Ankit Anil Sharma on 'Chhaava': "Working with Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandana Was a Truly Special Experience"

Chhaava is based on the novel Chhaava by Shivaji Sawant, which depicts the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Sharma shares his excitement about the project, saying, "When I first received the offer for the film, the first thing I did was read the entire novel to understand the chemistry between Sambhaji Maharaj and Santaji Gorpade. After that, I studied the history of Santaji Gorpade to understand what kind of person he was, and what his mindset must have been like—especially considering he was so powerful that even Aurangzeb trembled at the mere mention of his name."

Preparing for the Role of a Warrior

Sharma explains the immense physical transformation he underwent for the role, highlighting the biggest challenge: "The biggest challenge in preparing for the role was physically transforming myself to match the character. Whenever we think of a warrior, a specific image comes to mind. Shaping myself to match that image was a lot of hard work. I decided to leave the gym and instead focused on traditional training methods. Since there were no gym machines in that era, I adopted the ancient, Indian style of physical training—things like dands (push-ups), uthak baithak (squats), and other forms of traditional exercises."

In addition, the production team arranged for horse riding and sword fighting training, which Sharma underwent for about three months. "The sword fighting was specifically tailored to the traditional Maharashtrian style. We also had a special training camp where we choreographed and practiced our action sequences. So, preparing physically like a warrior was definitely a challenging yet rewarding process."

On Set with Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandana

Sharma shares his experiences working with his co-stars, particularly Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandana. "It was a lot of fun working with everyone. We spent almost a year together during the film’s process. Especially with Vicky bhai, it was such a great experience. I’ve never met someone as genuine and simple as him. He’s someone who ensures everyone moves forward together. There was a scene where Vicky and I were working together, and after the take, he came up to me and said, 'Bro, you did great, it was fun.'"

Sharma also reflects on his scenes with Rashmika, noting the support he received from her. "My scene with Rashmika was also special, and she fully supported me during that moment. Everyone, whether it was Vineet Kumar or Ashutosh Rana, was so collaborative and supportive on set. I had long conversations with Ashutosh Sir, and I learned a lot from him. Vineet bhai’s energy was incredible, and I really enjoyed spending time with him."

Sharma recalls the collective spirit shared by the entire cast. "I can say that we all shared one thought in our minds—that we were all warriors for Sambhaji Maharaj, and we carried that spirit with us on set. We worked like a team, almost like one big gang."

A Film That Honors the Sacrifices of Sambhaji Maharaj

Reflecting on the importance of Chhaava, Sharma emphasizes the dedication and hard work that went into making the film, saying, "What makes Chhaava a must-watch is the sheer dedication with which all of us worked on this film. It’s truly a film that has come out beautifully, and I can say that after a long time, there’s a movie that deserves to be seen in theatres. It has action, grand sets, brilliant actors, great songs, and most importantly, it tells the life story of Sambhaji Maharaj."

He further adds, "This is a film that will give you a deep understanding of the sacrifices made by Sambhaji Maharaj. It’s not just an entertainment film—it’s a film that will fill you with pride. Watching this film will make you reflect on how our ancestors fought to protect our country, our civilization, and our culture. How they fought battles against external forces, shed blood, and made sacrifices for the freedom and heritage we now enjoy."