Vicky Kaushal starrer Chhaava: Who was Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the real story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's son

Actor Vicky Kaushal, whose film “Chhaava” sparked controversy over a lezim dance sequence featuring his character Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, said the now-deleted scene was an effort from the makers to promote Maharashtra’s culture worldwide.

Directed by Laxman Utekar, “Chhaava” sees Kaushal in the role of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Maratha empire founder Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film has roared at the box-office by collecting approximately Rs 70 crore in two days. But who was Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj? He was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s son.

Sambhaji Maharaj was a fearless warrior who defected to the Mughal Empire and served under Diler Khan in the Battle of Bhupalgarh against Shivaji. He ascended the throne following his father’s death, with his rule being largely shaped by the ongoing wars between the Marathas and the Mughal Empire, as well as other neighbouring powers such as the Siddi of Janjira, Wadiyars of Mysore and the Portuguese Empire in Goa.

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In 1688, he was captured by Mughal forces and executed. A year after his execution, Mughals had been in control of most of Khandesh, forts of northern Maharashtra and Konkan. He was succeeded by brother Rajaram I as the next Chhatrapati and continued the Mughal–Maratha Wars.

Sambhaji was born at Purandar fort to the MarathaEmperor Shivaji, and his first wife, Saibai, who died when he was two years old. He was then raised by his paternal grandmother Jijabai.

Talking about the aforementioned deleted song, Kaushal, who interacted with the media in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, said the intent of the cast and crew of Chhaava was clean right from the outset.

“Not a single day went by when we didn’t start work on the film without the Shivgarjana (slogans about the courage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj). The lezim part was just for 20-30 seconds (in the film). Not just a (part of the) story but it was an effort of taking our culture to the globe.