Chaava,” which was released on February 14, 2025, is a historical action Hindi film directed by Laxman Utekar. Based on the Marathi novel “Chhava” by Shivaji Sawant, the film features Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Rashmika Mandanna as Yesubai, and Akshaye Khanna in an important role.
The music for “Chaava” is done by the famous A. R. Rahman, with the lyrics contributed by Irshad Kamil and Kshitij Patwardhan.
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Box Office Performance on Day 21
Despite having been on screens for 21 days, “Chaava” still has a robust box office performance.
Within its third Thursday, the movie had accumulated almost ₹5.35 crore in India alone, pushing its overall collection to almost ₹488 crore. Globally, it is anticipated to cross ₹660 crore, which makes it one of the biggest hits of the year.
Controversies Surrounding ‘Chaava
Notwithstanding its box-office success, “Chaava” has run into a series of controversies:
1- Historical Inaccuracies Concerns—
Some historians and kin of historical icons have faulted the film for its depiction of some events and personalities.
Historian Indrajit Sawant, for example, was subjected to threats and abuse after objecting to the film’s negative portrayal of Soyarabai Bhosale.
2—Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Portrayal
Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant targeted a dance number in the film trailer showing Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and accused that scene of being out of context for a historical icon.
As a result of it, the Maratha communities raised a protest regarding the erasure of that scene from the movie.
3 – Cultural Sensitivity Issues
The movie was also attacked for a scene in which Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and his wife dance the Lezim, a traditional Maharashtrian folk dance.
The critics believed that this representation insulted the historical figure as well as the cultural heritage of the dance.
Continued Box Office Success Amidst Controversy
In spite of the controversies, “Chaava” continues to have strong box office showings. The fact that the film has made so much money indicates that people have ignored the criticism and read the story anyway.
This demonstrates a complicated balance between artistic merit, historical detail, and appreciative audience.
Conclusion
“Chaava” highlights the challenges filmmakers face when depicting historical leaders and events, especially when these representations touch on cultural and political sensitivities.
Although the film has achieved remarkable commercial success, the controversies it has stirred remind us of the importance of being thoughtful and respectful when representing history on screen.
Overall, “Chaava” is a great movie that sheds light on aspects of history that have often been overlooked, making it a significant watch for audiences.