The film ‘Chhava’ is brought to screen based on the Marathi Novel ‘Chhava’ written by the author Shivaji Sawant an renowned Marathi writer. The movie shows the life of Sambhaji Mahraj and begins with the death of his father Chhatrapati Shivaji Mahraj. The story is set during the rule of Aurangazeb of Mughal Empire, and the earlier stages of the rise of Maratha rulers. The storyline could be considered a snippet of the Mughal-Maratha wars in history. Sambhaji is the second ruler in the Maratha rulers’ history in India. As Aurangazeb rejoices in the death of the old Chhatrapati Mahraj the news of his crushed army reaches his ears, with the arrival of Sambhaji the son of Shivaji Mahraj. Vicky Kaushal’s intro scene as the Mahraj is where he rips open a lion’s jaw with his bare hands and emerges out unscathed. After defeating the war he returns home to a warm welcome by Yesubai played by Rashmika Mandanna. 

The woe in Aurangzeb is not quenched and he plots to capture Sambhaji and crush the Maratha Empire. The movie shows how smart and brilliant the real Chhatrapati Sambhaji Mahraj was. During the war times, Aurangazeb forces outnumber the Maratha forces and Sambhaji suggests a clever move of Guerilla attack. And no matter how hard they fought, Aurangazeb forces surrounded the Maratha forces on all sides. Captured by Aurangaeb, Sambhaji faces cruelty and inhumane torture inflicted upon him. These scenes are definitely not for the faint-hearted audience. Vicky Kaushal’s performance throughout the movie remained splendid. And the unsung hero is Akshaye Khanna who makes us hate him and that’s how well he carried himself as Aurangazeb.