Chhaava, directed by Laxman Utekar, features Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb, and Rashmika Mandanna as Maharani Yesubai.
Last Updated: 03.46 PM, Feb 04, 2025
Since the trailer for Laxman Utekar's Chhaava was released, the film has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Vicky Kaushal is confident that this film will serve as the catalyst for his career breakthrough. Maharani Yesubai is played by Rashmika Mandanna, Mughal Shahenshah Aurangzeb by Akshaye Khanna, and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is portrayed by Vicky in the period action drama.
In an interview with Bollywood Hungama Laxman proclaimed Akshaye to be one of the best performers working in Bollywood today. Despite the limited screen time in the trailer, the filmmaker gushed over the actor's performance as Aurangzeb. He warned that the actor's portrayal of Aurangzeb will make viewers uncomfortable. Akshaye's eyes convey a great deal more than his words ever could.
Since the actor usually only takes on a handful of films, Laxman was asked how he persuaded him to be a part of the production. After dropping by Akshaye's house in Alibaug, the filmmaker joked about how easy it was. To put it simply, Laxman remarked that the actor is an exceptionally welcoming human being. He gives his all to the things he does, even though he doesn't work on many.
It took Aurangzeb nine years to identify and get hold of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Vicky revealed, opening up about his experience working with Akshaye. Thus, his search for him occupies a significant portion of the film. Although Vicky and Akshaye have a few scenes together, the film primarily focuses on their eagerness to meet, so viewers will be left eagerly anticipating their confrontation. His addition of a subtle sleaziness and cunning to Aurangzeb's character has worked wonderfully with Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's roar.
The day their sequence together was to be shot was the day they encountered each other for the first time and that too as characters, Laxman revealed, revealing that the two actors had never met before recording their dramatic confrontation. Additionally, Vicky mentioned that they did not have any pre-shoot personal interactions. No good mornings, goodbyes, or hellos were uttered between them while filming that scene. The actors threw themselves into filming the scene, with Akshaye portraying Aurangzeb and Vicky portraying Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The latter made a note that his senior co-actor did not receive any communication from him.
For these moments, one can't just sit next to each other, drink tea, and go on set when ready. That means it also didn't develop naturally. During filming, Vicky and Akshaye never spoke, but he hopes to have a conversation with him after the film is out. The director claimed that the two actors flatly refused to engage with each other. They were both so engrossed in their roles that they avoided looking at each other.
The big screen will host Chhaava on February 14, 2025.