“Chhaava,” released on February 14, 2025, directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, is a Hindi-language historical action drama that has taken Bollywood by storm. Starring Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, with Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, and a robust supporting cast including Ashutosh Rana and Divya Dutta, the film adapts Shivaji Sawant’s Marathi novel Chhava.

The storyline is a gripping plunge into the turbulent late 17th century, opening with the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1680. His son, Sambhaji (Kaushal), steps into a fractured Maratha Empire, facing a vengeful Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb (Khanna) hell-bent on crushing Deccan resistance. The narrative follows Sambhaji’s audacious raid on Burhanpur, igniting a war of attrition marked by guerrilla tactics, betrayal from within, and a brutal climax that mirrors his historical torture and execution in 1689. What elevates the plot is its balance of raw action and emotional depth—moments of father-son legacy, a warrior’s quiet doubts, and the cost of unrelenting courage. The film sidesteps dry history lessons for a visceral tale of defiance, with a climax so intense—Sambhaji battering foes single-handedly, then enduring Aurangzeb’s savagery—that it leaves you breathless. While some criticize its historical liberties, the story’s emotional heft and patriotic fervor make it a compelling tribute to a lesser-sung hero.

Vicky Kaushal’s performance is the film’s beating heart, a tour de force that redefines his stardom. As Sambhaji, he’s a lion unleashed—his physicality (honed through rigorous training) matched by a fiery spirit that roars in battle scenes and simmers in quieter exchanges. His improvised war cry—“Om Namah Parvati Partaye Har Har Mahadev”—in the final assault is a goosebump-inducing highlight, raw and unrehearsed, cementing his command of the screen. Critics and fans alike hail it as career-best, with posts on X calling him “a star reborn.” Akshaye Khanna, as Aurangzeb, is equally magnetic, his cold stares and understated menace a perfect counterpoint. Rashmika Mandanna, as Yesubai, brings grace to a limited but pivotal role, her ethereal presence grounding Sambhaji’s chaos. Vineet Kumar Singh’s Kavi Kalash surprises with depth, while Ashutosh Rana and Divya Dutta shine in smaller parts—though the latter’s scheming Soyrabai deserved more meat.

The film’s technical merits amplify its strengths. Saurabh Goswami’s cinematography paints battlefields and Maratha forts with grandeur, while A.R. Rahman’s score—though divisive—delivers soulful tracks like “Aaye Re Toofaan” and a rousing backdrop to the war sequences. The action, choreographed with brutal authenticity, avoids Bollywood excess, making every sword swing and ambush feel real. Yes, the first half drags at times, and the narrative skirts some historical nuances, but these fade against the second half’s relentless momentum and that shattering climax.

“Chhaava” isn’t perfect—its 161-minute runtime and occasional overreach test patience—but its positives outweigh the flaws. The storyline’s emotional resonance and Kaushal’s towering portrayal, backed by a stellar cast, make it a standout. It’s a historical epic that doesn’t just narrate Sambhaji’s legend; it makes you feel his fire. For Bollywood in 2025, it’s a benchmark of ambition and execution—a must-watch on the big screen.

Rating: 4/5

A fierce, heartfelt saga— “Chhaava” roars loudest when Kaushal and its story take center stage.