Maharashtra's Love For Chhaava Is Undeniable, But Let's Not Sideline Vicky Kaushal
When a film like Chhaava rakes in Rs 800 crore globally at a time when the Hindi film industry is struggling to find solid footing, it becomes more than just a box-office figure, it becomes a statement. It speaks volumes about the power of storytelling, the magnetism of history, and of course, the talent involved. Veteran director Mahesh Manjrekar, in a recent interview, credited Maharashtra, particularly Pune, for the film's colossal success. His pride in his home state's overwhelming support is understandable, even admirable. But somewhere in his celebration, the contribution of one of the film's most vital forces, Vicky Kaushal, seems to be politely elbowed out of the frame.
Manjrekar argued that audiences came to see the 'character', not the actor. According to him, the same crowds didn't show up for Vicky's previous films, suggesting that it was Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's aura alone that filled theatres. There's some truth in that sentiment as historical figures, especially revered ones, do carry a certain built-in audience. Yet, to say the actor becomes invisible behind the character is a romantic notion that doesn't always hold up to scrutiny.
Actors bring life, nuance, and accessibility to these monumental figures. Without Vicky’s layered performance -- the delicate balance between fierceness and vulnerability -- Chhaava might have been a well-mounted but hollow spectacle. In that case, anyone could have played the warrior and it wouldn't have made any difference.
Portraying a figure as towering as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj demands more than just donning armour and riding into battle; it demands emotional authenticity, something Vicky clearly delivered, and audiences responded to.
Let's take a closer look at the numbers. Chhaava earned over Rs 600 crore at the Indian box office. As per a report by Bollywood Hungama, the film collected Rs 265.44 crore from the Mumbai region alone, followed by Rs 92.65 crore from Delhi-Uttar Pradesh and Rs 49.15 crore from East Punjab. While Maharashtra undoubtedly played a major role in the film's box office success, the contributions from other regions were far from negligible.
Box office failure of other historic films
Also, going by Manjrekar's logic, one can't help but wonder: if Chhaava succeeded purely because of its content and not because of Vicky's presence, then why didn't Phule work?
Phule, a film based on the lives of iconic social reformers Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule, champions of women's education and caste eradication. It opened to a dismal Rs 21 lakh at the box office on April 25, 2025. If strong content alone is the marker of success, as Manjrekar suggests, this stark underperformance raises an uncomfortable question: why the disparity? Where is the overwhelming audience support for a film rooted in Maharashtra's own powerful social history?
In recent years, unlike Chhaava, several big-budget period dramas have failed to strike a chord with audiences in Maharashtra. A prime example is Panipat (2019), starring Arjun Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, the film was based on the historic Third Battle of Panipat, a subject deeply rooted in Maratha history. Despite its cultural relevance and grand scale, the film failed to resonate with local audiences and ended its theatrical run with a modest lifetime collection of just Rs 34.28 crore in India.
In fact, the 2024 Marathi film Shivrayancha Chhava, also based on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, earned nearly Rs 14 crore in its final theatrical run.
So, it's worth noting that Chhaava's success is not only about historical devotion or regional loyalty. It's about cinema doing what it does best: making icons feel human and history feel urgent.
Reducing Vicky's role to a mere vehicle for the character underestimates the actor's contribution and, frankly, the audience's discernment. Viewers today, no matter where they are from, recognise good performances and reward them.
Of course, Maharashtra's support has been the lifeblood of Chhaava's journey. There's no denying that. The emotional connection to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's legacy runs deep, and it's heartening to see a regional pride translate into national success. But when a film crosses state borders, wins hearts beyond its cultural heartland, and creates ripples across the global box office, it's rarely because of one factor alone.
Maharashtra may have saved Chhaava but Vicky certainly helped lead the charge.
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