Sambhaji Maharaj: The Real Story
Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna’s historical drama Chhaava will release in theaters on February 14. The film is based on the Marathi novel Chhaava by Shivaji Sawant.
In the movie, Vicky Kaushal plays the role of Sambhaji, while Akshaye Khanna plays Aurangzeb. Other important roles are played by Ashutosh Rana, Divya Dutta, and Diana Penty.
Director Laxman Utekar got the idea for the film during the COVID-19 pandemic when he read about Sambhaji Maharaj. He was inspired to share his story because, while many people know about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, very few know about his son, Sambhaji Maharaj. Utekar said Sambhaji was a brave warrior, but his story is not well known. This motivated him to write Chhaava and bring Sambhaji’s life to the big screen.
Sambhaji Maharaj: The Brave Maratha King
Sambhaji Maharaj was the eldest son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. After his father’s death, he became the second ruler of the kingdom and ruled for nine years, from 1681 to 1689. He is remembered for his bravery and deep love for his land and people.
During his reign, Sambhaji had to fight against the Mughal Empire, the Siddi of Janjira, the Wadiyars of Mysore, and the Portuguese. One of his major military campaigns was the attack on Burhanpur, a key Mughal city in present-day Madhya Pradesh. He did this to stop the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb from expanding his rule in the Deccan.
From 1682 to 1688, many battles took place between the Marathas and the Mughals. The Mughals wanted to take over Maratha forts but could not succeed. However, by 1685, the Mughals had started pushing Sambhaji back and capturing his territories.
In 1683, Sambhaji discovered a plot to assassinate him. To protect himself and his rule, he ordered the execution of 24 people from influential families.
In 1689, Aurangzeb captured Sambhaji using deception. He was tortured for days but refused to give in. Despite suffering horribly, he remained firm in his beliefs and refused to accept Aurangzeb’s terms. On March 11, 1689, he was executed.
People of Maharashtra remember Sambhaji Maharaj as a hero who chose death over betrayal. His unwavering courage in protecting his faith, land, and people earned him great respect and a place of honor in history.