Vicky Kaushal's period drama, Chhaava, is expected to take a flying start at the box office because the advance booking collection has already crossed ₹4.24 crore ahead of its release on February 14.

Based on the brave story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the movie has an ensemble cast and intriguing storyline, hence emerging as one of the most anticipated releases this year, in 2025.

Chhaava' is a film directed by Laxman Utekar, based on the renowned Marathi novel 'Chhava' by Shivaji Sawant. It promises to take its audience on a journey through the untold story of the Maratha warrior-son of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The film tells the story of the turbulent and heroic life of Sambhaji Maharaj, who ascended the throne in 1681 to protect the Maratha empire from foreign invasions, especially from the Mughal empire led by the ruthless Aurangzeb.

Vicky Kaushal essays the titular role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. He is known for his stellar performances in films like Raazi and Uri: The Surgical Strike. The interest of filmmakers is piqued by his depiction of the courageous and determined Maratha ruler. Along with him, Rashmika Mandanna plays Maharani Yesubai, wife of Sambhaji Maharaj, with full vigor and strength of womanhood in Vegamandalam. Akshaye Khanna has played the role of Aurangzeb, one of the most notorious figures of the Mughal Empire.

The storyline of the film has been termed a "stirring saga" of a king whose coronation marked the beginning of an era of fierce resistance against the Mughal forces. The film is being promoted as a presentation of the struggles, sacrifices, and victories of the Maratha Samraj and is expected to focus on the integrity and bravery of its king, Sambhaji Maharaj, in his fight against the oppressive forces of Aurangzeb for his kingdom.

Advance Bookings and Box Office Expectations

It was in the talks as Chhaava has already recorded a remarkable impression with the advance bookings even when the film is releasing within days. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the estimated advance is around ₹4.24 crore, which signals a good start on the opening day, February 14, 2025. The advance booking numbers also indicate that this film is sure to make good box office news and that fans are looking forward to its release.

While Chhaava has generated enough hype with its historic plot and stellar cast, the release date itself is a well-planned strategy to avoid the clash with other big-ticket films. The film was earlier supposed to hit the theatres on December 6, 2024. However, looking at the craze that was built up with the release of Pushpa 2, the makers postponed the film to February 14, 2025, in order not to get buried under the frenzy and affect its box office run. It finally works in the film's favour when Chhaava gets a lucrative release this coming February amid relatively less direct big-ticket release competition.

Film Promotions and Star Cast's Golden Temple Visit

The leads for Chhaava, starring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna, are promoting their upcoming movie via their campaign tour by visiting the city to get back in the business of talking and drumming among their respective fandoms. They first visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where they offered prayers before the release of the film. The actors took to social media and shared the experience thereof. Vicky Kaushal termed the temple 'a peaceful and divine' place. His emotional post read, "There's something about #SriHarmandirSahib! The peace, the divinity, the power of prayer. As we bring #Chhaava to the world, I hope it reflects even a fraction of the strength and devotion this sacred place inspires."

Meanwhile, Rashmika Mandanna shared an Instagram story from Amritsar, in which she clicked a picture with Vicky Kaushal in front of the jet plane, geared up to begin the next lap of promotions. Her caption was filled with excitement- "Amritsar. Ki Haal aaaa!!!" The charisma in these actor's social media posts and the way they personally connect with their audiences has built anticipation and hype for Chhaava.

Storyline and Key Themes

The narrative of Chhaava focuses on the legacy of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, whose coronation as the king of the Maratha empire in 1681 marked a significant turning point in Indian history. The film is set against the backdrop of the Maratha Empire's fierce resistance to the Mughal invasions and highlights Sambhaji’s unyielding commitment to safeguarding his people and his kingdom. The film is anticipated to portray the valor, wisdom, and determination of this unsung hero, who fought relentlessly to preserve his legacy.

By director Laxman Utekar, Chhaava promises to be an immersive cinematic experience-a realization of rich cultural and historical tapestry across Maharashtra. Known for his creative contribution to movies like Luka Chuppi and Mimi, the filmmaker brings in a fresh perspective that is mesmerizing concerning historical stories. The film's directorial skill in mingling drama with real-life narration has further added excitement to the release of Chhaava.

The Significance of the Release Date

The makers of Chhaava, too, took to Instagram to express their excitement and mark the relevance of the release date of the film. Their heartwarming post read, "On 16th January 1681, the Rajyabhishek ceremony of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj bequeathed the legendary legacy to the world! 344 years later, we bring his story of unshaken courage and glory to life." The strategic release on February 14, 2025, comes at a time when the film industry is expecting a strong audience turnout, and the positive buzz surrounding Chhaava only adds to its anticipation.

A Star-Studded Cast and Epic Storytelling

Chhaava is produced under the banner of Maddock Films, headed by an ensemble consisting of some of the finest lots of talent in Indian cinema. The highlight of the movie will be Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. He will definitely nail it by adding more conviction to this historically important character through his intense performance. Akshaye Khanna too will be interesting to see as the demon king Aurangzeb and is said to be studying how the Mughal emperor reigned.

The production value of the film and its historical accuracy have also been a point of focus, as the team paid attention to every minute detail in order to create a period drama that is as true to life as it is engaging. The captivating visuals along with the intriguing storyline are destined to transport the audience to the 17th century and make them first-hand witness to the trials and triumphs of the Maratha warriors.

As Chhaava inches closer to its release, all eyes are on this epic historical drama to deliver a memorable cinematic experience. With strong advance bookings, a very related storyline based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and an ensemble star cast, this movie is expected to leave a mark at the box office from February 14, 2025, onward. The promotions have already set the ball rolling for the film, with the heartfelt visit to the Golden Temple by Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna and their interaction with fans. Whether it will outshine the expectations at the box office is yet to be seen, but Chhaava definitely seems born for a successful launch, engaging all those viewers who like to watch historic dramas based on bravery and sacrifice.