Vicky Kaushal’s magnum opus historical epic Chhaava has achieved legendary status at the Bollywood box office, storming past the ₹615 crore mark to emerge as one of 2025’s most extraordinary commercial successes. Based on Marathi novelist Shivaji Sawant’s acclaimed novel of the same name, the film chronicles the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the second ruler of the Maratha Empire and son of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, during his tumultuous encounters with Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century. Directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, Chhaava has crossed ₹600 crore in India and ₹807 crore globally, achieving a remarkable feat that places it among only the third film ever to breach the ₹600 crore barrier (after Pushpa 2 and Stree 2) and the second Hindi-language film to accomplish this milestone. With powerhouse performances from Vicky Kaushal as Sambhaji, Rashmika Mandanna as his wife Yesubai, and Akshaye Khanna as the antagonistic Aurangzeb, combined with AR Rahman’s mesmerizing soundtrack and sweeping cinematography that captures the Maratha Empire’s grandeur, Chhaava represents Bollywood’s commitment to prestige period drama at theatrical scale. The film’s unprecedented success demonstrates that Indian audiences enthusiastically embrace historically grounded narratives featuring authentic performances, sophisticated storytelling, and genuine artistic ambition—a cultural phenomenon that transcends regional boundaries and validates Vicky Kaushal’s emergence as contemporary Bollywood’s most versatile and bankable leading man.
Box Office Milestone: ₹615 Crore and Beyond
India Net Collection: ₹601.54 crore (approximately) | India Gross Collection: ₹716.91 crore | Worldwide Collection: ₹807.91 crore (~$96 million) | Production Budget: ₹120-140 crore (approximately) | ROI: 223.61% (Superhit status) | Release Date: February 14, 2025
Chhaava has achieved historic box office status by crossing ₹600 crore in India and ₹807 crore worldwide, positioning itself among the most successful Indian films of all time. The achievement places the film in elite company—only Pushpa 2 and Stree 2 have previously crossed the ₹600 crore barrier, and Chhaava becomes merely the second Hindi-language film to accomplish this feat.
More impressively, with a reported production budget between ₹120-140 crore, Chhaava has achieved a profit margin exceeding 223%, securing superhit status within 11 days of release. According to box office analysis, the film’s performance surpasses the combined second Monday earnings of seven 2025 releases (Sky Force, Deva, Emergency, Fateh, Azaad, Badass Ravikumar, and Loveyapa), demonstrating unparalleled audience enthusiasm.
Cast and Performances
Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj — Delivering what critics universally praise as a career-defining performance, Kaushal embodies the legendary Maratha warrior with commanding screen presence, physical intensity, and emotional depth. His portrayal captures Sambhaji’s paradoxes: a fierce warrior protecting Maratha sovereignty while grappling with family legacy, political responsibility, and personal conviction. Kaushal’s construction—based on historical busts and statues for accuracy—creates an authentic representation grounded in scholarly research rather than theatrical invention.
Rashmika Mandanna as Maharani Yesubai Bhonsale — Playing Sambhaji’s devoted wife, Mandanna brings emotional anchor and dimensional complexity to the role. Rather than portraying Yesubai as a passive historical footnote, the film positions her as a woman navigating impossible circumstances, supporting her husband’s political ambitions while protecting their family. Her chemistry with Kaushal creates intimate moments that humanize the grand historical narrative.
Akshaye Khanna as Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb — Delivering a formidable antagonistic performance, Khanna portrays Aurangzeb as a powerful ideological and military opponent. His portrayal transcends simple villainy, instead presenting Aurangzeb as a complex historical figure driven by imperial ambition and religious conviction—creating genuine dramatic tension with Sambhaji rather than cartoonish opposition.
Supporting Cast: Ashutosh Rana, Vineet Kumar Singh, Divya Dutta, Anil George, Diana Penty, and Pradeep Rawat provide substantial supporting performances, with Ashutosh Rana and Vineet Kumar Singh earning particular praise despite limited screentime.
Director and Screenplay
Director: Laxman Utekar | Screenplay and Story: Laxman Utekar, Rishi Virmani, Kaustubh Savarkar, Unman Bankar, Omkar Mahajan | Cinematography: Abhinav Priyadarshi | Music: AR Rahman | Lyrics: Irshad Kamil | Additional Music/Lyrics: Kshitij Patwardhan
Laxman Utekar approached Chhaava with meticulous research and historical reverence, spending years developing the screenplay before principal photography commenced. Utekar cast Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna years before production, demonstrating his conviction about their suitability for these iconic roles. His direction balances intimate character moments with expansive action sequences, creating a historical epic that resonates emotionally while delivering spectacular visual spectacle.
The screenplay—developed collaboratively by Utekar, Rishi Virmani, Kaustubh Savarkar, Unman Bankar, and Omkar Mahajan—draws from Shivaji Sawant’s novel while adapting the narrative for cinema, condensing centuries of history into a focused dramatic arc exploring Sambhaji’s struggle against overwhelming odds.
