section_path: Production/Development
section_name: Development
paragraph_text: Development
  
  Everyone knows about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but no one knows about Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. He had such great courage and was a great warrior, but sadly no one knows about it. During the pandemic when I read about Sambhaji Maharaj, I realised he is such a big character, and why are we not talking about his life? That's when I started writing and the idea of Chhaava came to me.
  
  In December 2022, it was reported that Laxman Utekar was working on a historical biopic in an untitled film in which Vicky Kaushal 's casting was under progress. They discussed the project and Vicky has liked the material and would sign the project only after the full narration. As it was still in the writing proces, the shooting would commence after Kaushal finalise it. It was based on the Marathi novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant. In January 2023, the project was confirmed which would mark Kaushal teams up with Utekar and producer Dinesh Vijan once again after their then- unreleased romantic comedy film co-starring Sara Ali Khan. The film was titled Chhava and Kaushal would play Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the eldest son of the Maratha empire’s founder Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Rashmika Mandanna was cast to play role of Sambhaji Maharaj’s wife, as Yesubai Bhonsale. Maddock Films known for modest budget films, Chhava will be their most expensive project. Laxman Utekar said that even before he began writing the script in 2021 he wanted to cast Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna for the respective roles. After completing script in January 2023, pre-production for the film began in April, and principal photography starting in October.
  
  Everyone knows about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but no one knows about Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. He had such great courage and was a great warrior, but sadly no one knows about it. During the pandemic when I read about Sambhaji Maharaj, I realised he is such a big character, and why are we not talking about his life? That's when I started writing and the idea of Chhaava came to me.
  
  In December 2022, it was reported that Laxman Utekar was working on a historical biopic in an untitled film in which Vicky Kaushal 's casting was under progress. They discussed the project and Vicky has liked the material and would sign the project only after the full narration. As it was still in the writing proces, the shooting would commence after Kaushal finalise it. It was based on the Marathi novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant. In January 2023, the project was confirmed which would mark Kaushal teams up with Utekar and producer Dinesh Vijan once again after their then- unreleased romantic comedy film co-starring Sara Ali Khan. The film was titled Chhava and Kaushal would play Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the eldest son of the Maratha empire’s founder Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Rashmika Mandanna was cast to play role of Sambhaji Maharaj’s wife, as Yesubai Bhonsale. Maddock Films known for modest budget films, Chhava will be their most expensive project. Laxman Utekar said that even before he began writing the script in 2021 he wanted to cast Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna for the respective roles. After completing script in January 2023, pre-production for the film began in April, and principal photography starting in October.