Vicky Kaushal's film 'Chhaava' has crossed the remarkable milestone of Rs 300 crore at the box office, showcasing its widespread popularity across India. Despite this commercial success, the film has ignited considerable controversy linked to its portrayal of historical figures, particularly Ganoji and Kanhoji Shirke, who were close allies of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
The depiction of these Maratha warriors has drawn ire from their descendants, who contend the film presents them as betrayals to Sambhaji, which they argue is not only misleading but damaging to their family's legacy. This has led the descendants, led by Laxmikant Raje Shirke, to threaten legal action against the filmmakers. They are considering filing a Rs 100 crore defamation lawsuit to address what they assert is a distortion of historical facts.
Laxmikant Raje Shirke firmly stated, "The film distorts our ancestors’ actions and misrepresents historical truths". He noted the film has caused significant harm, both to his family's reputation and their legacy, prompting the issuance of legal notices to the film's director, Laxman Utekar.
Directed by Utekar, 'Chhaava' highlights the valor and struggles of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, yet the portrayal of his trusted allies has overshadowed the film's accomplishments. Reports from local news outlets indicate Laxman Utekar has reached out to one of the Shirke descendants, Bhushan Shirke, to apologize for any unintentional hurt caused by the film.
During these discussions, Utekar clarified, "We have only mentioned the names of Ganoji and Kanhoji in 'Chhaava', without referring to their surname. We’ve also made sure to not disclose the village they belonged to". He expressed regret if the film had caused any discomfort, firmly stating it was not his intention to offend anyone.
Following these events, the Shirke family has asserted they will take their grievances public if their requests are not acknowledged, threatening to stage statewide protests. This statement signifies growing unrest about historical accuracy within cinematic interpretations and highlights the responsibility filmmakers have to present historical figures truthfully.
The film, released on February 14, 2025, has received high praise for its ambitious storytelling and performances by its lead actors, including Rashmika Mandanna, who plays Yesubai Bhonsale, and Akshaye Khanna as Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Critics have positively noted the emotional and narrative depth the film brings to audiences.
Despite the controversies clouding the success of 'Chhaava', director Laxman Utekar's outreach to the Shirke family suggests an effort to mediate and clarify intentions behind the portrayal of historical events. The situation continues to evolve as both the filmmakers and the descendants of historical figures grapple with the challenges of artistic representation versus historical accuracy.
Chhaava not only thrives at the box office but also ignites important debates surrounding the representation of historical narratives, paving the way for more informed discussions about the impact of films on public perception of history.