'Chhaava,' 'Padmaavat': Period films that faced heat before hitting screens
What's the story
The upcoming Vicky Kaushal-starrer, Chhaava, releasing on February 14, recently landed in controversy over a dance sequence of Kaushal's character, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
The sequence was criticized by politicians and social media users alike. In light of the backlash, the filmmakers have now decided to remove the contentious scene from the film.
However, Chhaava isn't the only one; several other period films have faced similar controversies before release.
Here's a list.
Film defense
'Chhaava' director defended the controversial dance sequence
In Chhaava, the controversy erupted after a song showed Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna dancing to the Lezim (folk dance of Maharashtra).
In an official statement, director Laxman Utekar defended his creative decision to include the sequence. He explained he imagined the Maratha warrior and king Sambhaji Maharaj as a 20-year-old boy celebrating with a dance after a battle victory in his film.
Despite Utekar's explanation, many politicians weren't appeased and continued to express their disapproval.
Historical disputes
'Padmaavat' and 'Bajirao Mastani' faced historical accuracy disputes
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period films Padmaavat and Bajirao Mastani also had their share of controversies.
Padmaavat was caught in a row over an alleged romantic scene between Khilji and Rani Padmavati, which led to threats to Bhansali and actor Deepika Padukone. The film is set to re-release on February 6.
Meanwhile, Bajirao Mastani was criticized for allegedly inaccurate historical representation. A petition claimed the track Pinga in the film offended Marathi culture, adding fuel to the controversy.
Controversial portrayals
'Manikarnika' and 'Mangal Pandey' also faced pre-release controversies
Kangana Ranaut's Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi was another period film that courted controversy even before its release. The Karni Sena objected to the film showing Rani Lakshmi Bai having an affair with a British Officer.
To this, Ranaut had said, "Four historians have certified Manikarnika...but they are continuing to harass me."
Similarly, Aamir Khan's Mangal Pandey was criticized by several political parties who thought it distorted history by showing Mangal Pandey falling in love with a prostitute.
Legal hurdles
'Jodhaa Akbar' and 'Maharaj' faced legal challenges
Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Jodhaa Akbar was protested in many states for an allegedly misleading portrayal of the Rajput community. The film was temporarily banned in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttarakhand before the Supreme Court of India lifted the ban.
Similarly, Junaid Khan's debut film Maharaj (2024) also stirred controversy. Its Netflix release was stalled after members of the Pushtimarg sector filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court against the film.