The conversation around Vicky Kaushal’s historical film Chhaava has taken a new turn. After music composer AR Rahman earlier described the film as “divisive,” writer Rishi Virmani has now shared his side of the story.
Virmani, who co-wrote the screenplay and dialogues of Chhaava, said he does not believe that a film can change people’s mindset in just a few hours. He explained that audiences are smart and think for themselves.
Rishi Virmani Says Films Cannot Change Mindsets
Speaking about the debate, Rishi Virmani said it is hard to believe that a movie can influence an entire community’s thinking. He pointed out that people already have their own understanding and beliefs before they enter a theatre.
He also shared that he has not seen this kind of emotional connection between a film and the audience in a long time. For him, the response to Chhaava showed how strongly viewers connected with the story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
Virmani added that audiences often surprise filmmakers. Sometimes, a film performs very differently from what experts predict. He believes viewers always make their own judgments.
AR Rahman’s Earlier Statement on Chhaava
AR Rahman, who composed the music for Chhaava, had earlier said that the film felt divisive. He mentioned that while the film focused on bravery, it also touched upon sensitive themes. Rahman had also said that people have their own conscience and cannot be easily manipulated by cinema.
His comment started discussions about whether historical films should be handled more carefully. Now, Virmani’s response adds another layer to that debate.
Chhaava and the Story of Sambhaji Maharaj
Chhaava is based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the second ruler of the Maratha Empire. The film is adapted from the Marathi novel written by Shivaji Sawant.
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Virmani said that Sambhaji Maharaj deserved cinematic honour long ago. He expressed hope that the film would help more people understand and appreciate the historical figure.
In the film, Vicky Kaushal played Sambhaji Maharaj, while Rashmika Mandanna portrayed Yesubai. Akshaye Khanna took on the role of Aurangzeb. The film was directed by Laxman Utekar.
Box Office Success and Public Reaction
Mounted on a big budget, Chhaava turned out to be a massive box office success. It earned over Rs 800 crore worldwide and became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 2025.
While the film received strong appreciation for performances and scale, it also became part of public discussions due to its theme. Despite the debate, the movie’s commercial success shows that it struck a chord with a large section of viewers.
With Rishi Virmani now speaking openly, the focus remains on how historical stories are told in Bollywood and how audiences choose to receive them.
Author: Purnima s
Purnima | Entertainment Blogger 4+ yrs writing fun blogs on movies, celebs & trends. Pop culture addict serving fresh, binge-worthy content!
