Based on Shivaji Sawant’s novel of the same name, the movie tells the story of Maratha warrior-king Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and the sacrifices he made to carry forward his father's mission of ‘Swaraj’. The film attempts to highlight his legacy of courage and resilience, which is often overshadowed by that of his legendary father.
Right from the onset, Chhaava makes it clear what it attempts to serve the audience- action and grandeur, seasoned with some drama and emotions. And despite some flaws, Laxman Utekar delivers a memorable big-screen experience that keeps you engaged, courtesy of the brilliant performances and compelling visual storytelling.
The historic drama opens with a regiment of Maratha soldiers, led by Sambhaji Maharaj, (Vicky Kaushal) attacking a Mughal outpost and emerging clinically victorious. The slo-mo shots, the dripping blood and close-up shots capturing the fire in the eyes, ensures that our protagonist gets a grand entry as he launches himself into the battle chopping heads and limbs of his enemies.
This sequence sets the tone for the rest of the film as it largely focuses on the repeated attempts of the Mughals, led by an old and ailing Aurangzeb (Akshaye Khanna) to end the Marathas; and the hidden enemies within Sambhaji’s court and family who keep hatching plots to topple him.
Director Laxman Utekar handles this ambitious project with great intent and sincerity, but the first half seems sketchy and all-over-the-place. The second half makes up for it as it is pacy and packed with innovative action sequences and whistle and applaud eliciting dialogues. However, with the story surfing between too many timelines and abruptly taking the audience back and forth, catching up with different characters and subplots becomes a task for the audience.
Kaushal portrays Sambhaji Maharaj with great intensity and earnestness. He delivers a performance for ages as he essays the character’s valour, vulnerability and emotional depth with utmost sincerity. Sambhaji is not just a warrior but also a son who often feels a pang of the absence of his parents, a leader who leads with his heart, and a king who is hurt and resented by the treacheries of his own people. Kaushal delivers it all, effortlessly. He has once again shown his range and cemented his place as one of the finest actors of our country in recent times.
Khanna’s presence as Aurangzeb is chilling. Shown as a man of a few words, he lets his 'surma' clad eyes do the talking and manages to create some stellar moments in the film. Especially the ones where he is shown obsessing over Chhaava(Lion's cub in Marathi) and is scheming to end him, showed his depth as an actor. Rashmika Mandanna, as Maharani Yesubai, does her best to embody the emotional strength, fortitude and resilience of a queen anchoring her king. However, the abrupt character arc prevents her from showcasing her acting prowess and leave a major impact.
The cinematographers have done a fine job capturing the grandeur of the Maratha and Mughal Empires and the complicated battle sequences. The film's background score by AR Rahman is refreshing and complements the screenplay effectively but is too loud, even making the dialogues inaudible at times.
Sambhaji’s execution in the climax is one of the most disturbing and violent sequences you will see in mainstream Hindi cinema. It will remind you of the brutality and torture showcased in Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ'. Although the scenes are the most important chapters of Sambhaji’s life and sacrifices, the gory visuals are not for the faint-hearted.
Having said that, the film is a great cinematic experience that relies on powerful performances and high-octane action sequences.
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