Laxman Utekar’s historical drama Chhaava has once again sparked controversy. The descendants of Maratha warriors Ganoji and Kanhoji Shirke have accused the film of misrepresenting their ancestors. They claim that Chhaava portrays them as traitors who sided with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb against Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
The Shirke family argues that this depiction is misleading and damages their legacy. On February 20, they sent a legal notice to the filmmakers, demanding changes to the storyline. They have also threatened to file a Rs 100 crore defamation suit if their concerns are not addressed.
Chhaava Director Laxman Utekar Issues An Apology
Amid backlash, Utekar responded to the allegations. As reported by Pudhari, he personally reached out to Bhushan Shirke, a member of the Shirke family, to clarify the film’s portrayal.
“We have only mentioned the names of Ganoji and Kanhoji in Chhaava, without using their surname. We’ve also ensured that the film does not disclose their village. Our intention was not to hurt the sentiments of the Shirke family. I sincerely apologise if Chhaava caused any discomfort,” Utekar reportedly stated.
The filmmaker stressed that the team took precautions to avoid making direct historical claims about the Shirke lineage. However, the family remains firm in their demand for corrections.
Shirke Family Demands Changes To ‘Misguiding’ Scenes
Despite Utekar’s clarification, the Shirke family is not backing down. They have warned of state-wide protests if the filmmakers do not address their concerns. Their legal notice demands modifications to any scenes that misrepresent Ganoji and Kanhoji Shirke.
Meanwhile, Chhaava continues to gain attention for its grand depiction of Maratha history. The film stars Rashmika Mandanna as Yesubai Bhosale, Vineet Kumar Singh as Kavi Kalash, and Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb.
(Also read: Vicky Kaushal’s Bulk Up Chhaava Look To Lean Look For Love And War: Here’s What Went Into This Extreme Transformation)
Stay tuned with us for latest news, Hindi box office news, Hollywood news, OTT news, latest bollywood news and latest box office news.
