Chhaava Review Laxman Utekar’s Chhaava leaps from the pages of 17th-century Maratha history into the grand spectacle of Bollywood mythmaking.
Chronicling the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of the legendary Shivaji, the film aims for an epic tribute but is weighed down by its own excesses.
Chhaava Review
While Vicky Kaushal delivers a powerful performance and Akshaye Khanna impresses as the antagonist,
Chhaava ultimately struggles under the burden of its over-the-top execution.
A Film Overpowered by Its Own Grandeur
The title Chhaava, meaning “lion cub,” is taken quite literally in the film, manifesting in an endless parade of growls, scowls, and prolonged battle sequences.
The screenplay, credited to five writers including the director, grants Kaushal free rein to roar and soar.
His commanding screen presence is undeniable—his cries of “Jai Bhavani” resonate with echoes of Uri‘s iconic “How’s the josh?” However, even his gripping performance cannot conceal the film’s flaws.
A Blurred Line Between History and Hero Worship
The film blurs the line between historical authenticity and grandstanding heroism.
While adapted from Shivaji Sawant’s novel of the same name, Chhaava lacks the literary balance and nuance needed to bring its subject’s era to life.
Instead, it indulges in heightened drama and heavy-handed storytelling, making history feel more like legend than reality.
The film’s portrayal of Sambhaji as an almost superhuman warrior further detracts from its credibility.
Battles are exaggerated, with enemy soldiers conveniently attacking one at a time, allowing Sambhaji to effortlessly rip through his foes.
His heroic feats are never in doubt, but this one-dimensional depiction leaves no room for complexity or depth.
A Spectacle Without Subtlety
From Sambhaji’s pursuit of Swarajya to Aurangzeb’s ruthless ambition, Chhaava presents everything in broad strokes, devoid of subtlety.
It is excessively loud, graphically violent, and theatrically overblown.
The film revels in its grandiosity but forgets to ground itself in genuine emotion.
Despite the commendable production values—Saurabh Goswami’s cinematography,
intricate set designs, and well-choreographed action sequences—the film remains visually striking but emotionally hollow.
The declamatory storytelling style sacrifices human elements that could have added depth and resonance.
Characters Lost in the Spectacle
Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of Aurangzeb is one of the film’s few highlights, bringing an edge of menace to the aging emperor.
The supporting cast, including Rashmika Mandanna as Yesubai, Diana Penty as Aurangzeb’s daughter Zeenat,
and Ashutosh Rana as the loyal general Hambirao Mohite,
have moments of significance but remain overshadowed by the film’s larger-than-life portrayal of Sambhaji.
Even historical figures like Mirza Akbar (Neil Bhoopalam) and Kavi Kalash (Vineet Kumar Singh) struggle to make a lasting impact amid the film’s bombastic execution.
A Grand Tribute That Falls Short
Ultimately, Chhaava is a visually ambitious but narratively one-dimensional film.
It aims to honor Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj but does so through exaggerated spectacle rather than nuanced storytelling.
While Vicky Kaushal’s towering performance keeps the film from being a complete misfire, Chhaava never quite roars—it merely growls in excess.
If you seek a history lesson, this may not be the film for you. If you’re in for high-octane action and theatrical drama, Chhaava delivers—but at the cost of depth and subtlety.
