Chhaava (literally translated as “Lion’s Cub”)

Chhaava, a historical action film in Hindi, is slated to be released in India in 2025. The movie, which is based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji, the second Maratha Empire king, stars Vicky Kaushal as the hero. It is based on the Marathi novel Chhaava by Shivaji Sawant. The film, which is distributed by Maddock Films and was directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan, features significant performances by Rashmika Mandanna and Akshaye Khanna.
Pre-production began in April 2023, and filming began in October 2023 and ended in May 2024. Irshad Kamil and Kshitij Patwardhan penned the lyrics, while A.R. Rahman composed the soundtrack album and the film’s score. Both the regular and IMAX versions of Chhaava were released in theaters on February 14, 2025.

The plot.
News from Chhatrapati The Mughal Emperor’s court, Aurangzeb, learns of Shivaji Maharaj’s passing. When Aurangzeb’s advisors conclude that the Maratha resistance will be defeated, he plans a feast to commemorate the passing of a powerful foe. But Sambhaji, Shivaji’s son, has already assumed the position of leader.
The Marathas unexpectedly invade Burhanpur, a significant Mughal administrative and commercial hub. The attack overwhelms the ill-prepared Mughal defenders. Sambhaji confronts a lion head-on after falling into a pit during the fight.
Burhanpur, a key Mughal administrative and economic center, is suddenly attacked by the Marathas. The poorly planned Mughal defenders are overpowered by the attack. During the battle, Sambhaji falls into a pit and faces a lion head-on. He defeats the beast and kills it with his bare hands. The Marathas publicly reject imperial rule by seizing control of the Mughal treasury.

Sources in Delhi tell Aurangzeb that the Maratha opposition remains strong. Determined to crush them, he launches a massive military assault. Meanwhile, while conspirators attempt to place Rajaram, Sambhaji’s stepbrother, as heir, internal factionalism within the Maratha court is on the rise. After Aurangzeb’s invading army has committed atrocities, diplomatic negotiations begin when Mughal prince Mirza Akbar requests
After finding out about his stepmother Soyarabai’s and the prince’s secret communications, Sambhaji starts to doubt things. When the conspiracy to overthrow him is revealed, the traitors are executed by being crushed under the weight of an elephant. When Sambhaji realizes the Mughals have a larger army, he resorts to guerrilla warfare. The Deccan’s challenging topography causes the Mughal army to suffer significant losses.

Even as his difficulties increase, Aurangzeb vows to remain crownless until he defeats Sambhaji. His daughter Zeenat-un-Nissa attempts to capture her brother, who has become estranged from him.
After his death, Rajaram seizes the kingdom, but the resistance persists. The film concludes with the eventual Maratha victory as the Mughal Empire collapses within three decades, paving the way for Indian self-rule.
Rajaram takes the kingdom after his death, and the resistance keeps going. As the Mughal Empire falls within three decades, opening the door for Indian self-rule, the movie ends with the eventual Maratha victory.

Cast chhaava.
Vicky Kaushal portrays Yesubai Bhonsle, while Akshaye Khanna plays Rashmika Mandanna Aurangzeb in the role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

Ashutosh Rana Mohite as Hambirrao; Diana Penty as Zeenat-un-Nissa Begum; and Divya Dutta as Soyarabai.
Vineet Kumar Singh as Kavi Kalash
Santosh Juvekar portrays Raiji Malge, Kiran Karmarkar Sachiv plays Alok Nath Annaji Datto as Mhaloji, Balaji Manohar A. George plays Mukarrab Khan as Dharau, and Neelkanth Patekar plays Raiji Malge.
Sarang Sathaye’s portrayal of Ganoji Shirke
Suvrat Joshi’s portrayal of Shirke Kanhoji
Anil Sharma’s portrayal of Ankit Santaji Ghorpade
Ashish Pathode’s portrayal of Antaji Mankeshwar as Dhanaji Jadhav and Gandhe Shubhankar Ekbote
Dhanaji Jadhav, played by Shubhankar Ekbote
Bahadur Khan, played by Siraj Mustafa
Bahirji Naik, played by Shivraj Valwekar
Balaji, played by Manoj Kolhatkar As Surya, Avaji Chitnis Astad Kale
Ikhlas Khan, played by Danish Pandor
Kakkar Khan, played by Rohit Pathak
Jhalad, played by Sanjeev Jaiswal
Khan, played by Sukhwinder Singh Zaman
As Shaukatuddin Ferozejang, Lavi Pajni
Prince Azzam, played by Trishan Singh
Sarja Khan, played by Rakesh Theraja
Rahulla Khan, played by Akshay Anand Kohli
Voice-over narration by Ajay Devgn

Production.
Development & Pre-Production.
“Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is rarely talked about, whereas Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is well-known. His life is unknown, despite his remarkable bravery and fighting prowess. I learned of Sambhaji Maharaj’s historical significance when I read about him during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that moment, I started writing, and the idea of Chhaava came to me.
In an India Today interview, Laxman Utekar
In 2021, Laxman Utekar approached producer Dinesh Vijan about working on a film starring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna. By December 2022, Utekar was working on a historical biopic on Chhaava. Main photography began in October 2023, pre-production began in April 2023, and the script was completed in January 2023.

Utekar and his colleagues visited ancient places including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ratnagiri, Pune, Nashik, and Paithan during their year-long study of the Maratha period in the 17th century. Costume designer Sheetal Sharma acquired authentic Paithani sarees and restored a 500-year-old border for Yesubai’s ensemble. Jewelry and weaponry were constructed using references from London museums. Vicky Kaushal’s portrayal of Sambhaji was based on historical statues and sculptures to guarantee accuracy. A.R. Rahman wrote the music.
Chhaava was formally announced on October 3, 2023, when Maddock Films revealed their upcoming slate, which included the film’s release date.

Casting & Filming
.
Vicky Kaushal was formally introduced as the lead in January 2023. This was his second collaboration with Utekar, after Zara Bachke and Zara Hatke. After four months of training in sword fighting and horseback riding, he put on 25 kg for the role. Rashmika Mandanna, Ashutosh Rana, and Divya Dutta joined the cast in October 2023. Anil Kapoor was first considered for Aurangzeb’s role, but Akshaye Khanna was ultimately selected.
Principal photography concluded in May 2024.

Marketing & Release.
Before the Stree 2 preview, which was released on August 19, 2024, the movie’s teaser was aired. On January 22, 2025, the trailer was released.
The film’s intended release date of December 6, 2024, was postponed to February 14, 2025.
Following criticism of the Lezim dance by a number of Maharashtrian political figures, the filmmaker decided to delete a scene in which Chhatrapati Sambhaji and his wife were seen doing it.