Vicky Kaushal opens up about his intense physical transformation for Chhaava, calling it the toughest role of his career. The actor gained 25 kg of muscle, trained in horse riding and sword fighting, and grew his hair and beard to embody the role of Chhatrapati…Read More
Vicky Kaushal calls Chhaava his toughest role yet, revealing that director Laxman Utekar refused to use VFX and delayed filming until he mastered the warrior’s look and skills.
Vicky Kaushal is deep into the promotions of his upcoming historical drama, Chhaava, where he takes on the role of the fearless Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the eldest son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film follows Sambhaji’s journey as he takes over the throne after his father’s passing. In a recent interview, Vicky shared that director Laxman Utekar was so committed to authenticity that he refused to start filming until Vicky embodied the look and strength of a real warrior.
Speaking on Radio Nasha, Vicky revealed, “Chhaava has been the most physically demanding role of my career. Gaining 25 kg of muscle wasn’t easy—it took me seven months of intense training. Laxman sir was clear that until I got the look right, mastered horse riding, sword fighting, and action sequences, the film wouldn’t begin. He told me, ‘I refuse to cheat. No VFX, no shortcuts.’”
Vicky further shared that he had to grow his hair, beard, and build a warrior’s physique before even stepping onto the set. The film boasts grand-scale battle sequences, with Utekar ensuring complete realism. “If you see 2000 people in a scene, there were actually 2000 people on set. We had 2000 junior artists and 500 of the best stuntmen in the country. The film has been shot in a raw and gritty manner,” he added.
The film also stars Akshaye Khanna as the formidable Aurangzeb. Reflecting on Akshaye’s transformation, Vicky said, “I was shown pictures of his look, and I was stunned. But seeing him in full costume, in character, was an entirely different experience. His aura, his body language—it was chilling. He has brought the character to life in a way that will truly shock audiences.”
Rashmika Mandanna plays Maharani Yesubai, the wife of Sambhaji Maharaj, in Chhaava, which is set to hit theatres on February 14. With its larger-than-life battle sequences and powerful performances, the film promises to be an epic cinematic spectacle.
