Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, Bolly Spice : ...It is very difficult to pin down the layers of excellence in Chhaava. Suffice it to say that director Laxman Utekar uses every frame as an inventive playground for his imaginative intensity. The screen smoulders with enviable vigour. There is a rigorous pursuit of a language of storytelling that reveres the warrior’s self-imposed tenets while avoiding every cliché of the historical drama. If there is only one film that you intend to see this year, then stop right here.... full review

Thumbs up, Bollywood Life : ...Chhaava is a film that is as much about history as it is about heroism, sacrifice, and the spirit of Swaraj. With gripping storytelling, magnificent direction, and a stellar cast, it’s a must-watch for anyone who appreciates powerful cinema that tells an untold story with grandeur and heart.... full review

Thumbs up, by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare : ...In conclusion, Chhaava succeeds in delivering a high-intensity action film, anchored by Vicky Kaushal's powerhouse performance. However, it falls short in fully capturing the complexities of Sambhaji’s character, leaving much of his multifaceted legacy unexplored. The film is a stirring tribute to the warrior king, but it could have delved deeper into the man behind the legend.... full review

Thumbs up, by Ganesh Aaglave, FirstPost : ...A.R Rahman’s music, BGM and scores blends beautifully with the narrative and enhances the storytelling. However, the jump cuts might be one of the obstacles that might give you a feeling of disconnect. The camera work of Saurabh Goswami is good while Manish Pradhan’s could have been a bit smoother and crisper.... full review

Thumbs up, by iqbal Pervez, Glamsham.com : ...On the whole, Chhaava is the story of a hero whose valour will keep you glued to your seats.... full review

Thumbs up, by Jaya Dwivedie, India TV : ...Chhaava is a great film; to understand its grandeur, one should watch it in theatres only. The minor mistakes in the film can be easily ignored, and this film will prove to be a treat for Vicky Kaushal's fans. We are giving this period drama film 3.5 stars out of 5.... full review

Thumbs up, by Shreshtha Chaudhury, koimoi : ...Vicky Kaushal’s hard work, determination, and toil are quite visible in this one. The film serves as a gut-wrenching tribute to the bravery and valor of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and deserves a watch on the big screen.... full review

Thumbs up, Movie Talkies : ...After watching Chhaava, it's safe to say that Maddock Films is set for another huge blockbuster. Laxman Utekar has delivered a king-size spectacle with heart in the right place. This is, by far, his best Hindi film ever, and it will receive its due in the coming days. There will be no stopping this roaring cinematic spectacle at the box office. Let us all scream loud and clear: Har har Mahadev! Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji, Jai Sambhaji!... full review

Thumbs up, by CHIRAG SEHGAL, News18.com : ...Overall, the film, produced by Dinesh Vijan under the banner of Maddock Films, has managed to capture the essence of who Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was and why people across the world need to know of his legacy.... full review

Thumbs up, by Rishil Jogani, Pinkvilla : ...Chhaava is a commendable effort by Laxman Utekar to bring the story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj to the screen with reverence and intensity. Despite its flaws in sound design, song quality, and pacing, the film is bolstered by its lead performances, especially Vicky Kaushal's, and also its breathtaking action and terrific presentation. It's a film that demands to be seen on the big screen. Viewers discretion is advised because few portions are absolutely brutal.... full review

Thumbs up, by Prasanna D Zore, Rediff : ...Chhaava deserves two stars for the historically half-baked film that it is, but four stars just for its attempt on making a film on Sambhaji.... full review

Thumbs up, by Pooja Birala Jaiswal, The Week : ...The film showcases regality and grandeur, adrenaline-pumping action sequences and punchy dialogues, but interestingly, it does all of that and more, while ensuring it doesn't lose track of the plot and the narrative that runs beautifully across all its frames. This is a good watch, whether you're a history fan or not.... full review

Thumbs up, by Renuka Vyavahare, Times of India : ...Chhaava’s excellence lies in its gripping second half and a terrific climax. Vicky Kaushal is breathtaking as he exudes Sambhaji Maharaj’s valour and passion for swaraj like it were his second skin. You just wish the film relied and trusted its solid story more than Rahman's music, which largely feels out of place.... full review

So-So, by Aakash Kumar, Filmi Beat : ...Chhava is a decent historic drama with a mix of emotions, history, drama, and action. Vicky Kaushal delivered a strong performance and is the strongest pillar of the movie along with Akshaye Khanna.... full review

So-So, by Murtuza Iqbal, Free Press Journal : ...The movie is also very gory and has many brutal scenes. So, if you are planning to take your kids (as it is a U/A film), let us warn you they might feel uncomfortable in many scenes.... full review

