting melodies with thunderous war anthems and giving depth to the film’s emotional arcs.

Director Laxman Utekar orchestrates large-scale combat with an operatic flair, making every frame feel like a moving painting. The film creates a vivid picture of the war era with its stunning images, painstaking set design, costumes and battle choreography. 

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Technical Analysis

From grand fortresses to blood-soaked battlefields, the production design is immersive, capturing the essence of the Maratha and the Mughal era. The cinematography done by Saurabh Goswami smoothly shifts between grand battle scenes and close-up emotional moments, highlighting both the scale of the war and the personal struggles of the characters.

The background music, visuals, and overall feel edited by Manish Pradhan are absolutely epic and will give you goosebumps, especially the lion scene where he fights like a true warrior. 

Star Performances

Talking about the star performances, Vicky Kaushal infuses the role with both physical grit and regal charisma, portraying the warrior king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. His unwavering spirit with an arresting screen presence is a must-watch.

On the other hand, the graceful yet fierce Rashmika Mandanna as Maharani Yesubai brings poise to the narrative, though her character arc could have been more fleshed out.

The other person who rules the screen with his presence is Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb. He is a strong character but not given enough importance in the overall story.

Other supporting characters—Ashutosh Rana as Sarsenapati Hambirao Mohite, Divya Dutta as Soyarabai, Vineet Kumar Singh as Kavi Kalash and Diana Penty as Zinat-un-Nissa Begum—deliver layered performances that enrich the film’s historical fabric.

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Conclusion

Director Laxman Utekar has done justice to the story and this will truly be a masterpiece of cinema. Chhaava is a visually stunning war epic that thrives on its grand battles and Vicky Kaushal’s electrifying portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The film’s grand scale, stunning action, and powerful music make it a fitting tribute to one of India’s greatest warriors.

Agar Shivaji ko ‘SHER’ khete hai, toh uske beta ‘CHHAAVA’ he ho sakte hai. With this, we conclude that it’s a must-watch for history and action enthusiasts alike.

Watch the trailer of Chhaava here:

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