Plot and Historical Context
Chhaava is an adaptation of Marathi novelist Shivaji Sawant’s acclaimed novel of the same name (meaning “Lion Cub”), chronicling Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s reign (1681-1689) as the second ruler of the Maratha Empire. The film explores Sambhaji’s confrontation with Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, who sought to subjugate the Maratha territories and consolidate Mughal dominance across India.
Set in the 17th century and narrated by a compelling opening featuring Ajay Devgn, the film delves into Sambhaji’s leadership qualities, his commitment to Swaraj (self-rule), and his defiant resistance against imperial subjugation. Beyond military conflict, Chhaava explores family politics, personal relationships, and the emotional toll of perpetual warfare on leaders and their families.
The narrative structure balances grand historical events—depicting military campaigns and strategic decisions—with intimate human moments revealing Sambhaji’s vulnerabilities, relationships, and internal conflicts. This balance between epic scope and personal storytelling has proven emotionally resonant with audiences worldwide.
Production Design and Technical Achievement
Cinematography: Abhinav Priyadarshi’s sweeping visuals capture the grandeur of the Maratha Empire, utilizing expansive landscapes and meticulous production design to establish authentic period atmosphere. Costume and jewelry design drew extensive museum research from London repositories, ensuring historical accuracy in visual details.
Music: AR Rahman’s iconic score and Irshad Kamil’s evocative lyrics create emotional resonance throughout the narrative. The soundtrack has generated massive cultural conversation, with songs “Jaane Tu” and “Aaya Re Toofan” becoming popular favorites. Additional composer Kshitij Patwardhan contributed supplementary music, creating a layered sonic landscape.
Production Scale: With a budget between ₹120-140 crore, Chhaava represents Maddock Films’ most expensive project to date, signaling the production company’s willingness to invest in prestige historical drama at theatrical scale.
Production Details
Director and Producer: Laxman Utekar (Maddock Films) | Production Company: Maddock Films (Dinesh Vijan’s independent studio) | Banner: Maddock Films | Production Timeline: Script completed January 2023, pre-production April 2023, principal photography October 2023 | Release Format: Standard and IMAX
Critical Reception and Audience Response
Critical Reviews: Mixed-to-positive (praising performances, cinematography; noting historical inaccuracies) | Audience Enthusiasm: Exceptional (evidenced by box office performance and cultural phenomenon status) | Day 1 Opening: ₹13.18 crore (biggest Bollywood Day 1 opener as of 2025) | Advance Booking: Exceeded Pushpa 2 records
Critics praised Vicky Kaushal’s powerhouse performance, Akshaye Khanna’s compelling antagonism, and the film’s ambitious visual presentation, though some noted that the narrative doesn’t fully explore Sambhaji’s historical complexities and multifaceted legacy. Regardless of critical reservations, audiences have embraced Chhaava enthusiastically, generating genuine cultural phenomenon status.
Where to Watch Chhaava
Theatrical (Completed): Released February 14, 2025 | Television Premiere: Star Gold (broadcast scheduled) | OTT/Streaming (Upcoming): Netflix (specific date TBA) | Format: Available in Standard and IMAX theatrical; expected to stream in multiple formats
Following its exceptional theatrical run, Chhaava premiered on Star Gold during independence day weekend (August 15, 2025), attracting 39.2 million television viewers—demonstrating continued cultural relevance beyond theatrical release. The film is expected to arrive on Netflix following theatrical and television exclusivity periods, allowing broader global streaming access.
Vicky Kaushal’s Theatrical Dominance
Chhaava represents a career peak for Vicky Kaushal, who has demonstrated extraordinary range across genres. His previous notable performances include Uri: The Surgical Strike (₹8.20 crore Day 1), Bad Newz (₹8.30 crore Day 1), and Sam Bahadur (₹6.25 crore Day 1), all respectable openings but dwarfed by Chhaava‘s ₹13.18 crore Day 1. The film confirms Kaushal’s emergence as contemporary Bollywood’s most bankable and versatile leading man, capable of anchoring historical epics with the same conviction he brought to thrillers and comedies.
Cultural Phenomenon and Legacy
Chhaava has transcended typical blockbuster status to become a genuine cultural phenomenon—audiences discussing the film’s historical themes, engaging with Maratha history, and celebrating the film’s commitment to authentic representation. The film’s success validates Bollywood’s continued appetite for prestige period drama that respects audiences’ intelligence while delivering spectacular entertainment.
As Chhaava continues its theatrical legacy and advances toward Netflix streaming, the film stands as a testament to Bollywood’s capacity for ambitious historical storytelling on theatrical scale—a phenomenon that will influence future Indian cinema production strategies and casting choices.
