Cinema has the power to influence, but in Burhanpur (Madhya Pradesh), it led to an unexpected gold rush. After watching Vicky Kaushal starrer Chhaava, a group of villagers spent an entire night digging near Asirgarh Fort.
They believed Mughal-era treasure was buried beneath the historic site. Instead of gold, they ended up with a police warning.
Burhanpur Villagers Dig For Mughal Gold After Watching Chhaava
Rumours spread that Mughal forces had hidden looted treasure beneath Asirgarh Fort. The storyline in Chhaava seemed to fuel this belief. The Laxman Utekar directorial tells the story of Sambhaji Maharaj, the second ruler of the Maratha Empire. It suggests that Mughal forces plundered Maratha wealth and stashed it away in secret locations, including Asirgarh Fort.
Convinced by this, villagers began their late-night dig around 7 PM, using flashlights, shovels, and even metal detectors. They worked until 3 AM, hoping to strike gold. A viral video of the excavation spread quickly, drawing the attention of the police. However, no treasure was found. Instead, authorities issued a strict warning, reminding the public that such digging is illegal and could damage historical sites.
#Chhava movie showed that Mughals looted Gold and treasure from Marathas and kept it in the Asirgarh Fort, Burhanpur, MP.
After watching the movie, locals flocked to the spot with digging tools, metal detectors and bags to dig up the treasure and take it home.
My heart bleeds… pic.twitter.com/zUiGyMoQKh
— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) March 7, 2025
A police official shared, “Asirgarh Fort is a protected monument. Excavation without permission is a criminal offence. We urge people to stop believing in baseless rumours and respect heritage sites.”
While Chhaava is inspired by history, it remains a cinematic retelling, not a historical record. Experts have warned against mistaking creative storytelling for factual accounts, especially when it leads to unlawful actions.
Asirgarh Fort has long been surrounded by legends of hidden treasure. Emperor Akbar captured the fort in the 16th century and many believe Mughal riches were stored there. However, no historical evidence supports this claim.
Chhaava Was Recently Accused Of Historical Misrepresentation
The film is already facing backlash. Deepak Raje Shirke (a descendant of the Shirke family) has accused the filmmakers of distorting history. In Chhaava, Maratha commanders Ganoji and Kanhoji Shirke are shown as traitors in the capture of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The Shirke clan strongly objected to this portrayal and threatened legal action.
Director Laxman Utekar later apologised to Bhushan Shirke and clarified that the film does not explicitly name their ancestors. However, tensions remain, with the family demanding further clarification.
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