Vicky Kaushal’s much-awaited historical drama Chhaava, now streaming on Netflix, has stirred a flurry of reactions across social media. Centered around the life and legacy of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the film attempts to blend intense action, emotional depth, and patriotic fervor into a cinematic tribute. However, the audience verdict remains split — while many are hailing the film as a powerful period drama, others criticize its execution and historical portrayal.
The Praise: Stellar Performances and Goosebump Moments
A significant number of viewers appreciated the film’s grandeur and action sequences. Preethi Warrier shared on X (formerly Twitter), “A very impactful movie, high on action and drama. The war scenes are depicted powerfully… Good performances overall but the movie rests on Vicky Kaushal’s able shoulders. Historical drama at its best, go watch.”
Mousumi Mukherjee echoed a similar sentiment, calling Chhaava “an extraordinary cinematic masterpiece that brings the legendary story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji to life… capturing one of the most powerful chapters of Indian history with grandeur and emotion.”
Lakshman Sai Kumar Tumati was also impressed, rating the movie 3.5 stars and calling it “intense goosebumps stuff”. He praised Vicky Kaushal’s portrayal and stated that the film “retells the fact that Mughals & British only reigned over us because some Indians betrayed the whole India.”
Manisha Rajput added an emotional reaction to the mix: “Dil dahal gaya. Hinduon ka astitva abhi bhi bacha hai kyunki har yug mein Sambhaji Maharaj jaise prakarmi Hindu hue hain.” Her post reflects how the film resonated deeply with viewers who hold the historical narrative close to their hearts.
The Criticism: VFX, Historical Accuracy, and Overdramatization
However, not everyone was impressed. Several users voiced concerns about the film’s cinematic flaws and overdramatization.
Lakshman, despite his praise, pointed out flaws such as “half-baked VFX” and expressed disappointment that “Chhatrapati’s demise wasn’t shown on screen again — they just tell, but no show.”
Another user, posting under the name Live.Love.Laugh, questioned the lead actor’s performance style: “Why is Vicky Kaushal shouting so much and showing anger in his shaking rage face in the fight scenes?” They appreciated Akshay’s subtle performance more, calling it “subtle but strong.”
Geeta Madhavan was far more critical, taking a broader swipe at the film and Bollywood: “They take masala entertainer, mix it with propaganda and pretend it’s history… Absolute fantasy pretending to be history. Bozos believe it’s true while the producer rakes in money.” Her strong reaction suggests concerns about the film’s historical integrity.
Another user sarcastically questioned how the film made so much money, claiming they stopped watching after just 12 minutes. Their criticism highlights growing skepticism about the commercialization of historical narratives in Indian cinema.
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