Chhaava: Chhatrapati’s descendants want historians to pass the film before release
Former Rajya Sabha MP Sambhjiraje Chhatrapati, who’s also a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, on Friday suggested that the makers of Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava should make the historians watch their film before its release. He informed the media that director Laxman Utekar showed him the trailer recently, after which he told them to get a few historians on board to watch the film to “address inaccuracies.”
Sambhajiraje, however, mentioned that the makers have not consulted any historians yet. The discussion emerged after a glimpse of a song was seen in the trailer. It featured Vicky and Rashmika Mandanna performing with the ‘lezim’, a traditional musical instrument representing the Maharashtrian culture.
Speaking to the news agency PTI, the former MP shared that he also told the makers about his wish to watch the film before its release. He said, “It is commendable the film highlights the life and valiant reign of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Director Laxman Utekar and his team showed me the movie’s trailer. I told them I would like to watch the entire movie before its release.”
He added, “I also offered to connect them with historians to address inaccuracies to ensure this significant story is presented authentically to audiences worldwide.”
Sambhajiraje went on to mention the use of lezim in a song featuring Vicky and Rashmika. The former MP said he is aware of the makers taking ‘cinematic liberties’ to make a film look more appealing, but he wants the representation of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj to be ‘appropriate’ and ‘dignified’.
“However, the filmmakers have not engaged with historians as yet. While the lezim is an important part of our cultural heritage, it is necessary to discuss whether taking such cinematic liberties aligns with the dignity and historical portrayal of Sambhaji Maharaj. Historians and experts should deliberate on the appropriateness of this depiction,” he explained.
His statements came hours after a few Maratha outfits protested in Pune against the dance sequence in the film. One of the protestors mentioned what Sambhajiraje insisted upon in an interview later: to show the film to the historians and take their ‘green signal’ before the release.
The protestors further threatened to halt the film’s release in Maharashtra unless historians are consulted.
Chhava, also starring Akshaye Khanna, Ashutosh Rana, Divya Dutta and Neil Bhoopalam, among others, is hitting the screens on February 14. It is produced by Dinesh Vija’s Maddock Films.
