Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Bollywood movie Chhava, starring Vicky Kaushal, which is based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s son, Sambhaji Maharaj. Rashmika Mandanna played the role of Sambhaji’s wife, and the film, released on February 14, received a blockbuster response from the very first show.

Directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, Chhava is inspired by the Marathi novel of the same name by Shivaji Sawant. Featuring actors like Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, and Akshaye Khanna, the film became the first Bollywood movie of 2025 to cross the ₹200 crore mark.

Chhava has now become the highest-grossing film of 2025, receiving widespread appreciation. PM Modi, speaking at the 98th All India Marathi Literary Conference, praised the film, stating that Chhava has become a nationwide sensation. He highlighted Maharashtra’s contributions to science, Ayurveda, and reasoning, emphasizing that Marathi cinema plays a vital role in Indian cinema alongside Hindi films.