With Maharashtra’s entertainment tax abolished in 2017, the state government will explore further measures to promote the film, which has already crossed ₹140 crore in four days.

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday praised the recently released film Chhaava, stating that it has been made without distorting history.
Responding to demands to make the film tax-free, Fadnavis clarified that Maharashtra had removed entertainment tax in 2017 but assured that the state would explore ways to further promote the film.

“I am happy that a very good movie has been made on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj‘s life. I have yet to watch it, but I have heard from people that this film has been made without distorting history. There has been a lot of demand from the people to make this film tax-free. I want to inform the people that we removed the entertainment tax in 2017 itself in Maharashtra. We will see what best we can do to promote this film and make it available for maximum people,” Fadnavis said.
Released on February 14, Chhaava, starring Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Rashmika Mandanna as Maharani Yesubai, has received an overwhelming response from audiences.
Directed by Laxman Utekar, the historical drama portrays Sambhaji Maharaj’s resistance against Aurangzeb and his ultimate sacrifice for the Maratha Empire. The film has sparked a wave of cultural enthusiasm, with packed theaters across Maharashtra and fervent fan celebrations.
The film’s impact has also led to dramatic incidents.
In Nagpur, a fan rode a horse inside a cinema hall, chanting slogans, while in Gujarat’s Bharuch, a man vandalized a theatre screen during an emotional scene, leading to his arrest. The Bharuch incident resulted in damages worth Rs 1.5 lakh and disrupted scheduled screenings.
Despite these incidents, Chhaava continues to soar at the box office, crossing ₹140 crore in just four days. The film’s success has also reignited discussions on historical representation in cinema, with many hailing it as a tribute to Maratha heritage.
Fadnavis’ remarks come amid growing calls from political and cultural groups to further support the film. While the entertainment tax is no longer applicable in Maharashtra, the state government is now exploring additional measures to ensure wider reach and accessibility.