A special screening of the historical film Chhaava, featuring Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, is expected to be held at the Balayogi Auditorium in Parliament this week. According to Times Now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Union ministers and Members of Parliament, will attend the screening.

The film’s cast and crew, including Vicky Kaushal, director Laxman Utekar, and producer Dinesh Vijan, are also likely to be present at the event on Thursday.

PM Modi’s Praise for ‘Chhaava’

Last month, PM Modi praised the film while addressing the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in Delhi. Highlighting the contribution of Maharashtra to cinema, he said,

“Ye Maharashtra aur Mumbai hi hai jisne Marathi filmo ke saath saath, Hindi cinema ko ye unchai di hai. Aur in dino toh, Chhaava ki dhoom machi hui hai.”

This is not the first time Parliament has hosted a film screening. In December, PM Modi attended a screening of The Sabarmati Report, a film based on the 2002 Godhra train burning incident.

‘Chhaava’ Sparks Controversy Amid Nagpur Violence

While Chhaava has received widespread appreciation, it has also been linked to recent communal tensions in Maharashtra. The film, which portrays the courage and struggles of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has reignited historical debates and sentiments.

Following violent clashes in Nagpur’s Mahal area, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the filmmakers, stating that the riots were a “premeditated” attempt to incite unrest. He further said,

“Chhaava, based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, reignited people’s emotions against the Mughal emperor and brought before them the true history of the Maratha king.”

At least 34 people were injured in the Nagpur violence, which erupted after rumours spread about the desecration of a religious text during a right-wing protest demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Historic Film, Political Implications

The upcoming screening of Chhaava in Parliament adds to the political discourse surrounding the film. While it celebrates Maratha history, the movie has also become a focal point for contemporary debates on history, identity, and politics in Maharashtra.