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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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1 year ago

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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.

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Dhurandhar 2 bags massive OTT deal, likely to stream on JioHotstar after IPL 2026

Dhurandhar 2 lands a Rs 155 crore OTT deal with JioHotstar and may release after IPL 2026.

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2 weeks ago

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April 20, 2026

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Dhurandhar

The upcoming Bollywood film Dhurandhar 2 has reportedly secured a significant OTT deal, underlining its strong market buzz ahead of release. According to media reports, the film’s digital streaming rights have been acquired by JioHotstar for approximately Rs 155 crore.

The makers are expected to follow a strategic release plan, with the film likely to premiere on the platform after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. JioHotstar also holds digital streaming rights for the tournament, and the post-IPL window is seen as an effort to retain audience engagement.

Reports suggest that the film could arrive on OTT in late May or early June 2026, depending on its theatrical release schedule and run. However, there is no official confirmation yet regarding the exact streaming date.

Industry observers note that the reported deal highlights the growing demand for big-ticket Hindi films among streaming platforms, especially those expected to draw strong audience interest.

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Ramayana teaser unveiled as Ranbir Kapoor appears as Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s epic film

The teaser of Ramayana has been released, showing Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama. The film will release in two parts in 2026 and 2027.

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1 month ago

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April 2, 2026

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Ramayana Teaser

The teaser of Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming film Ramayana has been released, offering the first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor in the role of Lord Rama. The film, which is planned as a two-part cinematic project, is scheduled for a Diwali release later this year.

The teaser shows several key moments, including scenes from the coronation and the exile period in the forest of Panchavati. Ranbir Kapoor appears in the role of Rama with a calm and composed presence. The teaser also briefly shows Yash in the role of Ravan towards the end.

Ahead of the teaser launch, Alia Bhatt shared a video message on social media asking audiences to support the project and Ranbir Kapoor’s work on the film. In the video, she said the “Rama unit” video would be released and encouraged audiences to watch and support the film.

Budget and scale

Producer Namit Malhotra said the film has been in development for six to seven years and is being made on a large scale. According to him, the total budget for both parts is around $500 million, which is over Rs 4,000 crore combined.

He said the film is being made for a global audience and aims to present the epic on a large cinematic scale while remaining efficient in production.

Music collaboration

The film’s music is being composed through a collaboration between AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Rahman said working on a project based on such an iconic epic is challenging, as the team wants to present something new while respecting the importance of the story.

Release plan and cast

The film will be released in two parts. The first part is scheduled for a worldwide release in October 2026 ahead of Diwali, while the second part is planned for release during Diwali 2027.

Apart from Ranbir Kapoor, the film also stars Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey and Yash in important roles.

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Dhurandhar 2 box office collection day 7 crosses Rs 600 crore in India

Dhurandhar 2 continues its strong box office run, crossing Rs 600 crore in India and Rs 1000 crore worldwide within its first week.

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1 month ago

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March 26, 2026

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Dhurandhar 2 review

Ranveer Singh’s film Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has crossed the Rs 600 crore mark at the India box office within seven days of its release, according to trade estimates. The film has maintained a strong run in both mass centres and urban markets during its first week.

As per trade figures, the film’s India net box office collection stands at around Rs 623 crore after seven days, while the gross domestic collection is estimated to be over Rs 740 crore. The film has also performed strongly in overseas markets, taking its international collection to more than Rs 250 crore. With this, the worldwide box office total has crossed Rs 1,000 crore within the first week of release, as per trade estimates.

Day-wise performance in India

The film opened strongly on March 19 with box office collections of over Rs 100 crore. The film continued to perform well over the next few days, collecting around Rs 80 crore on Day 2 and over Rs 110 crore on Day 3. Collections remained strong over the weekend, followed by an expected drop on weekdays. By Day 7, the film collected around Rs 47 crore, taking the total India net collection past Rs 600 crore.

Overseas performance and comparison

The film has also reported strong performance in overseas markets, particularly in the UK and other key international territories. With the worldwide collection crossing Rs 1,000 crore in the first week, the film is being compared to the fast global box office pace seen by Pushpa 2: The Rule in terms of early box office momentum, according to trade observers.

About the film

Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge is the sequel to the 2025 film Dhurandhar. The sequel features Ranveer Singh along with Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan and Sanjay Dutt in key roles.

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