Chhaava Director Laxman Utekar Edits Out Vicky Kaushal's Dance Scene Following Raj Thackeray’s Concerns

The controversy surrounding the Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna starrer Chhaava has taken a new turn. Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant had previously criticized the film for depicting a dance sequence featuring Sambhaji Maharaj, portrayed by Vicky Kaushal. The dance, a Lezim dance performed with his wife Maharani Yesubai (Rashmika Mandanna), was seen as inappropriate by some. Following these objections, director Laxman Utekar took swift action to resolve the issue.

On January 27, Laxman Utekar met with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and confirmed that the dance sequence will be removed from the film. The director shared his thoughts with the media after the meeting. He acknowledged that the scene in question was merely a dance sequence, but emphasized that nothing could be more important than respecting the legacy of Sambhaji Maharaj.

In his official statement, Utekar explained that after discussing the issue with Raj Thackeray, who is known for his vast knowledge and respect for history, he decided to delete the controversial scene. "Sambhaji Maharaj is very much bigger than that Lezim dance," said Utekar. He expressed his gratitude for the guidance and advice he received from Thackeray, acknowledging that his words helped him make the final decision to remove the sequence.

Utekar also mentioned in a conversation with IANS that Raj Thackeray had appreciated the trailer of Chhaava and expressed excitement about the film. He was thankful for the "valid point" raised by the MNS leader and agreed with his suggestion to delete the dance sequence.

Chhaava, a period drama, features a stellar cast including Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, Ashutosh Rana, Diana Penty, and Divya Dutta. The film, produced by Maddock Films and Dinesh Vijan, is slated for release on February 14, 2025.