Mumbai: The upcoming Vicky Kaushal starrer ‘Chhaava’ is a period drama based on the life of Maratha king, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
The story revolves around Sambhaji’s battle with the Mughals during the reign of Aurangzeb, played by Akshaye Khanna.
However, it has been learnt that the hero, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and villain, Aurangzeb didn’t speak to each other during the shooting of the film.
The two actors neither looked at each other’s faces when they were behind the cameras, nor did they exchange any pleasantries unlike the other cast and crew.
Sharing his experience of working with Akshaye Khanna, Vicky said, “When we were shooting that scene, we exchanged no good mornings or goodbyes or hellos. He was Aurangzeb and I was Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and we went straight into shooting the scene. There was no communication as Vicky Kaushal to Akshaye Khanna.”
He continued, “Considering the way the scenes were, you can’t do them by sitting on chairs next to each other, sipping tea and then going for the shoot when ready. So, it didn’t happen organically either. I hope I get to chat with him after the movie’s release, but during the shoot, we never interacted with each other.”
“It took Aurangzeb nine years to find and get hold of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. So, a lot of the film shows his quest to find him. There are some moments together, but the film is about them thriving to (meet each other), and that will leave you waiting for that face-off to happen. The muted sliminess and cunningness that he has brought into the character of Aurangzeb has blended beautifully with the roar of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj,” he added.
Speaking about the same, filmmaker Utekar said, “The day their scene together was to be shot was the day when they met each other for the first time and that too as characters. Both of them were so immersed in their characters, they didn’t even want to see each other’s faces.”
Besides Vicky and Akshaye, the film also stars Rashmika Mandanna in a pivotal role.
Rashmika will be seen playing Maratha queen Yesubai, wife of Sambhaji Maharaj,
The film is slated to release in theatres on February 14.
