Chhaava Director Laxman Utekar issued a public apology over after descendants of Maratha warriors Ganoji and Kanhoji Shirke claimed that the portrayal of their ancestors was unfair and misleading.
Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, which celebrates the legacy of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has struck a chord with audiences nationwide by doing an extremely good business at the box office.
However, the film sparked a new controversy after the Maratha descendants threatened a defamation lawsuit.
In Chhaava, a crucial moment in the story portrays Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s trusted allies, Ganoji and Kanhoji, betraying him by joining forces with the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
This leads to the Maratha ruler’s death. However, this depiction hasn’t gone down well with the warriors’ descendants, who believe it unfairly tarnishes their legacy.
After the film’s release, Laxmikant Raje Shirke, the 13th descendant of Ganoji and Kanhoji Shirke, criticised the filmmakers for what he called a blatant “misinterpretation of historical facts."
He expressed his disappointment, stating that the portrayal unfairly damages his family’s legacy.
He announced that they had issued a legal notice to the director and would be filing a defamation lawsuit against him.
On February 20, the Shirke family formally sent a notice to Laxman Utekar, requesting a clarification.
And now, according to reports, Laxman Utekar personally reached out to Bhushan Shirke, one of the descendants, to apologise for any unintentional hurt caused to the family.
He clarified that the film did not explicitly mention the last names or the village names of Ganoji and Kanhoji.
“We have only mentioned the names of Ganoji and Kanhoji in Chhaava, without referring to their surname. We’ve also made sure to not disclose the village they belonged to. Our intention was not to hurt the sentiments of the Shirke family. I sincerely apologise if Chhaava caused any discomfort," the director reportedly told Shirke.
Meanwhile, the Shirke family has made it clear that if their concerns are not addressed and their demands remain unmet, they will escalate the matter with statewide protests.