I normally don't post anymore on FB/LI or any SM, but just watched Chhava, and I've got to say, the movie left me quite bemused, at multiple levels. Cinematic efforts on historical efforts and figures generally have a few standard flaws - eulogising their lead characters, amping up the violence, going for simplistic good vs evil narratives. Braveheart (1995) and The Passion of The Christ (2004) are a couple which come to mind immediately. Even allowing for that though, the recent spate of movies, and especially this one, which depict the main character as a virtuous noble with no flaws - model husband, devoted father, fair minded administrator - is just at odds with reality. These were all great warriors (you had to be, to win and triumph over others), and that was probably accompanied by all that comes with it. The Maratha Confederacy's own power struggles for the throne with multiple aspirants across generations is testament to this. Sambhaji himself was imprisoned by his father and had "defected" to the Mughals for a year . (There are multiple theories on as well as versions of this, including that this could have been a ploy on the part of Chattrapati Shivaji. That said, the Battle of Bhupalgarh where Sambhaji fought against him appears to be documented). In probably one of the very few scenes that leaves an impact, just prior to his death, Aurangzeb tells Sambhaji "_Mughalon ki taraf aa jao, zingadi bhar jayegi, sirf dharm badalna padega". Sambhaji smirks and responds " Marathon ki taraf aa jao, zindagi bhar jayegi, aur dharm bhi badalna nahin padega" Loud claps and cheers in the audience, and given what is known about Aurangzeb ,not inaccurate. But one just has to look at the sheer range of Mughal alliances with "local" rulers pre-Aurangzeb, and incidents such as Bhima Koregaon with the Marathas to realize that neither sentiment was set in stone or actualized consistently. And then, there's the violence and torture, which is at a different level especially in the climactic torture scene. Stomach churning - slit throats, cut tongues, eye gouging - the works. Given the talents associated with this project - Vicky Kaushal's stardom and work need no introduction, but even others such as Ashutosh Rana, and the director, who's made great films such as Mimi and Luka Chuppi - making a film which is more nuanced (in terms of narrative) and more subtle (in terms of violence) is within their grasp. So, why this? Commerce/market dynamics, is probably the main answer, along with the fact that the mind craves simplicity and black and white narratives. That's probably where the appeal of religion lies as well. And so, it continues, one of the greatest false narratives and mind-tricks in history. A region and people who should celebrate their history and be proud of its accomplishments which have defined not just their land but probably the world, get mired in anger, sadness, divisiveness, embracing passive,"we wuz robbed" narratives.