This Friday, February 14, the year’s first historical drama, Chhaava, featuring Vicky Kaushal in the titular role, will hit theatres. The film portrays the narrative of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and also stars Rashmika Mandanna and Akshaye Khanna in key roles. Ahead of its release, the film has received a U/A 16+ certificate following CBFC clearance, which mandated significant edits.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) requested various changes in Chhaava. Notably, certain dialogues were modified, some words were muted, and a scene depicting Maratha warriors in sarees was removed. For example, the original line, “Mughal sultanat ka zehar” (The poison of the Mughal Sultanate), was altered to a less provocative, “Uss samay, kayi shaasak aur sultanat khud ko zinda rakhne ki koshish kar rahe the.” (At that time, many rulers and sultanates were trying to keep themselves alive.) Additionally, the phrase “Khoon toh aakhir Mughalon ka hi hai” (After all, the blood is that of the Mughals) was revised to “Khoon toh hai Aurang ka hi.” (After all, the blood is Aurangzeb’s.)
Furthermore, terms like “haramzaadon” and “haramzaada” were toned down, and the word “Aameen” was replaced with “Jai Bhavani.” Other word substitutions included changing “14 saal” to “16 saal” and “24 saal ka ladka” to “22 saal ka ladka.” Such edits were implemented not just to meet the CBFC standards but also to present a more nuanced historical narrative.
As part of the revision process, the CBFC also required the inclusion of an audio-text disclaimer highlighting the source material and assuring viewers that the video does not aim to distort historical events. After the revisions, the producers of Chhaava received their censor certificate on February 1, allowing the film’s release on the scheduled date. The final runtime of the film is 161.50 minutes, equating to 2 hours, 41 minutes, and 50 seconds.
Laxman Utekar, recognized for his works such as Luka Chuppi (2019), Mimi (2021), and Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (2023), directed Chhaava, which is greatly anticipated by fans and historians alike. These edits by the CBFC reflect an ongoing dialogue about the portrayal of historical figures and events in cinema, further emphasizing the film’s significance in contemporary discussions surrounding cultural representation and historical accuracy.
