Chaava

After a long time, and after too many near misses, I've had the pleasure of watching a really good film. Chaava stands out as an icon in the genre of Historical films, albeit a few minor aberrations. The makers of the film did not try to offer something for everybody, ala masala flick, and that is just commendable. By staying true to the sourced Maratha Novel adaption, Chaava basks in gore and glory of the Deccan, that great arena of the clash of egos, that shaped the past and the future of the teeming millions. 

Chaava (literally, Lion Cub) is the tale of Sambhaji Maharaj, son of the more famous and much adored Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. When his father's vision of Swarajya, was slowly fading out, the scion would go on to challenge Zindapeer Alamgir Aurangzeb's Mughal Suzeranity, but would ultimately be betrayed, defeated and brutally executed, staying loyal and courageous, wedded to a cause. 

Vicky Kaushal as Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is unrelenting, iconic and essayed the role with an emotional depth, and clarity. Akshaye Khanna as Shehanshah Alamgir Aurangzeb, ever scheming, always ambitious, an imperialist in his twilight slowly succumbing to the ravages of time and truth, stands tall. Rashmika Mandanna as Yeshubai is good despite limited screen presence. In the ensemble cast, Divya Dutta as Soarabai, Vinnet Kumar Singh as Chandogamatya / Kavi Kalash stood out. The latter's last poetic joust with Sambhaji, chained, bloodied but unbowed is a Piece de Resistance. The music, few battle scenes, the guerilla warfare in the early minutes of second half, could have been better. The film would do definitely good, if dubbed in regional languages especially Telugu. But, one shouldn't expect too much. 

Jai Bhavani. Har Har Maha Dev.  

On  "Chaava " (Film - Hindi) directed by Laxman Utekar, based on Maratha Novel "Chaava" (Book) by Shivraj Sawant.

Maheeth Veluvali, 
Palakollu.

Sunday, 26th of Fevruary, 2025