New Delhi: Several films, predominantly regional, have been made about Maratha warriors. But for actor Ankit Anil Sharma it hasn’t been enough. He said that Chhaava would finally give the Maratha warriors the recognition they deserve.
“Never before has the story of a Maratha king been told with such grandeur,” said the actor who plays Maratha warrior Santaji Gorpade in the film.
Directed by Laxman Utekar and starring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna, Chhaava is based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is adapted from the Marathi novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant.
“Regional cinema often lacks the budget to truly capture the grandeur and stature of the Maratha kings,” Sharma said. “Meanwhile, big-budget Bollywood films have never focused on a Maratha king. Ajay Devgn’s Tanhaji tells the story of a military commander, and Ranveer Singh’s Bajirao Mastani is about Peshwa Bajirao I, who was a chief minister.”
Sharma portrays one of the eight generals in Sambhaji Maharaj’s brigade. When he first learned about the film, he was determined to be a part of it in any capacity.
“I’ve always had a deep connection with this story,” he said. Since childhood, Sharma has been playing the role of Sambhaji Maharaj in a theatre production called Jag Utha Hai Raigarh.
“I even had the costume, so I wore it to the audition,” he recalled.
During his first meeting with director Laxman Utekar, Sharma immediately sensed the filmmaker’s unwavering mission: to tell the story of Sambhaji Maharaj—his bravery, his valour, his tragic death, and more.
“People are familiar with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Maharana Pratap, but few know the story of Sambhaji Maharaj,” he said. “After Chhaava, everyone will remember him.”
On Vicky Kaushal
Sharma is deeply impressed by Vicky Kaushal’s dedication and humble nature.
“He truly embodied the character, even off-screen,” Sharma said, recalling how, during their first meeting, Kaushal made a powerful statement: “All nine of us need to work together like a tight fist.”
“He made us feel at ease. Not once did he display any star arrogance.”
Sharma noted how Kaushal went above and beyond in preparing for the role, which is why his portrayal of a Maratha king feels so authentic.
“He would wake up at 4 am, even if the shoot call time was 6 am. We’d show up at 6, sipping our black coffee, and he’d already be in his vanity van, sweating it out—lifting weights and listening to music,” Sharma recalled.
During horse-riding and sword training, which was done in the traditional Maharashtrian akhada style, Kaushal excelled.
“His stick (sword) is the fastest of all. He demonstrated remarkable precision and dedication through regular practice,” he said.
For the role, Kaushal followed a strict, protein-rich vegetarian diet.
“He’d eat soya chunks, mushrooms, and beetroot tikki. His meals were interesting. Many times, we ate with him, and while the food was healthy and nutritious, it was incredibly delicious,” Sharma said.
The ‘Lezim’ controversy
Chhaava recently found itself embroiled in controversy with the CBFC over a dispute surrounding the Lezim dance.
In the trailer, Vicky Kaushal, portraying Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, was shown performing the traditional dance alongside Rashmika Mandanna, who plays his wife, Maharani Yesubai. Naysayers said it was inappropriate for a king to take part in such a dance.
The scene sparked outrage after several prominent politicians, including Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Uday Samant and Raj Thackeray, objected to the inclusion of the dance. Utekar announced that the dance would be removed after a meeting with Raj Thackeray.
However, Sharma said this decision represents a missed opportunity to promote Maharashtra’s rich cultural heritage.
“Lezim is an ancient dance form in Maharashtra, much like Garba in Gujarat or Bhangra in Punjab. Had it been featured in the film, Lezim could have gained international recognition,” Sharma said. “People follow Vicky Kaushal’s dance moves, so the Lezim would’ve likely taken over social media platforms like Instagram Reels.”
Sharma wants Chhaava to be screened for “experts” before its release, emphasising that “anything that tarnishes the honour of the Maharaj will not be tolerated.”
Additionally, a recent report indicates that the CBFC has requested the removal of a scene showing Maratha warriors wearing sarees. Several dialogues have also been altered, with words like “Aameen” replaced by “Jai Bhavani,” and insults being muted.
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‘A sense of achievement’
Ankit Anil Sharma is known for his performances in Gulaab Gang (2014), Turtle (2018), Waah Zindagi (2021), Mimamsa (2022), and Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.
After working with Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla in Gulaab Gang in 2014, Sharma expected to receive calls from producers and directors, but nothing materialised.
He went on to take on smaller roles in various films but never received an offer for a big-budget commercial film.
With Chhaava, he said he feels a sense of achievement.
“This is a major milestone for me, one of the biggest highs of my career,” he said.
However, he’s hoping for more, “My due is still pending. I’ve reached out to directors and producers to see Chhaava. This time, I’m not waiting for good things to come to me. I’m knocking on the door.”