Last Updated:
Mahesh Manjrekar believes Chhaava’s triumph belongs more to the legacy of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and the pride of Maharashtra, rather than Vicky Kaushal.
Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava crosses ₹800 crore globally. Mahesh Manjrekar says the film’s success is due to Sambhaji Maharaj’s legacy and Maharashtra’s pride, not just Vicky’s stardom.
Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, directed by Laxman Utekar, has not only conquered the box office but also stirred pride among audiences, especially in Maharashtra. Based on the life of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the historical action drama shattered records, grossing an impressive ₹800 crore worldwide.
In a recent interview with Mirchi Marathi, veteran actor-filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar weighed in on the film’s phenomenal success. However, he offered a candid perspective — suggesting that the triumph was more about the historical character than the actor headlining it.
Speaking in Marathi, Mahesh said, “Vicky Kaushal is a very fine actor. His film Chhaava collected ₹800 crore. But Vicky Kaushal cannot say that people came to see him. Otherwise, they would have come to watch his previous five films too. The audience came to see the character of Sambhaji Maharaj. His earlier films didn’t perform like this.”
Manjrekar further emphasized that it was Maharashtra that truly powered the film’s historic run. “My Maharashtra has saved the Hindi film industry, remember this. Today, Chhaava is doing well, and 80% of its credit goes to Maharashtra. In fact, 90% of the credit goes to Pune and the surrounding regions. Maharashtra can save the industry,” he declared proudly.
According to trade tracking portal Sacnilk, Chhaava has crossed ₹600 crore in India alone, while globally, it has amassed a staggering ₹807.6 crore.
The film, directed by Mimi and Luka Chuppi fame Laxman Utekar, not only featured Vicky Kaushal in a powerful portrayal of Sambhaji Maharaj but also starred Rashmika Mandanna as his wife, Yesubai Bhonsale. The ensemble cast included notable performances by Akshaye Khanna, Ashutosh Rana, and Divya Dutta. Chhaava has been produced by Dinesh Vijan under the Maddock Films banner.