"Chhaava" is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language historical action film that tells the story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the second ruler of the Maratha Empire and son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, the movie stars Vicky Kaushal as Sambhaji Maharaj, Rashmika Mandanna as his wife Yesubai, and Akshaye Khanna as the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The film is based on the Marathi novel "Chhava" by Shivaji Sawant.
Cast:
- Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj
- Rashmika Mandanna as Yesubai Bhonsale
- Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb
- Ashutosh Rana as Hambirrao Mohite
- Divya Dutta as Soyarabai
- Vineet Kumar Singh as Kavi Kalash
- Diana Penty as Zinat-un-Nissa Begum
- Santosh Juvekar as Rayaji Malge
Release: "Chhaava" was released in theaters on February 14, 2025, in both standard and IMAX formats. The film achieved significant commercial success, grossing ₹288.42 crore worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025.
Production: Pre-production began in April 2023, with principal photography starting in October 2023 and concluding in May 2024. The filmmakers conducted extensive research to accurately depict the 17th-century Maratha era, visiting historical locations such as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Ratnagiri, Pune, Nashik, and Paithan. Costume designer Sheetal Sharma sourced traditional Paithani sarees and restored 500-year-old borders for Rashmika Mandanna's portrayal of Yesubai. The production design team recreated period-specific jewelry and weaponry, including the iconic sword Bhavani, to ensure historical accuracy.
Music: The film's music and background score were composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Irshad Kamil and Kshitij Patwardhan. The soundtrack features seven tracks, including "Jaane Tu" sung by Arijit Singh and "Aaya Re Toofan" performed by A. R. Rahman and Vaishali Samant. The album was released on February 13, 2025.
Trailer: The official trailer for "Chhaava" was released on January 22, 2025, offering a glimpse into the film's portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's life and battles.
For a visual preview, you can watch the official trailer below:
