Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava will not feature Sambhaji Maharaj's Lezim dance, confirms director Laxman Utekar

Finally, there's a new update on Chhaava, and it's not great news for many! Laxman Utekar stated that the film will not feature Sambhaji Maharaj, played by Vicky Kaushal, and his wife, Maharani Yesubai, played by Rashmika Mandanna, doing a Lezim dance. The filmmaker made the decision during a meeting with Raj Thackeray, chief of the MNS. Nothing matters more than the heritage of the Maratha monarch, according to the official statement he gave to the media, and it was all about a dance sequence.

Laxman Utekar's relationship with Raj Thackeray and influence on film decisions

Kaushal plays the legendary Maratha warrior in Chhaava, and the trailer debuted in Mumbai last week. As reported by India Today, Utekar revealed his acquaintanceship with Raj Thackeray. The politician has a deep love for learning and devours books. Therefore, the director has followed his advice and recommendations. Thackeray's advice has been invaluable to Utekar. The director made the decision to remove the parts featuring Sambhaji Maharaj doing the Lezim dance after meeting him.

ALSO READ: Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava dance controversy: What started it, what are the objections and what are the makers doing about it? 

He continued that the dancing scene with Kaushal and Mandanna would not be in the final cut. Lezim dancing is not an important event. Compared to the Lezim dance, Sambhaji Maharaj is considerably larger. He then declared that the film would remove the aforementioned scenes.

Based on the novel of the same name by Shivaji Sawant, Chhaava is a film adaptation. The film focuses on the life and reign of Sambhaji Maharaj, who became the Chhatrapati, and his bravery and rule. Utekar revealed that he envisioned Sambhaji as a young man of 20 years of age. 

Decision to remove Lezim dance based on cultural sensitivity

According to Utekar, "When Sambhaji Maharaj launched an attack in Barhanpur, he was just 20 years old. We have taken the rights to Shivaji Sawant's book titled Chhava, where he wrote about Sambhaji Maharaj taking part in the Holi festival. He would remove a coconut from the holy fire. We thought of Maharaj as a 20-year-old. It was obvious that he had played the Lezim dance. And why not? Lezim is a part of Maratha culture. It is just our traditional dance. But, if anyone is hurt by those dance moves or Lezim dance, we will remove them. Lezim dance is not bigger than Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj."

In addition, the filmmaker considered the feedback from multiple ministers from Maharashtra and insisted that historians view the film before its premiere. Utekar announced that they have planned a unique premiere performance for January 29. There will be some historians and history buffs in attendance and their advice will be followed.

Chhaava release date

Utekar confirmed that Chhaava will release on schedule on February 14, 2025.

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