Vicky Kaushal takes on the role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in Chhaava, a historical drama that brings the Maratha warrior's story to life.
Based on Shivaji Sawant’s Marathi novel of the same name, the film dives into the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s son, blending history with high-stakes drama.
The title, Chhaava, translates to lion cub. While narrator Ajay Devgn rushes through a high-speed history lesson in the guise of a prelude, characters are explained outright rather than allowed to develop organically.
It’s an absolute shame, considering the world is built spectacularly. Saurabh Goswami’s drop-dead gorgeous cinematography captures some of the most visually memorable frames.
The production design and art direction are on full display and, considering director Laxman Utekar’s own work experience as a solid cinematographer, it’s no surprise.
The decision to talk at viewers rather than through the film's characters is baffling. Wars won off-screen? Someone informs viewers by waxing lyrical about the effect the war has had on the kingdom. Did someone die off-screen? Viewers are informed by the characters as they announce it.
It’s not just the explanatory catch-up sessions that are problematic. The quieter moments are awkward too. There are moments of respite, of course. Divya Dutta’s intense, obsessive role and Akshaye Khanna’s powerful, almost unrecognisable portrayal of the ambitious Mughal ruler Aurangzeb are among the film’s highlights.
Their presence demands undivided attention. Khanna, in particular, while given the usual dialogue that painfully drags the story through hot gravel, ends up making a lasting impact despite – and not because of – the narrative.
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The other performers aren’t far behind. Every person in front of the camera gives it their all, from Kaushal’s impressive physical work as the film’s lead to the supporting cast that includes Ashutosh Rana, Diana Penty and Vineet Kumar Singh. The movie boasts a stacked cast that manages to impress, weathering the bumps in the road.
Unfortunately, nothing else in the movie sticks and by the end of the second act the narrative gets so excruciatingly loud and slow that even the flashy, ultra-violent action can’t save it. The film runs for 161 minutes but feels longer.
As the credits roll on Chhaava, all that lingers is a hollow echo of jingoistic noise. Not even the easy-on-ears soundtrack by Academy Award-winner AR Rahman can drown it out. The film is too loud, too long and edited too carelessly to make any lasting impression.
PAKISTAN SQUAD
Abid Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali (test captain), Babar Azam (T20 captain), Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Imran Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Sohail Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz, Imad Wasim, Kashif Bhatti, Shadab Khan and Yasir Shah.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh810,000
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
more from Janine di Giovanni
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
MATCH INFO
Tottenham 4 (Alli 51', Kane 50', 77'. Aurier 73')
Olympiakos 2 (El-Arabi 06', Semedo')
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
