Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, Ashutosh Rana, Divya Dutta

Chhaava is a 2025 Indian historical action-drama directed by Laxman Utekar, depicting the life and reign of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the warrior king and heir of the legendary Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Running 161 minutes, the film blends battlefield spectacle with the political and personal pressures facing a king defending an empire.

What is Chhaava about?

Set in 17th-century India, the film follows Sambhaji Maharaj as he assumes the Maratha throne after his father Shivaji's death — a transition shadowed by court conspiracies, rival claimants, and the relentless military campaigns of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Sambhaji, fiercely independent and courageous, must hold together a fractured kingdom while fighting on multiple fronts. The story portrays his loyalty to his people, the personal costs of leadership, his relationship with his queen Yesubai, and the unyielding spirit he brings to a conflict that will define the fate of the Maratha Empire. The film chronicles his rise, resistance, and the ultimate price he pays for refusing to surrender.

Cast & crew

Vicky Kaushal leads as Sambhaji Maharaj, bringing physical intensity and emotional range to a demanding role. Rashmika Mandanna plays Yesubai, the queen who stands beside him through the empire's trials. Akshaye Khanna portrays the calculating Mughal antagonist, while veteran actors Ashutosh Rana and Divya Dutta anchor supporting roles that add weight to the court drama. Director Laxman Utekar, known for his work in mainstream Hindi cinema, here takes on grand historical canvas with a large ensemble.

Context & significance

For Persian-speaking and Iranian-diaspora audiences, Chhaava carries real resonance — it tells the story of a king who refused to bow to an overwhelming empire, a theme that echoes across Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures alike. The conflict between Sambhaji and Aurangzeb maps onto universal questions of sovereignty, dignity, and resistance that diaspora viewers often find deeply meaningful regardless of their own heritage. The Maratha-Mughal wars are among the most dramatic chapters in subcontinental history, and this film brings them to life with scale and emotional directness. Available on K-Time with a full Persian dub, it is accessible to viewers of all generations in the community — including those who prefer watching in Persian rather than Hindi.

Where & how to watch

Chhaava is available on K-Time with Persian dub and Persian subtitles. You can stream it on the web, on your TV دستگاه, or on your phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, no extra download required. Subscribe and cancel anytime.