So-So, by Tulasi Neppali, fullhyd.com : ...Indeed, historical fiction is unfamiliar territory for director Laxman Utekar, whose biggest films - Mimi, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke - are frothy, lighthearted romcoms. In Chhaava, Utekar seems to have stripped away any trace of humour or playfulness, as if fearing it would dilute the film's roiling passions. Yet, for all its notable moments and memorable dialogues - particularly in the third act - the film ultimately feels like one prolonged, shriek-filled climax, too restrained to truly let loose.... full review

So-So, by Rishabh Suri, Hindustan Times : ...Overall, Chhaava could have been a powerful tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Sambhaji. What stands between it and that goal, is bad editing and the excessive superherofication of the Maratha ruler. It's only in the moments where we see him humanised, where the film connects. The irony.... full review

So-So, by Tushar Joshi, india today : ...Watch it for Vicky's performance. His commitment to his craft is unparalleled. Chhaava doesn't aim to be exceptionally different, but it masters the art of navigating the mainstream waters without completely drowning in the cacophony of its own voice.... full review

So-So, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...The torture porn, supervised by Aurangzeb’s cruel daughter (Diana Penty, who’s having a bit of a costumed revival in period dramas), reminds you of the systematic flaying of Jesus in Mel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of Christ’. It is relentless, and ends, as does the film, in an exhausting blur.... full review

So-So, by Shachi Chaturvedi, MiD DAY : ...If you are ready to go through one hour of sluggish buildup to enjoy the glory, bravery, and courage of one of the greatest rulers of Indian history and the Maratha empire, then this film is surely something you would want to enjoy in theatres. Or else, the movie will soon stream on Netflix, so till then, you can just CHILL!... full review

So-So, by Sarika Sharma, Money Control : ...Vicky Kaushal and Akshaye Khanna deliver powerful performances, their dialogue exchange showcasing the clash of ideologies. The film portrays Aurangzeb's grudging respect for Sambhaji's courage and his regret at not having a son like him. Despite its strengths, 'Chhaava' suffers from an overabundance of war scenes and a lack of depth in its supporting characters. While Vicky Kaushal's performance is commendable, and the chemistry between him and Rashmika Mandanna is a delight, the film's focus on spectacle sometimes overshadows the emotional nuances of the story.... full review

So-So, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...The granules of history elude the film, and so do the finer points of the cinematic art of assembling barely remembered anecdotes for mass consumption. If it isn't a complete washout, it is solely because of the two main actors.... full review

So-So, by Isha Sharma, NewsBytes : ...All action and no emotions! Chhaava struggles greatly when it comes to connecting with the audience. Sure, large-scale historical dramas are incomplete without long-drawn action sequences, but how long can one watch (tolerate) only action? For the most part, Chhaava seems like a montage of action scenes with no emotional core, and even when several important characters die, you don't feel even an iota of pain.... full review

So-So, by Anuj Kumar, The Hindu : ...Thankfully, Utekar sticks to Aurangzeb’s culinary choices and Akshaye munches grapes to generate dread. He ensures that the shifty gaze of the bigot shines through heavy prosthetics and ham-fisted writing. For the record, Vicky was supposed to play Aurangzeb in the shelved Takht. Such are the times.... full review

So-So, by Pratikshya Mishra, The Quint : ...The sequences themselves are well-choreographed with few held back by shoddy editing. The film is clearly suffering from a Mel Gibson and Tarantino hangover with its treatment: the Gibson shadow works, the Tarantino-esque attempts mostly don’t.... full review

Thumbs down, by Neha Sen, Deccan Herald : ...Vicky Kaushal as Sambhaji and an unrecognisable Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb perform well, but fail to salvage the script. Rashmika Mandanna as Sambhaji’s wife is decent. If one can look past all the jingoism, the film does capture the grandness of the empires and the gory violence of wars quite well. However, the storytelling, with an over-the-top background score and amateur special effects, remains mediocre.... full review

Thumbs down, by Lekha Menon, Khaleej Times : ...Wish there were more of the mind games played between an ageing but powerful emperor and a passionate king determined to protect his kingdom at all costs. Wish the story explored more aspects of this period (an interesting part shows Sambhaji converse fluently in English with a Britisher). Wish the great men and women of this story had more depth. And wish Bollywood knew how to make a good historical film.... full review

Thumbs down, by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in : ...Laxman Utekar takes us through every bit of this ordeal – it’s what Chhaava has been building up to. The Christ-like imagery is apposite, given the all-round love for medieval punishment. But the film’s lack of feeling is vivid too, with shouty speechifying mistaken for heartfelt passion and sumptuous visuals confused for grandeur.... full review

Thumbs down, by Kartik Bhardwaj, the new Indian Express : ...His subsequent torture by Aurangzeb, although true as per popular history, is grotesque and stretched. Days and nights pass as a bloodied Sambhaji stands in chains like a biblical Jesus. His nails are ripped off, and his eyes are gouged out. But you don’t feel his pain. There is no sympathy nor a stirring sense of patriotism. There is just exhaustion.... full review