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Shirke Family Warns of Taking Action Against Chhaava; Director Apologises
Updated on: 25 February, 2025 11:59 AM IST |Amruta Karulkar
Still from Chhaava
A major controversy has erupted over the film Chhaava, which has been praised by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has crossed the Rs 300 crore mark at the box office. The Shirke family of Maharashtra, descendants of Maratha commanders Ganoji and Kanhoji Shirke, have alleged that the film falsely portrays their ancestors as traitors who betrayed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. This accusation has led to a notice of Rs 100 crore defamation lawsuit against the filmmakers.
Deepak Raje Shirke, another family member, voiced his concerns: “Our reputation has been deeply affected. The whole of India thinks of us as gaddar (traitors). If the filmmakers continue to ignore us, we will take to the streets in protest. The Shirke family numbers are in lakhs in Maharashtra. Chhaava was, otherwise, a good film and the story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj should come before audiences. Only a few controversial parts must be removed.”
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Furthermore, he highlighted historical connections that contradict the betrayal narrative: “The truth is Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s wife, Maharani Yesubai Bhonsale, was from the Shirke family. Ganoji Shirke was married to the daughter of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Thereafter, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s son, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj I, was married to a Shirke woman. Now, if Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj had been betrayed by the Shirkes, would his son have been married to a Shirke girl? Maharani Yesubai Bhonsale was the sister of Ganojiraje Shirke. In Indian tradition, no man will make his sister a widow.”
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He stated, “We have only mentioned the names of Ganoji and Kanhoji in Chhaava, without referring to their surname. We’ve also made sure to not disclose the village they belonged to. Our intention was not to hurt the sentiments of the Shirke family. I sincerely apologise if Chhaava caused any discomfort.”
Legal Action and Family’s Reaction
Laxmikant Raje Shirke, the 13th descendant of Ganoji and Kanhoji Shirke, has filed a lawsuit against the makers of Chhaava. He stated that the film has caused immense damage to the family`s reputation. Several members of the Shirke family even gathered to plan their resistance, sending legal notices to the filmmakers, the publisher of the novel on which the film is based, and its rights holders.Deepak Raje Shirke, another family member, voiced his concerns: “Our reputation has been deeply affected. The whole of India thinks of us as gaddar (traitors). If the filmmakers continue to ignore us, we will take to the streets in protest. The Shirke family numbers are in lakhs in Maharashtra. Chhaava was, otherwise, a good film and the story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj should come before audiences. Only a few controversial parts must be removed.”
Also Read: Chhaava: A Look at Vicky Kaushal`s 6-Month Intense Training Regimen
The Disputed Portrayal in the Film
The family argues that the film is based on the novel Chhaava by Shivaji Sawant, published in 1979, which inaccurately depicts their ancestors as betraying Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Deepak Raje Shirke stated: “It is a work of fiction and imagination. The novel, Chhaava, by the late Sivaji Sawant, was published in 1979 and, without any basis, accused Ganoji and Kanhoji Shirke of betrayal. Elders from our family had registered their objection to the novel as well. In 2009, we filed an RTI with the Directorate of Archives, and they responded that there was no evidence to support the contention of the Shirkes’ betrayal.”Furthermore, he highlighted historical connections that contradict the betrayal narrative: “The truth is Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s wife, Maharani Yesubai Bhonsale, was from the Shirke family. Ganoji Shirke was married to the daughter of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Thereafter, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s son, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj I, was married to a Shirke woman. Now, if Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj had been betrayed by the Shirkes, would his son have been married to a Shirke girl? Maharani Yesubai Bhonsale was the sister of Ganojiraje Shirke. In Indian tradition, no man will make his sister a widow.”
Also Read: Vicky Kaushal And Katrina Kaif Walk Hand-In-Hand At Chhava Screening, See Video
Director Laxman Utekar’s Apology
Following the backlash, director Laxman Utekar reached out to Bhushan Shirke, a descendant of the family, to apologise for unintentionally causing hurt. He clarified that the film did not explicitly mention the surnames or the village names of Ganoji and Kanhoji.He stated, “We have only mentioned the names of Ganoji and Kanhoji in Chhaava, without referring to their surname. We’ve also made sure to not disclose the village they belonged to. Our intention was not to hurt the sentiments of the Shirke family. I sincerely apologise if Chhaava caused any discomfort.”
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