Chhaava (2025) [Movie Review]: A Roaring Tribute with Fractured Beats

Heritage Reimagined

Inspired by Shivaji Sawant’s acclaimed Marathi novel Chhava, Chhaava follows Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (Vicky Kaushal) as he inherits his late father’s legacy, defending the Maratha Empire against the unyielding onslaught of Aurangzeb (Akshaye Khanna). Director Laxman Utekar, with co‑writers Rishi Virmani and Kaustubh Savarkar, elevates the source material into an expansive cinematic canvas—though not without a few stumbles.

Story & Pacing

The film opens with the shock of Shivaji Maharaj’s death, setting Sambhaji on a collision course with Mughal forces. Early action—led by Sambhaji’s daring raid on Burhanpur alongside Sersenapati Hambirrao Mohite (Ashutosh Rana)—promises high stakes, but the first half often feels like a patchwork of battle set‑pieces and misplaced songs rather than a cohesive narrative. Character motivations and world‑building are undercut by sudden tonal shifts and a sense that the script leans too heavily on mythic reverence.

Second Act Resurgence

Everything clicks once the second half kicks in. As Sambhaji weathers betrayals and counterattacks, the drama finds its groove, culminating in a fiercely choreographed climax where he stands alone against the Mughals. The writing sharpens, emotional beats land true, and the tension remains taut until the final frames—delivering the “lion’s cub” spectacle the story demands.

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Performances & Character Dynamics

Vicky Kaushal owns the role, channeling Sambhaji’s pent‑up fury and indomitable spirit with full‑throttle commitment. His transformation into a warrior king is nothing short of magnetic. Akshaye Khanna’s Aurangzeb offers a quietly menacing foil, his restraint lending weight to every exchange. Among the supporting cast, Vineet Kumar Singh shines as Kavi Kalash, his scenes with Kaushal providing some of the film’s most affecting moments. Conversely, the female leads—Divya Dutta’s Soyarabai, Rashmika Mandanna’s Yesubai, and Diana Penty—are short‑changed by limited screen time and uneven character development.

Music & Technical Craft

AR Rahman’s score oscillates between electrifying war cries and oddly modern interludes. While “Aaya Re Toofan” thunders with traditional dhol‑tasha energy, tracks like the romantic “Jaane Tu” feel jarringly anachronistic. Visually, the film excels: Arjun Deshmukh’s cinematography bathes hill‑forts and battlefields in brooding light, and Sanjay Rao’s action choreography brings grit to every sword clash.

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Final Verdict

Chhaava roars to life in its latter half, powered by a powerhouse lead performance and a stakes‑driven climax. Yet its uneven pacing and misplaced musical moments prevent it from fully honoring the novel’s depth. Still, for viewers craving patriotic fervor and riveting battlefield drama, this adaptation offers a compelling—and at times, electrifying—ride.

Rating: ★★★⯪ (3.5 / 5)