• Movie Name: Chhaava
• Release Date: February 14, 2025
• Rating: 3/5
• Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, Ashutosh Rana, Divya Dutta, Diana Penty
• Director: Laxman Utekar
• Producer: Dinesh Vijan
• Music: A.R. Rahman
• Cinematography: Saurabh Goswami
• Editor: Manish Pradhan

Chhaava brings the story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj to the big screen, focusing on his courage and resilience. Vicky Kaushal leads the film as Sambhaji, taking on a significant legacy after his father, Shivaji Maharaj, dies. Sambhaji's battle against the Mughal Empire, particularly against Aurangzeb (Akshaye Khanna), forms the heart of the film.

Positives:

• Vicky Kaushal shines as Sambhaji Maharaj, delivering a strong performance, especially in the climax.
• Akshaye Khanna, though limited in screen time, does a decent job as Aurangzeb.
• Rashmika Mandanna and the supporting cast, including Ashutosh Rana and Divya Dutta, perform well in their respective roles.

Negatives:

• The film’s execution lacks finesse, with a slower first half and underwhelming war sequences.
• The emotional buildup, especially for betrayals, feels lacking, and some characters aren’t fully explored.
• Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of Aurangzeb could have been more intense.
• The pacing feels stretched, particularly in the first half.