Mumbai: After meeting MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Monday, director of film ‘Chhaava’ Laxman Utekar announced that Vicky Kaushal’s dance sequence will be removed from the film. He also agreed to incorporate all changes suggested by the MNS chief.
In the film’s trailer, Vicky Kaushal who plays Chatrapati Sambhaji, is shown performing a traditional ‘lezim’ dance. Many people, including the former Rajya Sabha MP Sambhajiraje Chatrapati, descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, have objected to it.
After meeting Raj Thackeray, Utekar said, “The meeting was to seek his advice. His knowledge of history, especially regarding Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is extensive. He provided valuable suggestions for changes, which we will implement. As for the scene featuring Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj playing ‘Lezim’, we will delete it.”
The dance scene sparked outrage with social media backlash and criticism from politicians alleging disrespect to the historical figure. The filmmaker said it was not their intention to hurt anyone’s feelings.
“We are removing the scene because it is not a significant part of the film. If people feel that the portrayal is inaccurate, we are willing to make this change. Our goal has always been to honour and showcase the greatness of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj to the world,” Utekar said.
Earlier on Saturday, Maharashtra minister Uday Samant had also said that the film should not be released without first showing it to “experts and knowledgeable people”. He had said that the film’s release will not be allowed if objectionable scenes are not deleted.
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had also urged the makers of the film to “balance sensitivity and creativity” and avoid distorting history.
Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati had also insisted that the film must be shown to historians before its release. While recognising the cultural significance of lezim dance, the former MP opined that showing the Maratha king dancing was inappropriate.
Chhaava is a film based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The film’s screenplay is adapted from the Marathi novel ‘Chhava’ by Shivaji Sawant. Apart from Vicky Kaushal, the film also stars Rashmika Mandanna and Akshaye Khanna.
