Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava promises to be a grand biopic of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films. The teaser of the period drama was released theatrically along with Khel Khel Mein, Stree 2 and Vedaa. The rousing music and intense performance by Vicky grabbed eyeballs.
According to a publication’s report, Vicky Kaushal’s look in Chhaava is an ‘authentic representation of the 17th century Maratha king’. Laxman and designer Sheetal Sharma worked for a year on the costumes to get it right. A source close to the film also revealed that the duo visited Aurangabad, Ratnagiri, Pune, Nashik, Paithan and other towns in Maharashtra for an in-depth research.
The source told Mid-Day, “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.”
Talking about Chhaava’s teaser, the source further shared, “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.”
Chhaava is based on the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who ruled from 1681 to 1689. Rashmika Mandanna plays Vicky’s wife, Yesubai Bhonsale whereas Divya Dutta as his stepmother Soyarabai and Akshaye Khanna will be seen as Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Chhaava releases in theatres on December 6.