'Chhaava' controversy: Dance scenes from Vicky Kaushal's film will be deleted respecting public sentiments, says director

The film Chhaava is based on ‘Chhava’, a book written by late novelist Shivaji Sawant on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Bhosale.

Mumbai: As Chhaava, an upcoming Hindi film on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Bhosale, has landed in a controversy with people objecting to a Lezim dance sequence in the movie involving the warrior-king and Maharani Yesubai, the filmmakers on Monday decided to delete the scenes.

Sambhaji Maharaj (14 May 1657 - 11 March 1989) is the son of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji. Chhava in Marathi means lion’s cub.

The film Chhaava is based on ‘Chhava’, a book written by late novelist Shivaji Sawant.

The Hindi historical biopic action film Chhaava is directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan, the founder of Maddock Films.

The main cast includes Vicky Kaushal as Sambhaji Maharaj, Rashmika Mandanna as Maharani Yesubai and Akshaye Khanna as Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

The film is slated to be released on February 14.

Amid the controversy, Utekar met MNS President Raj Thackeray and decided to delete the dance sequence. “Lezim is a traditional Maharashtrian dance… but, yes, we have decided to delete the dance sequence because of the public sentiments,” Utekar said.

Later, state Industries Minister and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant, who had objected to the dance sequence, too welcomed the decision of the filmmaker.

"The controversy over the dance sequence in the film Chhava is now coming to an end... the producers and directors of the film have removed the dance sequence,” said Samant.

“If the demand has been accepted, then why should there be any objections?,” he added.

Shrimant Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosle of Satara, a direct descendent of Shivaji and Sambhaji, who is the BJP MP and Yuvraj Sambhaji Chhatrapati of Kolhapur, a former President-appointed Rajya Sabha member, has objected to the dance sequence.

Udayanraje also spoke to the filmmakers and requested them to delete the dance sequence.

Last week, Samant said that the film should be screened for experts before its release. Samant also asked the producers and directors of Chhaava to act responsibly and had warned that the film's release could be "blocked" if any offensive content remains.

"It is a matter of joy that a Hindi film based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the protector of religion and protector of freedom, is being made. Such efforts are necessary to make the world understand the history of Chhatrapati. However, many have expressed their opinions that there are some objectionable scenes in this film which need to be deleted,” he said.

According to Udayanraje, the film should be shown to experts first. “The objectionable portions need to be released,” he said.

On the other hand, Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati said: “In the movie Chhava, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is seen playing and dancing on the lezim. Lezim is our cultural heritage. Playing lezim is not wrong. But how appropriate is it to dance to that song? Should this be taken in cinematic liberty? This needs to be discussed.”