More than a month ago, music composer AR Rahman raked up a controversy by calling Vicky Kaushal starrer-Chhaava as a `divisive film.` Now the writer of the historical drama, Rishi Virmani, has addressed the controversy, sharing his opinion on Rahman`s comment.
Chhaava writer Rishi Virmani reacts to AR Rahman`s comment
For the unversed, Chhaava, helmed by Laxman Utekar, is based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The film acquired immense public support but also faced criticism from certain sections.
During a recent interview with Zoom, Virmani dismissed Rahman`s idea that cinema could single-handedly influence social or political thinking. “It is hard to believe that an entire mindset can be changed in just a couple of hours of screen time,” he shared. Rishi further highlighted the audience`s independent judgment, saying, “I have not seen this kind of attachment of the audience towards a film in a really long time.” He also suggested that viewers connect with the story on their own terms.
Virmani also noted that there have been many instances where viewers have gone against industry predictions and delivered verdicts that surprised filmmakers.
AR Rahman`s remark
The controversy started after AR Rahman, who composed Chhaava`s music and background score, shared his candid thoughts. During a conversation with BBC Asian Network, Rahman said, “It is a divisive film. I think it cashed in on divisiveness, but I think the core of it is to show bravery. I had asked the director: `Why did he need me for this film?` He replied, `We need only you for this.` It is an enjoyable film, but definitely, people are smarter than that. Do you think people are going to get influenced by movies? They have something called internal conscience, which knows what the truth is, and what manipulation is.”
For the uninitiated, Chhaava is adapted from the Marathi novel of the same name written by Shivaji Sawant. The screenplay of the film was written by Laxman Utekar and Rishi Virmani, along with Kaustubh Savarkar, Unman Bankar, and Omkar Mahajan. The film featured Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Rashmika Mandanna as Yesubai Bhonsale, and Akshaye Khanna as Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.