Laxman Utekar: Vicky has the build and personality for role

Updated On: 06 June, 2023 07:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Hiren Kotwani

Bringing the lesser-told story of Sambhaji to the screen with Chhava, director Laxman Utekar on why he chose Kaushal to play the historical figure

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Vicky Kaushal

Indian cinema has often celebrated the heroism of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but the feats of his son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj have remained restricted to history books. “When I started reading about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, I realised that he was a great warrior, but no one has made a film on him,” says director Laxman Utekar. Even as his latest release Zara Hatke Zara Bachke runs in cinemas, the director and actor Vicky Kaushal have moved on to their next, Chhava, which chronicles Sambhaji’s life and times. “Most books on Sambhaji are in Marathi, and not available in any other language. That could be a reason why a film or series on him has been rarely attempted. Not many filmmakers could read extensively about him,” explains Utekar.

Laxman Utekar