Chhaava Box Office Collection Day 11: Film Faces Backlash
The film's success has been marked by a significant milestone, with Chhaava becoming the first blockbuster of 2025, achieving historic second Saturday earnings and setting a new benchmark in Indian cinema history. The film's total earnings have surpassed Rs 345 crore, solidifying its status as a blockbuster, and it is expected to continue performing well in the coming days.
Vicky Kaushal's historical drama Chhaava has achieved significant box office success, collecting an estimated Rs 18.50 crore on Day 11, taking its total earnings to Rs 345.25 crore, but the film's depiction of Hindu torture has sparked controversy and backlash from some quarters, with actress Swara Bhaskar facing criticism for her comments on the public's outrage.
The film's portrayal of the torture inflicted upon Sambhaji Maharaj by the Mughal forces has left audiences shaken, and its box office performance has been strong, despite a huge drop on its second Monday. Chhaava has officially surpassed Uri: The Surgical Strike to become Kaushal's highest-grossing film in his career, and is on track to become 2025's first blockbuster. The film's success has been praised by trade analyst Taran Adarsh, who called it a "box office tsunami."
However, the film's depiction of historical atrocities has sparked controversy, with some criticizing the film's portrayal of Hindu torture. Actress Swara Bhaskar faced backlash for her comments on the public's outrage, stating that a society that is more enraged at the fictionalized portrayal of Hindus being tortured 500 years ago than at real-life tragedies like the New Delhi stampede is "brain- & soul-dead." Her comments sparked a mixed reaction, with some agreeing with her opinion while others lashed out at her for insensitivity.
In contrast to the outrage over the film's depiction of historical atrocities, a recent stampede at the Mahakumbh Mela resulted in the tragic loss of at least 30 lives, while over 60 devotees sustained injuries. A similar tragedy unfolded at New Delhi railway station, where at least 18 individuals, including children, perished in a deadly stampede. The lack of outrage over these real-life tragedies has been highlighted by Swara Bhaskar and others, who argue that the public's priorities are misplaced.
The controversy surrounding Chhaava highlights the complex and often sensitive nature of historical depictions in film, and the need for nuanced and thoughtful discussion around these issues. As the film continues to perform well at the box office, it remains to be seen how the controversy will affect its overall impact and legacy.