The debate around Vicky Kaushal-starrer historical drama ‘Chhaava’ has resurfaced after the film’s writer Rishi Virmani reacted to composer A.R. Rahman’s earlier remarks calling the film “divisive,” according to reports. Virmani addressed the issue in an interview, pushing back on the idea that a film can significantly reshape viewers’ beliefs within a short runtime.
About the film
Directed by Laxman Utekar, Chhaava is adapted from Shivaji Sawant’s Marathi novel Chhava and centres on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, with Vicky Kaushal in the lead. Rahman has composed the music/score for the film.
What A.R. Rahman said
In an interview cited by multiple outlets, Rahman described Chhaava as “divisive” and suggested that some choices in the film’s presentation felt clichéd—also indicating that audiences are capable of discernment rather than being easily manipulated.
Virmani’s rebuttal
Responding to the controversy, Virmani said it was “hard to believe” that “an entire mindset can be changed in just a couple of hours of screen time,” arguing that cinema cannot single-handedly alter deeply rooted beliefs. He also pointed to the film’s strong public response as evidence that viewers engage with the material thoughtfully.
Why it matters
The exchange has reignited familiar questions around historical portrayals in cinema—where creative interpretation ends, where social responsibility begins, and how much influence films truly exert on public attitudes. For now, neither Rahman nor the makers have issued additional statements beyond what has already been reported.
—By Manoj H