Chhaava

First, let me clarify - I'm not undermining the efforts of the actors. Vicky Kaushal is an absolute delight to watch, and he truly looks the part. There's no doubt he has completely embodied the essence of the character - he feels like fire, water, earth, and air all at once. His portrayal is exactly what this role needed.

However, here's what didn't work for me:

• Lack of Memorable Characters - Apart from Kavi Kalash (played brilliantly by Vineet Kumar Singh), there aren't any other standout characters. The film needed more people we could connect with and care about.

• Casting of Yesubai - Rashmika Mandanna might visually fit the role, but let's be honest-this character should have been played by a Marathi actress. The fact that the makers chose a non-Hindi (let alone non-Marathi) speaking actor suggests they prioritized mass appeal over authenticity and storytelling.

• Background Score - I didn't even realize A. R. Rahman composed the music until I heard his signature cooing mid-film. And honestly, that realization left me disappointed. The background score wasn't always impactful, and at times, it was so loud that it drowned out the dialogues.

• Guerilla Warfare Strategy? - When Sambhaji Maharaj discusses his guerrilla tactics against the Mughals, the scene feels more like exaggerated jingoism rather than actual strategic planning. Was there really no better historical documentation to flesh out this sequence with more authenticity? Instead, whatever the characters predict in that scene unfolds exactly over the next 40 minutes, making the whole sequence feel simplistic and underdeveloped.

- Dialogue & Screenplay Issues - For a good portion of the film, I barely felt there were any dialogues! It was mostly background music filling in the gaps, seemingly covering up weak writing. The first 120 minutes felt like a prolonged setup, leading to the torture sequence - which, while impactful, doesn't make up for the lack of depth in the earlier part of the movie.

Final Thoughts

Brilliant acting, but that's about it. I felt the same way after watching Sam Bahadur - where key moments of strategy and planning were rushed through a poorly placed song. Instead of truly experiencing the peak of the story, we're only shown it from a distance and told, "This is where we're going," but never actually taken there. That's Chhaava in a nutshell-visually striking, but ultimately unsatisfying.

While the movie is based on the book, the events could have been portrayed with a much better screenplay and some better music. Overall the movie is good but there were many parts that could have been acted well.

Screenplay suffers in many areas before and after interval where it slows down the pace of thw film. Dialogue should have been strong enough and music should have elevated the actions performed by the actors. But Rahman added much of the regular average music to this movie with some romantic music to some songs that is generally given to romantic movie songs.

It was the best opportunity he could have used to come back with equal or greater music composition on par with Jodha Akbar that he gave. But it falls much below average. Directors needed to focus more on editing and screenplay skills. Story telling was quiet good. The movie elevated well from the moment he had to fight and get captured till the very end.

It was directed more like a TV serial budget direction. Movies will need much better skills to make it a perfect cut.

The movie was good; the acting from everybody was top-notch except for Rashmika; every time she's on the screen, you'd wanna scroll through Instagram reels instead of watching her. Best thing about this movie is Akshay Khanna as Aurangzeb. Vicky's casting as ShambhaJi was Excellent too but his voice wasn't to the mark for the role, he lacked heaviness and bass in his voice which makes his dialogues a little less energetic and enthusiastic. Over-all it was one time kinda watch. CLIMAX WAS EXCELLENT THO. But expected way too much from this movie, I dont think it'd leave a mark on People's heart. Plus it'd have been better if the director had casted someone else instead of Rashmika. She's just awful. She can't act. She shouldn't be in bollywood or maybe she shouldn't do roles that require ACTING cause she can't act.

Laxman Utekar's Chhaava focuses on the Battle of Burhanpur and its impact on the Maratha-Mughal war, rather than being a complete biopic of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The first half of the film struggles with pacing, but the second half gains momentum, leading to an intense and emotionally charged climax. The confrontation between Sambhaji Maharaj and Aurangzeb, particularly the exchange between Vicky Kaushal and Vineet Kumar, stands out as one of the film's most powerful moments. The battle sequences are well-executed, but the background score by A. R. Rahman lacks the necessary intensity to match the spirit of the Marathas. The action scenes are largely effective, though some exaggerated stunts and editing choices take away from the realism. Despite this, the film excels in its cinematography, costume design, and CGI, successfully recreating the historical setting.

The performances elevate the film. Vicky Kaushal delivers a commanding portrayal of Sambhaji Maharaj, capturing his strength, determination, and sacrifice, especially in the final moments. Akshaye Khanna leaves a strong impact as Aurangzeb, despite limited dialogue, while Rashmika Mandanna, though competent, feels miscast. Ashutosh Rana provides solid support, and Vineet Kumar stands out with his gripping screen presence. While the film has its shortcomings, it succeeds in honoring Sambhaji Maharaj's legacy, ensuring that his courage and sacrifice remain etched in the minds of the audience.

At its core, Chhaava is not just about a warrior-it's about the idea of resilience, sacrifice, and legacy. It's about what it means to fight for something greater than oneself. The film leaves the audience not just with admiration for Sambhaji Maharaj but with a deep respect for the ideals he stood for. It is a rare historical film that manages to entertain, educate, and inspire all at once. Whether you're a history enthusiast or just someone who loves a great story, this film is an absolute must-watch. Whether you're a history enthusiast or just someone who loves a great story, this film is an absolute must-watch.