The drama around ‘Chhaava’ is clearly not ending anytime soon. First, AR Rahman called it “divisive”. Now, more than a month later, the film’s writer, Rishi Virmani, has stepped in with a reply. And yes, the internet is buzzing again.
What writer Rishi Virmani said now
In a fresh chat with Zoom, Virmani brushed off the idea that one film can change how people think socially or politically. He said it’s unrealistic to believe that a few hours in a cinema hall can reshape an entire mindset.
According to him, audiences today are smart and independent. They don’t just absorb what they see blindly. Instead, they connect to stories on their own terms. He even pointed out that he hasn’t seen such strong emotional attachment from viewers toward a film in a long time. For him, that response proves the audience decides for itself.
Virmani also added that history shows audiences often surprise the film industry. Predictions fail, trends break, and viewers give their own verdict, sometimes totally opposite to what experts expect.
The earlier spark: AR Rahman’s remark
The controversy began when Rahman spoke during a conversation with BBC Asian Network. He openly called the film “divisive”, while also saying its core intention was to show bravery.
He revealed that he had even asked director Laxman Utekar why he was needed for the project. The reply, he shared, was that only Rahman could bring the required musical soul to the film.
Also Read: AR Rahman row: Son AR Ameen shares videos of PM Modi praising him, president Murmu honouring him
Rahman also made an interesting observation: people are smarter than we think. He suggested that viewers have their own inner conscience and can tell the difference between truth and manipulation. In short, he hinted that movies alone cannot control public thinking.
About ‘Chhaava’
For those who missed the background, the film is adapted from a Marathi novel of the same name written by Shivaji Sawant. The screenplay was crafted by Utekar and Virmani along with Kaustubh Savarkar, Unman Bankar, and Omkar Mahajan.
The story revolves around the life of the Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. On screen, Vicky Kaushal plays the king, while Rashmika Mandanna appears as Yesubai Bhonsale. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb is portrayed by Akshaye Khanna.
Despite debates, the film received huge public support and strong box office attention. But at the same time, it also faced criticism from some sections who felt the narrative leaned into sensitive historical emotions.