✅ Chhaava (2025) is a Hindi historical action film based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, starring Vicky Kaushal and directed by Laxman Utekar.

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7.4/10

Chhaava

Director: Laxman Utekar

Writer: Laxman Utekar, Rishi Virmani, Kaustubh Savarkar

Stars: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Rashmika Mandanna

Plot: A historical drama based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Countries: India

Languages: Hindi

IMDb: View on IMDb

Chhaava (2025) – Movie Overview & Analysis-BollyFlix

Movie Details 

• Full Name: Chhaava (2025) (transl. Lion cub)
• Language: Hindi
• Budget: ₹130–140 crore (approx. US$15.5-16.7 million)
• Revenue: ₹783–807.40 crore (approx. US$93-96 million) worldwide
• Runtime: 161 minutes (2 hours 41 minutes)
• Release Date: February 14, 2025 (Theatrical Release, Standard and IMAX formats)
• Genres: Historical, Action, Drama
• Cast: Vicky Kaushal (Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj), Akshaye Khanna (Aurangzeb)…
• Directors: Laxman Utekar
• Screenplay: Laxman Utekar, Rishi Virmani, Kaustubh Savarkar, Unman Bankar, Omkar Mahajan
• Story by: Based on the Marathi novel “Chhava” by Shivaji Sawant
• Dialogues by: Rishi Virmani, Irshad Kamil
• Studios & Producers:
  • Production Company: Maddock Films
  • Producer: Dinesh Vijan
• Voice Cast: N/A
• Animation & Style: Live-action, Period Drama
• Music: A. R. Rahman (Songs and Background Score)
• Cinematography: Saurabh Goswami
• Editor: Manish Pradhan

SCREENSHOT

Plot Summary

“Chhaava” is a historical action film based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (Vicky Kaushal), the son and successor of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and the second ruler of the Maratha Empire. Following the death of Shivaji Maharaj, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb (Akshaye Khanna) believes the Maratha Confederacy will collapse. However, Sambhaji quickly takes charge, leading a fierce resistance against the Mughal expansion. The film depicts his strategic brilliance, including a surprise attack on Burhanpur, and his implementation of guerrilla tactics that inflict heavy losses on Aurangzeb’s forces. Amidst external conflict, Sambhaji also faces internal conspiracies from his stepmother Soyarabai, who attempts to usurp his throne. The film showcases Sambhaji’s unwavering resolve to protect Swaraj (self-rule), his personal sacrifices, and his enduring defiance against Aurangzeb, even in the face of immense personal losses and betrayals.

Cast & Crew

Critical & Audience Response

“Chhaava” received mixed reviews from critics. Vicky Kaushal’s performance as Sambhaji Maharaj was universally lauded as one of his finest, showcasing his physical transformation and commanding screen presence. The film was praised for its grand scale, well-choreographed action sequences, and the impactful climax. However, some critics found the first half lacking in engaging character development or world-building beyond the historical reverence, with certain songs feeling out of place. The film also drew some controversy for historical inaccuracies. Despite mixed reviews, “Chhaava” was a massive commercial success, earning over ₹783 crore worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 and an all-time top-grossing Hindi film. Audience response was largely positive, appreciating the historical narrative and Vicky Kaushal’s portrayal.

Direction & Cinematography

Laxman Utekar’s direction brings the historical epic to life on a grand canvas, with a focus on delivering a larger-than-life appeal. The film’s cinematography by Saurabh Goswami is visually stunning, capturing the grandeur of the 17th-century Maratha era and enhancing the scale of battle sequences and dramatic moments. The efforts in historical research and recreation of historical sites like the Raigarh Fort are evident in the film’s visual authenticity.

Music & Background Score

The music and background score by A. R. Rahman are a significant aspect of “Chhaava.” While some felt certain songs like “Jaane Tu” sounded too contemporary for the period, the overall score effectively drives the narrative, especially in the action and emotional sequences. The thrilling background score significantly elevates the impactful dialogues and war scenes.

Visuals & Special Effects

“Chhaava” boasts impressive visuals and special effects that contribute to its grand scale. The film’s war and action sequences are well-choreographed and executed, appearing convincing and grand on the big screen. The production design, with meticulous recreation of historical settings, enhances the immersive experience of the 17th-century Maratha period.

Editing & Screenplay

Manish Pradhan’s editing ensures a runtime of 161 minutes. While the first half faced some criticism for pacing, the second half was widely praised for picking up pace, getting emotions right, and keeping the audience on edge, particularly leading up to the thrilling climax. The screenplay aimed to highlight Sambhaji’s bravery and leadership, despite historical complexities and political intrigues.

Positives / What Works

“Chhaava” excels with Vicky Kaushal’s monumental performance, grand scale action sequences, strong supporting cast performances (especially Akshaye Khanna), impactful dialogues, and a powerful climax. The film’s ability to inspire and portray a significant historical figure resonated deeply with audiences, leading to its massive box office success.

Negatives / What Doesn’t Work

Some critics pointed out that the first half of the film could be monotonous and lacked deeper character development. The historical accuracy also drew some controversy, and a few felt that A.R. Rahman’s music sometimes felt out of place or overpowered the narrative. Rashmika Mandanna’s performance faced some criticism for language and accent.

Final Verdict / Conclusion

“Chhaava” is a monumental historical action drama, driven by a career-defining performance from Vicky Kaushal. Despite some narrative inconsistencies and controversies, its grand scale, thrilling action, and inspiring portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj have made it a major commercial success and a significant cinematic event in 2025. It is a must-watch for those interested in Indian history and large-scale period films.

Movie Rating

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