Chhaava filmmaker Laxman Utekar meets Raj Thackeray, promises to remove controversial scenes before release

Laxman Utekar meets Raj Thackeray

Filmmaker Laxman Utekar met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray to address concerns surrounding his upcoming film Chhaava. The movie, starring Vicky Kaushal, has faced criticism over certain scenes, leading to controversy. After the meeting, the director assured the media that all "objectionable" scenes would be removed before the film's release.

Laxman Utekar explained that the intention behind the film is not to hurt anyone’s sentiments. He also confirmed that a particular scene in which Vicky Kaushal is shown performing Lezim, a traditional folk dance from Maharashtra, would be cut from the movie.

The controversy had started earlier when Maharashtra minister Uday Samant expressed his disapproval of a scene showing Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the historical figure, dancing. Samant called for the removal of this scene, warning that if objections were not addressed, the film would not be allowed to release. He suggested that the film should be shown to historians and scholars to ensure accuracy.

Following Samant's remarks, Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, also expressed his concerns. He emphasized the importance of presenting the story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj authentically and offered to help connect the filmmakers with historians to address any inaccuracies before the film's release.

Chhaava is a historical drama focusing on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Vicky Kaushal plays the lead role, and the film also features Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, Ashutosh Rana, and Divya Dutta in significant roles. The movie is scheduled to release on February 14, 2025.