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Chhaava Movie Review: Vicky Kaushal shines in Laxman Utekar’s cinematic spectacle celebrating the Maratha Legend

Chhaava, directed by Laxman Utekar, brings history and heroism to the big screen with standout performances by Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, and Akshaye Khanna.

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Vicky Kaushal in Chhaava, portraying Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj

Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, and Akshaye Khanna star in this epic portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s life, directed by Laxman Utekar.

The anticipation around Chhaava has been building for months, especially after the trailer unveiled the promise of a larger-than-life historical drama. As the film hits theaters on February 14, the first reviews are pouring in, and they are overwhelmingly positive, especially when it comes to the film’s performances and storytelling.

Vicky Kaushal delivers a powerhouse performance
In the role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Vicky Kaushal has undoubtedly impressed critics and audiences alike. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh, who was among the first to watch the film, shared a glowing review on social media, calling it “spectacular.” Adarsh rated the film 4.5 stars, praising Vicky’s portrayal of the historical figure as “towering” and “award-worthy.” He writes, “Vicky Kaushal delivers a commanding, intense performance, embodying the fierce spirit of Sambhaji Maharaj. His fiery dialogue delivery and emotional depth are unforgettable.”

The film’s action sequences, especially those involving intense combat scenes, are gripping and highlight Vicky’s physical and emotional range. As the Maratha warrior battles his enemies, Kaushal brings a raw energy to the screen that elevates the entire film.

Laxman Utekar’s direction: A perfect blend of scale and storytelling
Director Laxman Utekar, known for his work in films like Luka Chuppi and Mimi, takes a bold step with Chhaava. He masterfully blends grandeur with emotional storytelling, bringing Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s remarkable journey to life. Utekar manages to balance the film’s large-scale action with moments of intimacy, ensuring that the audience remains emotionally invested throughout.

The director’s vision is especially clear in the way the film showcases the unyielding courage and leadership of Sambhaji, while also delving into the personal relationships that define his life. Whether it’s the confrontations with his enemies or quieter moments with his wife, played by Rashmika Mandanna, Utekar captures the essence of the Maratha warrior’s character.

Supporting cast: Akshaye Khanna and Rashmika Mandanna
Akshaye Khanna as the ruthless Aurangzeb stands out in the film. Despite the heavy prosthetics, Khanna delivers a chilling performance as the Mughal emperor, obsessed with defeating Sambhaji. His confrontations with Vicky Kaushal provide some of the most memorable moments of the film.

Rashmika Mandanna plays Maharani Yesubai, Sambhaji’s wife, and delivers a heartfelt performance. While the film focuses primarily on the intense action and political drama, Rashmika’s presence offers a tender balance, portraying the emotional depth of a woman behind a warrior.

Watch trailer here:

Chhava trailer

A gripping, intense experience
Chhaava is unapologetically loud and intense, with the film’s action sequences often bordering on the brutal. The film’s graphic violence, depicting the suffering of the Marathas and their battles, might feel overwhelming at times. However, this intensity aligns with the story’s purpose of honoring the heroic legacy of Sambhaji Maharaj.

The film’s pacing can be exhausting, as it maintains a relentless momentum through the 161-minute runtime. Nevertheless, for fans of historical action dramas, this is a cinematic experience that does not shy away from portraying the violence and valor of the time.

A historic masterpiece
Chhaava is more than just a historical epic—it’s a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. With Vicky Kaushal’s stellar performance and Laxman Utekar’s visionary direction, the film is a must-watch for anyone interested in India’s rich history and cinematic excellence.

Entertainment

Border 2 box office collection day 12 crosses Rs 286 crore, eyes Rs 300 crore milestone

Border 2 box office collection reaches Rs 286.75 crore after 12 days, putting the Sunny Deol-led film close to the Rs 300 crore milestone.

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Sunny Deol in Border 2

Sunny Deol’s Border 2 continues its impressive run at the domestic box office, edging closer to the Rs 300 crore mark by the end of its second week. The war drama, which hit theatres on January 23, has shown consistent collections since its release.

On its second Tuesday, the film earned an estimated Rs 5.75 crore, taking its total earnings to Rs 286.75 crore after 12 days.

Border 2 box office performance so far

The film matched its Monday earnings on February 3, adding Rs 5.75 crore to its tally. With this, Border 2 has managed to hold firm on weekdays, a sign of sustained audience interest.

The film delivered a robust opening week, collecting Rs 224.25 crore, supported by the extended Republic Day holiday period.

Second weekend boosts collections

The second weekend provided another lift to the film’s box office numbers. Friday saw collections of Rs 10.75 crore, followed by Rs 17.75 crore on Saturday. Sunday emerged as the strongest day of the weekend, contributing Rs 22.5 crore to the total.

