After releasing dubbed movies like Kantara, 2018 and the Vidudala duology, Geetha Arts has come out with Chhaava, this time, a Hindi blockbuster. What is the movie like? Let’s find out.
Telugu Funda’s reveal of the storyline:
The story is set in the 17th Century. The might of Sambhaji (Vicky Kaushal), the son of late Shivaji, is dreaded by his adversaries. Aurangzeb (Akshaye Khanna), who initially feels relieved about Shivaji’s death, is left stunned by Sambhaji’s fierce assault on one of Mughal confederacies. Sambhaji’s masterful guerrilla warfare and other stratagems outmaneuver his foes. The film captures Sambhaji’s legendary dedication to self-rule. The treacherous conspiracies within the Maratha court and the unyielding Mughal onslaught form the crux of the second half.
Telugu Funda’s take on the Performances:
- Vicky Kaushal: He may not be a perfectionist, but his portrayal comes close to perfect nuances.
- Akshaye Khanna: His get-up may or may not be authentic but his performance is subtle.
- Rashmika Mandanna: She should have been way better. Somehow, there is no aura in her for the royal role.
- Others: Ashutosh Rana, Vineet Kumar Singh as Kavi Kalash, Neil Bhoopalam as Prince Muhammad Akbar, Diana Penty as Zinat-un-Nissa Begum, Divya Dutta as Soyarabai are just about okay. Divya Dutta, as the second wife of Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj, at least looks the part. Others put in low effort.
Telugu Funda’s take on Technical Departments:
- Music: Sorry, but AR Rahman’s background score is mystifyingly poor. The battle scenes are let down by his unimaginative score. You can bet your life that MM Keeravani’s work on Hari Hara Veera Mallu is going to be better than this.
- Cinematography: Saurabh Goswami’s work is okay.
- Action choreography: Not silly but you don’t feel the force of the situation most of the time. The fight that comes before Sambhaji’s capture is the only one that works somewhat.
- Production values: Largely serviceable.
Telugu Funda’s analysis:
Since the movie is based on a novel (named Chhava, it is written by Shivaji Sawant), creative liberties and historical inaccuracies are a given. What is problematic about the movie is that it is content with a set of low-hanging fruits. If anything, Ajay Devgn’s Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020) had a better screenplay and feel to it.
Battle sequences and court intrigues are purely functional in the movie. The action involving Mughal and Maratha soldiers are staged in such a manner that there are no highs and choreography-induced goosebumps. Think of the Ponniyin Selvan movies minus an ensemble cast. Take the first fight, for instance. It feels more like a riot rather than a battle sequence after the first minute.
Backstabbing and treason in the movie don’t feel momentous at all. The psychology of treason isn’t explored here. How come the Marathas had black sheep in them, while the Mughals didn’t have as many? The answer to this question might hold a lot of clues to the political history of medieval India. But today’s filmmakers aren’t excited about them for want of academic rigour and because of the fear of offending the audience. It would not be an exaggeration to say that The Kashmir Files director Vivek Agnihotri might have shown intellectual honesty in exploring such a question.
The final 30 minutes is what holds Chhaava together. The intercuts to the Maratha palace amid the torture scenes is basic but works emotionally.
Telugu Funda’s Verdict:
Chhaava is a narratively underwhelming adaptation of a novel. Lacking a compelling screenplay, nuanced character exploration, and gripping battle sequences, it is just watchable.
Rating: 2.25/5
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