section_path: Reception/Critical response
section_name: Critical response
paragraph_text: Critical response
  
  On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 33% of 12 critics' reviews are positive.
  
  Prasanna Zore of Rediff rated the film 4 out of 5, writing " Chhaava deserves 2 stars for the historically half-baked film that it is, but 4 stars just for its attempt on making a film on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj". Zee News gave 4 stars out of 5 stars and wrote "Chhaava is much more than just an action-packed period drama; it's a film that resonates with its historical significance while maintaining its emotional core." Pooja Biraia Jaiswal of The Week rated 3.5 stars out of 5 stars and wrote "The film showcases regality and grandeur, adrenaline-pumping action sequences and punchy dialogues, but interestingly, it does all of that and more, while ensuring it doesn't lose track of the plot and the narrative that runs beautifully across all its frames."
  
  Nishad Thaivalappil of News18 rated the film 3.5 out of 5 and the reviewer highlights Vicky Kaushal's outstanding portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and praises the film for effectively capturing his legacy. Kusumika Das of Times Now awarded 3.5 stars out of 5 stars and wrote "While Utekar’s storytelling could have been tighter, his attempt is commendable. Most notably, Chhaava unveils a fierce, unrelenting Vicky Kaushal in a historical saga." Renuka Vyavahare of The Times of India have 3.5 stars out of 5 stars and wrote "Chhaava’s excellence lies in its gripping second half and a terrific climax." Devesh Sharma of Filmfare rated 3.5 stars out of 5 stars and noted that Chhaava succeeds in delivering a high-intensity action film, anchored by Vicky Kaushal's powerhouse performance. However, he pointed out that the film doesn't fully delve into the complexities of Sambhaji's character, leaving much of his multifaceted legacy unexplored.
  
  Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express, gave 2.5 out of 5 rating and wrote "Vicky Kaushal is fully committed in Laxman Utekar’s ultra-loud, ultra-violent, and exhausting film". Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave 2.5 stars out of 5 and said that "The film, has far greater depth than the top-heavy treatment that it deploys India order to pay tribute to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj". Pratikshya Mishra of The Quint gave it 2.5 stars and commented that "Unlike its protagonist, who often runs into battle like a man possessed even when the odds seem stacked against him, the film simply wasn’t brave enough to take that leap." Tushar Joshi of India Today wrote, "Chhaava doesn't aim to be exceptionally different, but it masters the art of navigating the mainstream waters without completely drowning in the cacophony of its own voice."
  
  Rahul Desai of The Hollywood Reporter India observed that "Chhaava is neither romanticised nor pulpy. It’s just scared. So scared that only gods and demons can afford to exist. So scared that it’s blinded by its own reflection." Anuj Kumar of The Hindu said that "Struggling to choose between history and the current nationalist sentiment, Laxman Utekar’s unsurprising narrative finds its voice in the final. Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in said in her review that "Laxman Utekar takes us through every bit of this ordeal – it’s what Chhaava has been building up to. The Christ-like imagery is apposite, given the all-round love for medieval punishment. But the film’s lack of feeling is vivid too, with shouty speechifying mistaken for heartfelt passion and sumptuous visuals confused for grandeur."
  
  On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 33% of 12 critics' reviews are positive.
  
  Prasanna Zore of Rediff rated the film 4 out of 5, writing " Chhaava deserves 2 stars for the historically half-baked film that it is, but 4 stars just for its attempt on making a film on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj". Zee News gave 4 stars out of 5 stars and wrote "Chhaava is much more than just an action-packed period drama; it's a film that resonates with its historical significance while maintaining its emotional core." Pooja Biraia Jaiswal of The Week rated 3.5 stars out of 5 stars and wrote "The film showcases regality and grandeur, adrenaline-pumping action sequences and punchy dialogues, but interestingly, it does all of that and more, while ensuring it doesn't lose track of the plot and the narrative that runs beautifully across all its frames."
  
  Nishad Thaivalappil of News18 rated the film 3.5 out of 5 and the reviewer highlights Vicky Kaushal's outstanding portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and praises the film for effectively capturing his legacy. Kusumika Das of Times Now awarded 3.5 stars out of 5 stars and wrote "While Utekar’s storytelling could have been tighter, his attempt is commendable. Most notably, Chhaava unveils a fierce, unrelenting Vicky Kaushal in a historical saga." Renuka Vyavahare of The Times of India have 3.5 stars out of 5 stars and wrote "Chhaava’s excellence lies in its gripping second half and a terrific climax." Devesh Sharma of Filmfare rated 3.5 stars out of 5 stars and noted that Chhaava succeeds in delivering a high-intensity action film, anchored by Vicky Kaushal's powerhouse performance. However, he pointed out that the film doesn't fully delve into the complexities of Sambhaji's character, leaving much of his multifaceted legacy unexplored.
  
  Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express, gave 2.5 out of 5 rating and wrote "Vicky Kaushal is fully committed in Laxman Utekar’s ultra-loud, ultra-violent, and exhausting film". Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave 2.5 stars out of 5 and said that "The film, has far greater depth than the top-heavy treatment that it deploys India order to pay tribute to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj". Pratikshya Mishra of The Quint gave it 2.5 stars and commented that "Unlike its protagonist, who often runs into battle like a man possessed even when the odds seem stacked against him, the film simply wasn’t brave enough to take that leap." Tushar Joshi of India Today wrote, "Chhaava doesn't aim to be exceptionally different, but it masters the art of navigating the mainstream waters without completely drowning in the cacophony of its own voice."
  
  Rahul Desai of The Hollywood Reporter India observed that "Chhaava is neither romanticised nor pulpy. It’s just scared. So scared that only gods and demons can afford to exist. So scared that it’s blinded by its own reflection." Anuj Kumar of The Hindu said that "Struggling to choose between history and the current nationalist sentiment, Laxman Utekar’s unsurprising narrative finds its voice in the final. Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in said in her review that "Laxman Utekar takes us through every bit of this ordeal – it’s what Chhaava has been building up to. The Christ-like imagery is apposite, given the all-round love for medieval punishment. But the film’s lack of feeling is vivid too, with shouty speechifying mistaken for heartfelt passion and sumptuous visuals confused for grandeur."