Chhaava makers delete the controversial scene

Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna's periodic entertainer Chhaava directed by Lakshman Utekar is slated for a grand release on 14 Feb 2025. The film's promotions increased the expectations and the trailer got good response.

However a song featuring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna in the trailer resulted in a huge controversy and Maharashtra minister even threated to stop the film release if the makers do not delete the scene. Following this, director Lakshman Uthekar decided to delete the scene and confirmed the same on the social media.

He "I have met Raj Thackeray. He is an avid reader and studious person. So I have taken some suggestions and guidance from him. And I can say, his words are very helpful for me. And after meeting him, I have decided to delete those scenes where we have shown Sambhaji Maharaj was playing Lezim dance,"

He went on to add "Lezim dance is not a big deal. Sambhaji Maharaj is very much bigger than that Lezim dance. So we are going to remove those scenes from film,"

Speaking about the film,he said "When Sambhaji Maharaj launched an attack in Barhanpur, he was just 20 years old. We have taken the rights of Shivaji Sawant's book titled Chhava where he wrote about Sambhaji Maharaj taking part in the Holi festival. He would remove a coconut from the holy fire. We thought of Maharaj as a 20-year-old. It was obvious that he had played the Lezim dance. And why not? Lezim is a part of Maratha culture. It is just our traditional dance. But, if anyone is hurt by those dance moves or Lezim dance, we will remove them. Lezim dance is not bigger than Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj,"

He added  "We have organised a special premiere show on 29th of January. Some historians and people who study history will be there. We will take their guidance."