Chhaava – Shhhhhh!!!! PK Verdict: Tin⭐️⭐️

Chhaava – Shhhhhh!!!!

Laxman Utekar’s Chhaava is a film so loud that my Apple Watch kept buzzing every 30 seconds, warning me about the excessive noise levels. Unfortunately, that sums up the movie—it’s all sound and fury, signifying nothing. Despite Vicky Kaushal’s dedication, this stands as his weakest film. The execution feels more like an over-the-top school play—high on theatrics but lacking real drama. Instead of an engaging narrative, we’re subjected to a relentless barrage of “AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH” as Kaushal empties his lungs at every opportunity.

The trailer was the film’s peak—it showcased everything Chhaava had to offer. Beyond that, it’s just an uninspired, monotonous series of screams. The film fails to hold attention and quickly turns into a tiresome watch.

What’s sorely missing is the grandeur and immersive storytelling that Sanjay Leela Bhansali brings to period dramas. Even with A.R. Rahman’s score, Chhaava lacks soul and feels like an overwhelming wall of noise. The execution falters, wasting an otherwise talented cast.

Despite Vicky Kaushal’s commendable effort, his portrayal of Sambhaji Maharaj lacks emotional depth. His character often comes across as one-dimensional, more focused on delivering loud monologues than embodying the internal conflicts of the warrior king. Akshaye Khanna, despite his strong screen presence, gets minimal screen time, and his Aurangzeb lacks the weight and intensity the character demands. Neil Bhoopalam’s Akbar is another misfire, with an odd dialogue delivery that makes his portrayal feel more like a rehearsal than a cinematic performance.

Divya Dutta stands out with a solid performance, and Rashmika Mandanna is decent, but the film lacks the chemistry that Bhansali masterfully creates in Ram-Leela, Padmaavat, or Bajirao Mastani. Diana Penty’s character feels eerily similar to the English lady in RRR, the one yelling, “He didn’t kneel,” with the same exaggerated severity. Surprisingly, I found Arjun Kapoor’s Panipat to be a better film than Chhaava. This one is a wasted opportunity.

The cinematography is equally lackluster, with aerial shots that seem to serve no purpose other than reminding the audience that it’s daytime. The war sequences are chaotic, poorly choreographed, and drowned in overwhelming, discomforting noise. The background score can best be described as background shor (noise).

The film starts on a promising note with its opening action sequence, setting the right tone, but it quickly loses steam. It assumes the audience already knows the history and focuses more on visual spectacle than on coherent storytelling. What could have been a powerful cinematic retelling of history instead turns into a forgettable, box-office-driven affair that relies entirely on Vicky Kaushal’s goodwill. it simplifies him into a mere action hero. This not only reduces the film’s impact but also feels like a wasted opportunity to educate and inspire.

I have immense love and respect for Vicky Kaushal, both as an actor and as a person, but Chhaava is a massive letdown. It had the potential to be his career-defining role but instead ranks as his weakest.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, I missed you! Shhhhhh!!!!

PK Verdict: Tin ⭐⭐