Chhaava

“The ultra-loud, ultra-violent re-creation of a slice of the 17th century Hindustan is exhausting, with torture porn in the climax that reminds you of the systematic flaying of Jesus in 'The Passion of Christ,' ending in an exhausting blur. While Vicky Kaushal's total commitment to the titular character is noteworthy, the film's relentless violence and lack of narrative balance make it ultimately draining.”

“The film, has far greater depth than the top-heavy treatment that it deploys in order to pay tribute to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj”

“Chhaava deserves two stars for the historically half-baked film that it is, but four stars just for its attempt on making a film on Sambhaji. While Chhaava is a historically half-baked film, one has to give a big thumbs-up to the makers for attempting to make Sambhaji a national icon.”

“\It’s a celebration of the warriors who fought for India’s freedom, and it’s a must-watch for anyone who believes in the power of storytelling that transcends time.”

“Chhaava’s redeeming factor is its terrific climax. Vicky Kaushal is breathtaking as he exudes Sambhaji Maharaj’s valour and passion for swarajya (self-rule) like it were his second skin. You just wish the film relied and trusted its story more than Rahman's music, which largely feels out of place.”

“Vicky Kaushal's magnanimous performance, dialogues that promise to give you literal goosebumps, background score, battle sequences, costumes, makeup, and production design, and cinematography fulfill its core message to deliver a befitting tribute to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. You definitely cannot miss this one on the big screens.”

“Chhaava succeeds in delivering a high-intensity action film, anchored by Vicky Kaushal's powerhouse performance. However, it falls short in fully capturing the complexities of Sambhaji's character, leaving much of his multifaceted legacy unexplored.”

“Vicky Kaushal triumphs as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in this visually stunning historical drama that captures the essence of a legendary warrior's struggles and sacrifices with compelling storytelling and strong performances.”

“Bringing to life the character of Chhaava is a roaring Vicky Kaushal, who, through his portrayal of the king, makes you bow down to his acting skills. He walks, talks and breathes like Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The Uri actor has put in a lot of effort to become the "Raje" Laxman Utekar wanted him to be, and the result is nothing short of a monumental achievement in their respective careers.”

“Chhaava is 10X of everything we have seen so far — a sweeping historical epic that delivers grandeur, emotional depth, and powerful performances that elevate the film beyond typical period dramas.”

“Brilliant Vicky Kaushal uplifts this strenuous film.”

“Chhaava isn't interested in nuance – the stilted storytelling, fitting seamlessly into the kind of filmmaking we've come to expect from historical biopics over the years, makes for a tedious watch. The film was perhaps 85% sword fights and (light) gore, and while the cinematography is masterfully executed, the narrative fails to deliver a compelling story about Sambhaji Maharaj or the concept of 'swarajya' that drove his reign.”

“Its bellicose tone is like Chandraprakash Dwivedi's Samrat Prithviraj (2022), while some of its action sequences resemble scenes from the Partition. The thirst for comeuppance, vengeance and macho reprisal is stark, making for a frequently violent, often draining experience. The film's lack of feeling is vivid too, with shouty speechifying mistaken for heartfelt passion and sumptuous visuals confused for grandeur.”

“However, the intrigue seldom translates into something substantial on screen. Amidst the war cries, the narrative jumps from one cutting-and-chopping exercise on the battlefield to the other. A cliched mess of Hindi and Urdu, dialogues are there only to state the obvious, and AR Rahman's music is at odds with the rich Marathi detailing of the production design and the overall texture of the film.”

“'Chhaava' is a roaring tribute to bad film-making, failing to craft a coherent narrative despite its ambitious historical scope.”