Laxman Utekar, director of the Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna-starrer Chhaava, said on Monday that the lezim dance sequence will be removed from the film based on the life of Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji, after it faced objection from politicians and history enthusiasts.

The film’s trailer has a sequence in which Vicky and Rashmika, who portray Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Maharani Yesubai, are seen dancing with the lezim – a traditional musical instrument associated with Maharashtra’s cultural heritage.

The filmmaker announced his decision after discussion with Raj Thackeray. “Raj Thackeray’s knowledge of history, especially regarding Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is extensive. He provided valuable suggestions for changes which we will implement. As for the scene featuring Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj playing lezim, we will delete it. It was not our intention to hurt anyone’s sentiments,” said Utekar.

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After Sardar Udham (2021) and Sam Bahadur (2023), Vicky Kaushal leads his third biopic, this time playing Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Based on the novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant, Laxman Utekar’s historical drama depicts Sambhaji Maharaj as a fierce warrior who upheld the Maratha legacy during his reign in the 17th century. Rashmika Mandanna portrays Yesubai Bhonsale, Sambhaji’s wife.

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“The shots that Laxman Utekar [director] has taken give me goosebumps. It’s a very good-looking film. I am delighted to be a part of it,” she starts.

As excited as she was to be a part of the period drama that chronicles the Maratha king’s reign, Dutta wondered how Utekar envisioned her in the part of Soyarabai, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s step-mother who had conspired against him.

“When he narrated the role, I told him I haven’t done something like this before. It was starkly different in terms of the look and the character. The fact that you dress up a certain way and go to your palace, it takes you to another world,” she says.

What also enriched her experience was sharing screen space with Kaushal. Dutta has clearly walked away impressed by the leading man, as she says, “Vicky is adorable. He would not go until he has given cues to his co-stars. I would ask him to go and he’d refuse. We would talk in Punjabi; such camaraderie is important. He is one of the finest actors we have. Give him any role and he will belong in it. In spite of being an excellent actor, there is so much modesty and humility in him.”

Come December 6, cinegoers would have found themselves contemplating which of the two big-budget offerings—Chhaava and Pushpa 2 - The Rule —was worthy of their attention. However, two days after the makers of Pushpa 2 confirmed that the film will release on December 5, mid-day has learned that the team behind Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava has decided to pick another date.

“Chhaava is an ambitious project for the stakeholders, production house, director Laxman Utekar, and its lead star, Vicky. It makes sense to release it when no other film is scheduled to air,” says a source.

Another insider shares that the historical drama that features Kaushal as Chhatrapati Shivaji’s son Sambhaji Maharaj is likely to get advanced. Taran Adarsh says that while an official confirmation from the team of Chhaava is awaited, he hails the decision.

“Pushpa has potential to perform well in [all] languages. Chhaava is an ambitious project. A lot of money has gone into making both films. A clash could affect business.”

Considering the popularity of Pushpa 2, Rajasthan-based exhibitor Raj Bansal says it would have been “catastrophic” had Chhaava released on the same day. “When two films hit screens simultaneously, each earns at least 20 per cent less than it would have otherwise.”

Interestingly, Rashmika Mandanna, who stars in Pushpa 2, the sequel to director Sukumar’s 2021 pan-India blockbuster, also features in Kaushal’s film.

When it came to helming his first historical drama, Laxman Utekar decided to attempt an ambitious retelling of the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Out of this desire was born Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, an adaptation of the Marathi novel of the same name by Shivaji Sawant. With the biopic focusing on the Maratha king’s reign and his conflicts with Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, an important chapter in the narrative is Sambhaji’s coronation ceremony in 1681. It is heard that the director shot a grand song with Kaushal, leading lady Rashmika Mandanna and 700 background dancers in May, to depict the ceremony.

Sources tell us that an expansive set, modelled on the Raigad fort, was built at Film City by production designers Subrata Chakraborty and Amit Ray. The song, composed by A R Rahman, was shot over four days at the venue.

A source reveals, “The official coronation had taken place on January 16, 1681, at the Raigad fort. At the research stage of Chhaava, it was found out that a London newspaper had carried an article about how the coronation ceremony was a vibrant affair. The article aided the director in recreating the event. In the song, Vicky’s Sambhaji will be seen performing the yagna and the thread ceremony while his wife Yesubai does the Rajabhishek and aarti. As his kingdom rejoices, the king is finally seen taking the throne.”

The source adds that the song is inspired by Powada, a form of Marathi poetry that is used to glorify the kings. Staying true to the subject, composer Rahman is said to have used traditional musical instruments of dholki, tuntune and sambal for the track.

“Vijay Ganguly, who previously choreographed the Stree 2 songs, made it a majestic affair by bringing in over 1,500 people to depict the crowd. The entire city of Raigad is shown to have come to celebrate Sambhaji’s coronation. While the number starts with Vicky’s character partaking in the rituals as his subjects rejoice, Rashmika and he are then seen joining in the revelry. This is the only dance number in the film, the rest play out in the background.”

Historical dramas demand a foundation of exhaustive research and precision. As director Laxman Utekar set out to make Chhaava, a biopic of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, he was certain about offering an authentic representation of the 17th century Maratha king. Before the Vicky Kaushal-starrer went on floors in October 2023, the director worked closely with historians and costume designer Sheetal Sharma for a year to perfect the leading man’s look as well as that of the remaining cast.

