Chhaava
The film begins with the news of the death of Shivaji reaching the court of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. His advisers anticipate the collapse of the Maratha resistance, while Aurangzeb, though acknowledging the loss of a formidable enemy, orders a celebration. However, leadership has already passed to Sambhaji, Shivaji's son. Burhanpur, a key Mughal administrative and commercial center, faces a sudden Maratha attack. The defenders, led by Khan Zamaan and unprepared, are overwhelmed by the onslaught. In the midst of battle, Sambhaji falls into a secret chamber when he steps on a trapdoor where he faces a lion which repeatedly attacks him. Overpowering the beast by splitting open its jaws with his bare hands, he gets out of the chamber and is shown to win a duel with Khan Zamaan. The Marathas then seize the Mughal treasury, directly challenging imperial authority. As reports arrive in Delhi, Aurangzeb realizes that the Maratha resistance remains intact. He initiates a vast military campaign to crush them. Meanwhile, Sambhaji is warmly welcomed home by his wife, Yesubai, while factional intrigue grows within the Maratha court, with conspirators attempting to install Rajaram, Sambhaji step-brother, as ruler. Aurangzeb's forces advance, and the atrocities committed under his command are briefly noted. Diplomatic negotiations unfold as Mughal prince Mirza Akbar seeks Sambhaji assistance in rebelling against Aurangzeb. While skeptical, Sambhaji uncovers covert communications between his stepmother, Soyarabai, and the prince - a conspiracy to overthrow him is revealed, and the traitors are executed beneath an elephant's crushing weight. Recognizing the superior numbers of the Mughal army, Sambhaji employs guerrilla tactics. The Deccan's challenging terrain proves disastrous for the Mughals, causing heavy losses. Aurangzeb, having vowed to remain uncrowned until Sambhaji is defeated, faces increasing difficulty. His daughter, Zinat-un-Nissa, attempts to capture her estranged brother Mirza Akbar, but the Marathas foil the ambush. Internal dissent weakens Sambhaji ranks as jagirdars (feudal lords) defect to the Mughals, prompting him to convene a royal council. Meanwhile, his disgruntled brothers-in-law betray his location, leading to a Mughal ambush. As many warriors fall, key Maratha leaders Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav are smuggled out to continue the resistance, while an outnumbered Sambhaji fights until his capture. Taken before Aurangzeb, he refuses to submit. His loyal advisor, Kavi Kalash, is executed soon after. Sambhaji is brutally tortured - wounds are inflicted on him and salt is rubbed into it, his finger nails are pulled out, his eyes are pierced with hot iron rods, his tongue is pulled out and parts of his body are cut off one after the other - but he does not renounce his ideals. Aurangzeb, facing mounting revolts, offers him a chance to surrender. Sambhaji remains defiant, declaring that the struggle for Swaraj ('self-governance') has spread across the empire. After the execution of Sambhaji, Yesubai crowns Rajaram as the next Chhatrapati, ensuring the resistance continues. The film ends with the eventual triumph of the Maratha Empire, as the Mughal Empire collapses within three decades, leading to the establishment of Indian Swaraj (self rule).
- English (UK)
- हिन्दी
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