February 13, 2025: Rashmika Mandanna, acclaimed for her versatile roles in Indian cinema, is taking on a historic challenge with her portrayal of Yesubai in the highly anticipated film Chhava. She opened up about the challenges of bringing this historical character to life, marking her first role as a real-life figure.
Rashmika shared that portraying Yesubai, a revered Maratha figure, was an entirely new experience for her, as she had never done a biopic before. She emphasized that playing a character from history, rather than creating a fictional role, was both thrilling and daunting. The actress confessed that she had little idea of how a royal warrior queen would act, talk, or move, and had to rely on her director, Laxman Utekar, for guidance. She expressed her pride in embodying the graceful and strong character of Yesubai.
The actress also discussed the challenges of speaking Hindi, a language she is not fluent in, and the physical demands of wearing heavy costumes and real gold jewellery. Despite these obstacles, she was committed to maintaining authenticity in her portrayal. Additionally, Rashmika noted that while there were no traditional dance numbers, the film’s music, composed by AR Rahman, played an essential role in elevating the grandeur of the period drama.
Chhaava features Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb. Directed by Laxman Utekar, the film is set against the backdrop of the Maratha Empire, focusing on the reign and struggles of Sambhaji Maharaj. The film is set for release on February 14.