Sources say that Sharma and Utekar, as part of their research, went to Aurangabad, Ratnagiri, Pune, Nashik, Paithan and many other towns of Maharashtra.

A source elaborates, “Some filmmakers love playing with whites and pastels that are far removed from the world they are depicting, but Laxman wanted to be authentic in his storytelling. When the team began their research by visiting Maratha towns, they found out that Indians are not about pastels, but about a blast of colours. Laxman and Sheetal visited several forts and museums in these cities and towns that further gave them an insight into the dressing and culture of that era. They also met historians, who studied that period.”

Chhaava, an adaptation of the Marathi novel of the same name by Shivaji Sawant, sees Rashmika Mandanna play Sambhaji’s wife Yesubai, Divya Dutta as his stepmother Soyarabai and Akshaye Khanna as Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

“For Rashmika’s look, the costume design team went to Paithan and Narayanpeth from where authentic Paithani and Narayanpeth sarees were sourced. Considering many fabrics used in that period are no longer available, they scoured museums and took pictures of the fabrics and textiles, which were then replicated by weavers. Some old sarees, including a few pieces that had 500-year-old borders, were also bought and restored. Rashmika has worn many Paithani sarees with Chandrakala designs.”

Sambhaji’s statues and busts heavily influenced Kaushal’s look in the period drama. One of the historians collected pictures of the king’s busts from Sambhajinagar, Pune, and Nashik.

The source adds, “The last image in Chhaava’s teaser, of Vicky sitting on the throne, has been designed based on a bust in Pune. The accessories have been sourced from Kolhapur, Sawantwadi and Ratnagiri. The jewellery as well as accessories had to have an old-world charm. So, Rashmika has worn the Lakshmi haar with a nath—a look that was replicated from images and artefacts found in museums. Sambhaji’s sword Bhavani was recreated from a museum in London, by production designers Subrata Chakraborty and Amit Ray.”

Divya Dutta has been part of a few historical dramas, including 23rd March 1931: Shaheed (2002). But she says there is something “magical” about Chhaava, the Vicky Kaushal-led biopic on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

“I felt something magical was happening during Bhaag Milkha Bhaag [2013], and I feel that with Chhaava,” says the actor, who plays a pivotal role in the 17th century drama. She refuses to divulge details about her role, only stating, “It’s something I haven’t attempted before, in terms of the historical period and the character.”

This is her second collaboration with director Laxman Utekar after Nazar Andaaz (2022), which he had produced. Dutta praises his clarity of vision. “The passion with which Laxman sir tells this story, you feel transported to that glorious era. He has a vision for every character. My job is to translate his vision. It is exciting when a director like him guides me on a subject like this.”

Having a powerful co-actor like Kaushal further enriches the experience. “Vicky would be on the set giving cues, even if he wasn’t required to be there. He is sincere and dedicated.”

Indian cinema has long found a worthy hero in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. But now, filmmakers are turning their attention to his ruler-son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Last week, mid-day reported that director Laxman Utekar had begun work on 'Chhava', which sees Vicky Kaushal as the Maratha king (Vicky has the build and personality for the role, June 6). Interestingly, Marathi director Digpal Lanjekar’s next, Raje Sambhaji too focuses on the historical figure.

The director is unperturbed about the two films sharing the same theme. He says, “I am not afraid because Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj are timeless sources of inspiration. Young people can learn not only about valour from these films, but also essential skills like strategizing and resource management.”

While Chhava is based on Shivaji Sawant’s book of the same name, Lanjekar says his Bhushan Patil-led drama is referenced from multiple sources. However, he underlines that it focuses on a significant episode in the warrior king’s life. “Sambhaji Maharaj was immensely brave. This film will be based on one of his heroic deeds; it won’t focus on his entire life.”

Despite the two films’ different approach to the story, Lanjekar believes that a clash should be avoided. The director, who is currently sitting on the drama’s edit, is keen to release it before Chhava. “The producers plan to release the film around Sambhaji Maharaj’s coronation anniversary [July 20] next year.”

Indian cinema has often celebrated the heroism of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but the feats of his son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj have remained restricted to history books. “When I started reading about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, I realised that he was a great warrior, but no one has made a film on him,” says director Laxman Utekar. Even as his latest release Zara Hatke Zara Bachke runs in cinemas, the director and actor Vicky Kaushal have moved on to their next, Chhava, which chronicles Sambhaji’s life and times.

“Most books on Sambhaji are in Marathi, and not available in any other language. That could be a reason why a film or series on him has been rarely attempted. Not many filmmakers could read extensively about him,” explains Utekar.

The historical drama is not only based on Shivaji Sawant’s book Chhava, but also borrows its title. For the lead role, Utekar couldn’t imagine anyone besides Kaushal. Point out that the actor seems to be a favourite for period dramas — from Sardar Udham (2021) to the upcoming Sam Bahadur — and the director shares,

“Sambhaji Maharaj was tall, and had a strong personality. Vicky is not only a wonderful actor, but also has the height, build and personality for it.”

With the period drama slated to roll in September, the leading man has begun prepping for the role. “Vicky is growing his hair and beard. He has also begun horse-riding lessons and other necessary training.”

The director adds that they have yet to zero in on an actor to play Shivaji.