Monday, which coincided with Republic Day, turned out to be the film’s highest single-day performer so far, with earnings touching Rs 59 crore.

With its current pace, Border 2 has already surpassed the opening weekend figures of Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar.

Border 2 review

In a review, film critic Saibal Chatterjee noted that Border 2 succeeds in highlighting the courage of soldiers while also touching upon their emotional vulnerabilities. The film explores themes of separation, loss, fear, and hope, presenting moments of heroism amid personal struggles.

About the film

Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 features an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty. Set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the film is positioned as a spiritual successor to the 1997 classic Border.

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Why Dhurandhar on Netflix runs shorter than its original theatrical cut

Dhurandhar’s Netflix release sparked confusion over its shorter runtime. The difference is linked to muted dialogue and an updated theatrical cut.

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Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar has finally made its much-awaited debut on Netflix, just days after the Ranveer Singh-starrer completed a blockbuster theatrical run across India. While the film crossed Rs 1,000 crore domestically and went past Rs 1,300 crore worldwide, its OTT release has triggered confusion and criticism over its shorter runtime.

Several viewers took to social media early Friday, claiming that a “censored” version of Dhurandhar was streaming on Netflix. The runtime displayed on the platform is 3 hours and 25 minutes, nearly nine minutes shorter than the film’s originally reported duration of 3 hours and 34 minutes.

What caused the runtime difference

The confusion stems from changes made after the film’s initial theatrical release. According to the revised censor certificate, Dhurandhar now has an approved runtime of 3 hours 28 minutes and 56 seconds. This updated version replaced the earlier cut in cinemas starting January 1.

The revision followed directions to mute two specific words and one dialogue referring to the Baloch community. These changes were implemented without removing scenes, resulting in a marginally shorter runtime.

What viewers noticed on Netflix

Audiences streaming the film on Netflix observed muted portions during a scene involving Sanjay Dutt’s character, SP Chaudhary Aslam. In the original version, the dialogue included a direct reference to a former Baloch police partner. In the revised cut now available on Netflix, those references are muted, while English subtitles offer a generalised translation without naming the community.

Some viewers also pointed out that the film appears to play slightly faster on the platform, contributing to the perception that content had been trimmed.

Is Netflix streaming a censored cut

Industry insiders have clarified that Netflix is carrying the final theatrical version approved by the authorities. As an OTT distributor, the platform uploads films exactly as provided by the producers. The version streaming online is the same revised cut that has been screening in theatres since January.

Importantly, the film’s intense and graphic depiction of violence remains unchanged in the OTT version.

In short, Dhurandhar on Netflix is not a specially edited or censored cut for streaming. It is the updated theatrical version, adjusted for muted dialogue and presented with a slightly faster frame rate.

Following its OTT release, audiences can now look ahead to the sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.

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Border 2 box office collection day 1 crosses Rs 30 crore

Border 2 opens to Rs 30 crore on day one, becoming the biggest opener for Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh.

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Sunny Deol in Border 2

Border 2 has made an impressive start at the Indian box office, collecting Rs 30 crore on its opening day. The war drama, headlined by Sunny Deol along with Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh, opened to largely positive audience and critical response.

According to industry tracking data, the film recorded an overall occupancy of 32.1 per cent on day one. Night shows contributed the highest footfall, indicating strong word-of-mouth towards the end of the day.

Strong show count and urban traction

Border 2 was screened in nearly 6,000 shows across the country on its opening day. Major centres reported heavy traction, with over 1,000 shows in Mumbai and more than 1,500 shows across the Delhi-NCR region. Trade sources noted that urban circuits played a key role in pushing the film past the Rs 30 crore mark.

The opening performance places Border 2 ahead of Dhurandhar, which collected Rs 28 crore on its first day despite having a similar nationwide show count. Dhurandhar later saw consistent growth over its opening weekend, a trend that Border 2 is also expected to follow.

Career-best opening for key cast members

Border 2 has emerged as the biggest opening-day film in the careers of Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh. For Varun Dhawan, the film marks his first box office success since Bhediya in 2023. Ahan Shetty, who made his debut with Tadap in 2021, has registered his first theatrical hit with the war drama.

For Sunny Deol, however, Border 2 does not surpass the opening records of Gadar 2, which remains his highest-grossing film with a worldwide collection of Rs 686 crore.

Dhurandhar sees slowdown after Border 2 release

Meanwhile, Dhurandhar’s box office run has slowed following the release of Border 2. The film reportedly earned under Rs 1 crore for the first time in nearly 50 days, reflecting the impact of the new release.

Directed by Anurag Singh and produced by JP Dutta and Nidhi Dutta, Border 2 also features Sonam Bajwa and Mona Singh in prominent roles.

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