“Chhava” is a 2025 grand historical action film based on the life of Maratha emperor Sambhaji Maharaj. Inspired by Shivaji Sawant’s famous Marathi novel ‘Chhava’, the film is directed by Laxman Utekar, while produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films. Vicky Kaushal plays the role of Sambhaji Maharaj in the film, while Rashmika Mandanna plays Yesubai and Akshaye Khanna plays an important role. The music is composed by A. R. Rahman, and the lyrics are written by Irshad Kamil and Kshitij Patwardhan.
This film shows the battle of the Maratha Empire after the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the bravery of Sambhaji Maharaj and his struggle against the Mughals. Based on historical facts, this story meticulously presents the events of power, politics, betrayal and war. The film was released in IMAX format on 14 February 2025, receiving positive response from the audience. Although some critics raised disputes over historical facts, the performances of Vicky Kaushal and Akshaye Khanna were highly appreciated.
News of Shivaji Maharaj’s death reaches the court of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. His advisors believe that the Maratha empire will now be weakened, but Aurangzeb, who considered Shivaji a strong rival, orders celebrations. However, the command of the Marathas was now in the hands of Sambhaji Maharaj. Soon, the Maratha army suddenly attacked Burhanpur, an important administrative center of the Mughals. Khan Zaman, leading the Mughal army, had no answer to this attack.
During the battle, Sambhaji falls into a secret chamber where he is attacked by a lion. But with his bravery, he defeats the lion with his own hands and returns to the battlefield and defeats Khan Zaman. The Maratha army captures the Mughal treasury, making Aurangzeb realise that Maratha power is still unbreakable. Following this, Aurangzeb launches a massive military campaign.
Meanwhile, Sambhaji is reunited with his wife Yesubai, but conspiracies begin to take place in the Maratha court. His stepmother Soyarabai and other conspirators plan to make Rajaram the king, but their plot is exposed and the traitors are crushed under the elephant’s feet.
The Mughal army repeatedly attacks Maratha territory, but Sambhaji inflicts heavy losses on them with his guerrilla warfare tactics. Aurangzeb’s daughter Zinat-un-Nissa tries to capture her brother Mirza Akbar, but the Maratha warriors thwart her. Meanwhile, some Maratha chieftains defect to the Mughals, weakening Sambhaji’s position.
Eventually, his location is discovered by his treacherous relatives and they ambush him. After a fierce battle, Sambhaji is captured. Aurangzeb offers them to convert to Islam, but they remain firm. They are subjected to terrible tortures—their fingernails are pulled out, their eyes are burnt with hot iron rods, their tongues are cut off, but they do not give up.
Eventually, he is brutally murdered. But his martyrdom does not go in vain. His wife Yesubai declares Rajaram as the king and the Maratha struggle continues. At the end of the film, it is shown that due to the struggle of the Marathas, the Mughal Empire gradually ends and Swaraj is established in India.
