Chhaava Movie Review: Vicky Kaushal Impresses, Akshaye Khanna Shines in Imperfect Biopic

Chhaava Movie Review: At some point in Chhaava, Vicky Kaushal seems to be completely possessed by the feverish fervour towards Swaraj. He keeps fighting the enemy single-handed so long as his men have fallen; finally, the film comes to life. Unfortunately, the path to that kind of high has proved to be an uneven one, and patience has been tested.

About Chhaava

Directed by Laxman Utekar, it revolves around the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha empire-Shambhaji Maharaj played by Vicky. He is pushing back as Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb (Akshaye Khanna) is expanding his territory. Their conflict reaches a crescendo as Aurangzeb takes a vow to only wear his crown once Sambhaji is defeated. 'Apne poore khandaan ki laash par khade hokar humne yeh taaj pehna tha' (I wore this crown standing on the bodies of my whole family) he says. The rest of the story can be found in the film.

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Laxman's material is from the novel Chhaava, authored by Shivaji Sawant. There's an interesting curiosity with the film out of the gate: it has war cries, and the scale, the ambition-every single box otherwise checklist of a war drama is ticked off. The makers don't miss making frames as grand as they can. The authenticity of props is just as good.

What works and what doesn't

The connection is lacking during the whole first half. Epic big caption fills frame, but feels nothing. Vicky arrives like a thunder away when he bursts into action as the invincible Sambhaji and saves a child in the middle of a battle, but still, you wait to be hit by emotions. The action sequences get a little over, bordering on boredom.

Good performances, thankfully, are leading Chhaava in the right direction. Akshaye, as Aurangzeb, is menacing and it’s only upon his arrival that things get interesting.

Without a doubt, Vicky has also really committed himself, stepping into the shoes of Sambhaji. From his walk to his larger-than-life aggression, he is convincing. The impressive parts are retained for that spectacular final hour. Vicky is phenomenal, especially in confrontation with Akshaye.

Akshaye has lots of authority on the screen and seduces with his eyes. The aftereffects of a bruised ego by Sambhaji's refusal to surrender can be read on his aged but cute with prosthetics face by DA Makeup Lab.

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Women play an integral part in the creation of Chhaava. But they hardly get time on screen. Rashmika Mandanna as Yesubai does adequate emoting when required but her accent is hit and miss. Diana Penty as Zeenat is wanted little more menace. Divya Datta's Soyrabai gets a meaty role in terms of quality but has very low screen time. Her negative turn could have done much more.

This film was supposed to have fewer drawn out fights and more the kind of tension that these two characters just talking in a room would create. Chhaava could have been a clutter breaker-by not being a film where the war cries were needed every five minutes. It does not really rise above that.

Viineet Kumar Singh makes a close scream to what he got as Kavi Kalash. Irshad Kamil, credited along with him for the poems, is obviously the man behind this beautiful poetry. The music by AR Rahman does not stand out but background scores well.

To sum it up

On the whole, Chhaava has the potential of a mighty tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Sambhaji. Poor editing stands between it and that goal, as does the over-the-top superherofication of the Maratha ruler. The film connects to the extent we see him humanized.

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