Vicky Kaushal’s upcoming movie Chhaava, directed by Laxman Utekar, is creating a buzz not only for its powerful story but also for the efforts made to bring historical accuracy to life. The film is a biopic of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, a 17th-century Maratha warrior, and the filmmakers left no stone unturned to make the costumes and looks of the characters authentic.
A Year of Research for Authentic Costumes
To perfectly recreate the 17th-century Maratha era, Laxman Utekar and costume designer Sheetal Sharma spent nearly a year researching. They wanted the film to look as real as possible, so they went beyond just making costumes; they ensured every detail matched the period.
Visiting Historic Locations
Sheetal Sharma and Laxman Utekar didn’t rely only on books or pictures. They visited historic places like Aurangabad, Pune, Ratnagiri, Nashik, Paithan, and other cities in Maharashtra. They explored forts, and museums, and met with historians to gather authentic details.
Unlike some historical films that use soft pastel shades for costumes, the research team found that Indians from that period loved colorful clothes. This insight guided the selection of rich, vibrant colors for the movie’s costumes.
Vicky Kaushal’s Look Inspired by Statues
Vicky Kaushal plays the role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and a lot of attention is given to his look. The team studied statues of Sambhaji from places like Pune, Nashik, and Sambhajinagar to get the right appearance. One such statue even inspired the throne where Vicky is seen sitting in the teaser. All accessories for his character were sourced from Kolhapur, Sawantwadi, and Ratnagiri to maintain authenticity. Additionally, Sambhaji’s sword was crafted based on a real historical sword from a museum in London.
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Rashmika’s Look as Yesubai: A Blend of History and Art
Rashmika Mandanna, who plays Sambhaji’s wife Yesubai, also had a detailed costume design process. Her costumes are sarees from Paithan and Narayan Peth, but finding exact replicas of such old sarees was tough. So, the design team visited museums and studied 500-year-old sarees, taking pictures and notes. They even used borders from those ancient sarees to create new outfits for Rashmika.
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The jewelry worn by Rashmika was also carefully selected to match the historical period. She wears a traditional Lakshmi Haar and Nath (nose ring) that was inspired by ancient artefacts found in museums.
A Commitment to Authenticity
The effort that went into creating the costumes for Chhaava shows the filmmakers’ dedication to bringing history to the screen. This kind of detail helps audiences connect more deeply with the story and characters, making the film not just a visual treat but a tribute to Maratha’s history.
