Laxman Utekar, the director of the upcoming film Chhaava, has vowed to remove a controversial dance scene after meeting with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray.
The scene in question, which features Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna dancing with the Lezim, a traditional instrument from Maharashtra, had sparked objections from several political figures and historical experts.
Director's statement
After his meeting with Thackeray, Utekar expressed that he had taken the leader's suggestions into account. "Raj Thackeray is an avid reader and a studious person, so I found his guidance very helpful," Utekar said. He specifically addressed the scene depicting Sambhaji Maharaj performing the Lezim dance, stating, "Sambhaji Maharaj is much bigger than that Lezim dance, and we have decided to remove those scenes."
Special premiere for historical experts
Utekar explained that the film’s portrayal of a young Sambhaji Maharaj had been influenced by the historical fiction of Shivaji Sawant's book Chhava. He mentioned that the scene was meant to show the king as a 20-year-old, participating in cultural activities like the Holi festival. To ensure historical accuracy, Utekar announced a special premiere of the film on January 29, where historians and experts will evaluate the film.
Objections from Maharashtra Minister
Before Utekar decided to remove the scenes, Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant had expressed his concerns about the film on social media. Samant emphasized that while it was encouraging to see a film on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, certain scenes had raised objections. He suggested that the film should be shown to experts before its release to ensure its authenticity.
About 'Chhaava'
Chhaava is a historical drama that explores the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Vicky Kaushal stars as the lead, with Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, Ashutosh Rana, and Divya Dutta in pivotal roles. The film, produced by Maddock Films, is set to release on February 14, 2025.
