section_path: Abstract
section_name: Abstract
paragraph_text: Chhaava (transl. Lion cub) is a 2025 Indian Hindi -language epic historical action film based on the life of Sambhaji Maharaj, the second ruler of the Maratha Empire, who is played by Vicky Kaushal. An adaptation of the Marathi novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant, it is directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films. The cast also includes Akshaye Khanna and Rashmika Mandanna.
  
  Pre-production began in April 2023; filming commenced in October 2023 and ended in May 2024. The film score and soundtrack album were composed by A. R. Rahman while the lyrics were written by Irshad Kamil and Kshitij Patwardhan.
  
  Chaava was released in theatres on 14 February 2025 in standard and IMAX formats. The film received mixed reviews from critics, and drew controversy for its historical inaccuracies. Commercially, it has earned ₹ 783 crore (US$93 million) – ₹ 807.40 crore (US$96 million) to rank the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025, and the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025. It also ranks as the eighth highest-grossing Hindi film of all time and the thirteenth highest-grossing Indian film of all time.
  
  Chhaava (transl. Lion cub) is a 2025 Indian Hindi -language epic historical action film based on the life of Sambhaji Maharaj, the second ruler of the Maratha Empire, who is played by Vicky Kaushal. An adaptation of the Marathi novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant, it is directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films. The cast also includes Akshaye Khanna and Rashmika Mandanna.
  
  Pre-production began in April 2023; filming commenced in October 2023 and ended in May 2024. The film score and soundtrack album were composed by A. R. Rahman while the lyrics were written by Irshad Kamil and Kshitij Patwardhan.
  
  Chaava was released in theatres on 14 February 2025 in standard and IMAX formats. The film received mixed reviews from critics, and drew controversy for its historical inaccuracies. Commercially, it has earned ₹ 783 crore (US$93 million) – ₹ 807.40 crore (US$96 million) to rank the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025, and the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025. It also ranks as the eighth highest-grossing Hindi film of all time and the thirteenth highest-grossing Indian film of all time.