Vicky Kaushal's much-anticipated historical drama, Chhaava, is set to take the Indian box office by storm with its release on February 14, 2025. This film, based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, promises to not only entertain but also educate audiences about the valor and tumultuous life of the Maratha warrior who fiercely resisted the Mughal Empire.
Directed by Laxman Utekar and produced under Dinesh Vijan's banner Maddock Films, Chhaava has already generated considerable buzz with pre-sale bookings showing remarkable promise. Early reports suggest the film has crossed the Rs 11 crore mark just in advance bookings, positioning it as one of the strongest contenders for the biggest opening day for Bollywood film this year.
The film stars Vicky Kaushal as Sambhaji, Rashmika Mandanna as his wife Yesubai, and Akshaye Khanna portraying the infamous Aurangzeb. With its adaptation from Shivaji Sawant's celebrated Marathi novel, Chhava, Chhaava seeks to shed light on the largely underreported history of Sambhaji Maharaj, who ruled the Maratha Empire from 1681 until his capture and execution by the Mughals in 1689.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Utekar discovered Sambhaji's story and felt it was important to highlight the bravery and sacrifices he made for his kingdom. Speaking to India Today, Utekar said, "Everyone knows about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but no one knows about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. He had such great courage and was a great warrior, but sadly no one knows about it." This dedication to bringing lesser-known history to the forefront is evident throughout the film.
Despite the expectations, Chhaava will face stiff competition from the global phenomenon, Marvel's Captain America: Brave New World, which is also set to hit theaters on the same date. Box office predictions suggest Chhaava could earn between Rs 25-30 crore on its opening day, placing it on track to dethrone previous top Hindi openings, like Akshay Kumar's Sky Force, which opened at Rs 12.25 crore.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh noted the film's impressive advance sales figures, citing Tamil Nadu as the largest contributor with Rs 6.52 crore, followed closely by Karnataka and Delhi. Such pre-release strength hints at the potential for this film to capture significant box office grosses early on.
With Vicky Kaushal's increasing star power reflected in Chhaava's bookings, historical epics resonate strongly with Indian audiences, particularly those steeped in cultural narratives. This film is expected to evoke pride among viewers, as Sambhaji is regarded as a symbol of resistance against oppression.
Kaushal himself has shared insights on his collaboration with Mandanna, praising her professionalism during promotions. He commented, "Every person has an off day, sometimes... But she never shows it. She respects her professional atmosphere so much." Their chemistry is likely to garner audience interest, enhancing the film's appeal.
Nonetheless, the production has not been without its controversies. Recently, Sambhaji’s portrayal during scenes integrating traditional dances prompted criticism from cultural historians and descendants of the king. Responding to these concerns, director Utekar stated, “We thought of Maharaj as a 20-year-old... But if anyone is hurt by those dance moves or Lezim dance, we will remove them.” This sensitive approach to representation indicates the filmmakers' awareness of their cultural impact.
Looking at broader figures, Chhaava has set records for day one advance bookings, surpassing Hrithik Roshan’s Fighter with pre-sales reaching Rs 8.73 crore. The excitement and anticipation surrounding its opening could change the perception of February as typically unremarkable for Bollywood releases, potentially leading to it being one of the biggest hits of the year.
Vicky Kaushal’s track record for first-day collections has been steadily increasing; the potential for Chhaava to establish new milestones is considerable. His previous films—Uri: The Surgical Strike and Bad Newz—did not perform as well comparatively, paving the way for this film to take the lead. After its release, Kaushal is set to begin work on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War alongside stars like Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt.
Whether Chhaava will become Bollywood's biggest opener of 2025 remains to be seen, but with the historical significance it brings, alongside impressive pre-release hype, the film is more than just another box office entry; it is poised to be a cultural touchstone reflecting India's rich history and rich narratives of bravery.