Story:
The Maratha Empire is rocked by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s death at the beginning of the movie. Following in his father’s footsteps, Sambhaji (Vicky Kaushal) boldly attacks Burhanpur, one of the most powerful forts built by the Mughals. Furious, Aurangzeb (Akshaye Khanna) views this as his opportunity to finally defeat the Marathas. However, Sambhaji’s military prowess keeps the powerful Mughal empire on edge. But an internal betrayal alters everything, and the enemy captures him as a result. The tale of defiance, selflessness, and unwavering bravery that unfolds is one that must be seen on a large screen.
Plus Points:
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is portrayed by Vicky Kaushal, who gives a dominant performance that reaches its climax. His passion, delivery of the dialogue, and on-screen persona enhance the movie and make it a historical delight.
Despite playing a little and brief role, Rashmika Mandanna plays her job well.
Ashutosh Rana, Divya Dutta, and Diana Penty all do a good job in their parts, and Akshaye Khanna is good as Aurangzeb.
Minus Points:
Despite the story’s great historical relevance, it could have been handled more skillfully. Although Laxman Utekar does a good job directing, the storyline could have been more incisive to keep viewers interested.
The war scenes in the second half could have been more compelling, while the first half feels rushed. The plot may have been further raised with a more intense emotional development of the internal betrayals and plots.
Only a handful of the diverse cast of characters receive the attention they merit. Although Shivaji Maharaj’s voiceover conveys his presence, a few images of him may have had a stronger emotional effect.
Despite being a good fit for the role of Aurangzeb, Akshaye Khanna is not given enough credit to make an impression. A more forceful depiction of his persona might have intensified the conflict.
Technical Aspects:
A more dynamic screenplay would have enhanced the experience, but Laxman Utekar portrays Sambhaji Maharaj’s bravery with sincerity. The speech by Rishi Virmani and Irshad Kamil is powerful, particularly in the climax, while AR Rahman‘s music is passable.
To maintain the pacing, editing should have been more precise, especially in the early half. The remarkable cinematography by Saurabh Goswami is effective but could have been more striking, and the superb production values lend visual majesty.
Conclusion:
Thanks to Vicky Kaushal’s outstanding performance and a masterfully handled climax, Chhaava is an overall watchable historical action drama. Its lengthy duration and sluggish storytelling, however, are disadvantages. The film is emotionally significant to people who honor the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj. For viewers in general, it’s a passable watch. You can give it a watch this weekend.
