The film Chhava, starring Vicky Kaushal, has been praised for its portrayal of the bravery and sacrifice of Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. However, it has sparked controversy as the descendants of Ganoji and Kanhoji Shirke, two historical figures featured in the movie, have raised objections. They claim their ancestors were unfairly depicted as traitors, which they believe distorts history, as Ganoji and Kanhoji were loyal soldiers of Sambhaji Maharaj.
Bhushan Shirke, a descendant of the Shirke family, formally approached the film’s director, Laxman Uttekar, seeking clarification and an apology. He expressed his discontent over the negative portrayal of their ancestors in the film.
In response, Laxman Uttekar addressed the concerns and apologized, explaining that the names of Ganoji and Kanhoji Shirke, as well as their village, were not mentioned in the film. Despite this clarification, the Shirke family remains firm in their stance, asserting that their ancestors have been misrepresented.
Laxmikant Raje Shirke, the 13th descendant of Ganoji and Kanhoji, has vowed to take legal action, threatening a ₹100 crore defamation lawsuit if the film’s portrayal is not corrected. The Shirke family has also filed a complaint with the Pune Police Commissioner and is demanding legal consequences for the filmmakers. They have warned that if their grievances are not addressed, they will organize large-scale protests across Maharashtra.
