Watching a historical movie on Valentine’s Day wasn’t on my 2025 Bingo card, but Chhaava made that possible, and how. After 2 hours and 35 minutes, all I could do was applaud director Laxman Utekar for making a daring film based on a character unknown to the audience. But did Utekar succeed in adapting the story of Chhava, a book by Shivaji Sawant? Read our review of Chhaava to know why you shouldn’t miss out on this movie.

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Who was Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj?

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s son, Chhatrapati Sambhaji, created history after his father’s death. The kingdom was thrilled by his strength and bestowed on him the title Chhaava, a lion’s cub. Soon, Sambhaji inherited the Maratha throne and aimed to fulfil his late father’s dream of expanding the kingdom. However, his father’s second wife, Soyrabai, wanted her 10-year-old son, Ram Rajee, to inherit the crown. To do this, she made an alliance with the Maratha empire’s enemy, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Her betrayal increased the hatred between the two empires, leading to several battles. While Sambhaji retained his rule for a considerable time, he fought bravely against Mughal rule.

What makes Chhaava a must-watch?

The story might be compelling, but direction is the real deal in any film adaptation. And Chhaava proves it. With a top-notch background score and VFX, the movie delivers what it promised in its trailer. However, Chhaava‘s action sequences during the story’s buildup felt extended and overdone. The film picks up soon after, giving you several heart-pounding moments. Wait for the forest battle to see Vicky Kaushal’s charismatic presence. Chhaava is heavy on action, as historical dramas are meant to be but the emotional bits keep you involved.

The star-studded cast of Chhaava

The movie casts Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb. Vicky’s roaring performance and fierce action moves will keep you hooked. His flawless acting, intense look, and remarkable aura make him the perfect choice for this role. While the movie’s promotions highlighted Vicky’s presence, Akshaye’s role came as a pleasant surprise, in the best manner. Chhaava marks Akshaye’s comeback, and watching this seasoned actor bring versatility to the big screen is nothing but a treat for the audience.

Chhaava also features Ashutosh Rana as Sarlashkar Hambirrao Mohite, the commander-in-chief of the Maratha army. His scenes with Sambhaji reveal a heartwarming bond between them. Rashmika Mandanna plays Yesubai Bhonsale, Chhatrapati Sambhaji’s wife. She delivers a decent performance but fails to impress as she lacks the depth needed for the role. Supporting actors including Divya Dutta, Diana Penty, Neil Bhoopalam, and Vineet Kumar Singh were spectacular in their respective roles.

Chhaava is now in cinemas.

Can you watch Chhaava with your family?: Absolutely. The film doesn’t contain any sexual content or obscene language.

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