Entertainment
Vicky Kaushal Discusses His Transformation for ‘Chhaava’ and Katrina Kaif’s Unexpected Response
Directed by Laxman Utekar, ‘Chhaava’ vividly depicts the valiant reign of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, one of India’s most celebrated historical personalities. The film explores key moments in his life, beginning with his coronation in 1681, and delves into the intricacies of his rule.
Speaking openly about the physical trials he faced, Vicky recalled Katrina’s supportive response to his significant weight gain. “She was thrilled to the point that she now misses ‘Chhaava’,” he laughed. “Whenever a new poster comes out, she’s always the first to like it multiple times, often commenting ‘Ye kahan gaya?’ about my character.” With a smile, he added, “She’s eagerly looking forward to my next project, ‘Mahavatar’, particularly because of the beard look.”
Vicky also shared a humorous aspect of his journey, revealing that after completing the demanding shoot for ‘Chhaava’, he treated himself to some favorite street foods. “After the shoot, I indulged in gol gappe and chaat,” he chuckled.
However, preparing for the role was no small feat. Vicky spoke about the commitment required, stating, “There were days when I hardly had time to relax. With 12-hour shoots, plus two hours of training before and two hours of action rehearsals afterward, sleep was a rare luxury.” He praised Katrina for her understanding during this intense period, saying, “Katrina knows how the industry works, and she was incredibly kind and patient with me.”
Rashmika Mandanna also plays a significant role in the film. Sharing her excitement upon joining the project, she expressed, “I had no clue why Laxman sir thought of me for this role. But once I saw the first look and heard the script, I knew it was meant for me.”
Also Read: Rashmika Mandanna transforms into Maharani Yesubai in ‘Chhaava’ first look
While ‘Chhaava’ is generating buzz for its engaging storyline and powerful performances, it has not been without controversy. A traditional Lezim dance sequence featuring Vicky’s character was recently cut after objections from various political figures, including Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant. “The issue arose over the portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj performing the Lezim dance. I envisioned him celebrating a triumphant battle return with such a performance, but we decided to remove it after the objections,” Vicky explained.
During the promotional event, Vicky reminisced about the initial conversation with director Laxman Utekar regarding the concept for ‘Chhaava’, which took place while they were working on ‘Zara Hatke Zara Bachke’.
The crowd erupted in cheers as cameras captured Ajith, who appeared to relish the game, alongside his wife Shalini and their two children. He acknowledged the fans’ affection with a thumbs-up gesture.
Ajith’s attendance was particularly surprising, as the actor is known for his low-profile lifestyle and infrequent public appearances.
This outing followed a special occasion, as Ajith had just celebrated 25 years of marriage with Shalini, marking the event with a cake-cutting ceremony. Shalini shared a touching video on her Instagram at midnight, featuring the couple feeding each other a slice of cake while Tina Turner’s “The Best” played in the background.
Following the match, Ajith is expected to return to Europe to participate in various car races scheduled until September. His racing team, Ajith Kumar Racing, has earned accolades for representing India well, including a third-place finish at the Dubai Autodrome in January and another third place at the Mugello Circuit in Italy in March. More recently, the team claimed second place at the Creventic Endurance Race at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium in the Porsche 992 GT3 Cup category.
Upcoming Creventic races for Ajith Kumar will take place at the Misano World Circuit on May 24, Circuit Paul Ricard on July 5, and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on September 27. Additionally, Ajith Kumar Racing will compete in the GT4 European Series, a renowned platform for GT4-spec racing across Europe’s iconic circuits.
The GT4 European Series race previously taking place at Paul Ricard from April 11-13 will continue at Zandvoort, Netherlands from May 16-18, Spa, Belgium from June 26-29, Misano, Italy from July 18-20, Nürburgring, Germany from August 29-31, and conclude in Barcelona, Spain from October 10-12.
Sharing a few pictures from her hospital stay, Zeenat posted on Instagram, “Greetings from the recovery room! I understand if you think I’ve abandoned my social media presence, as my profile has been rather quiet lately. As they say in India – what can I do? The tedious paperwork and anxiety surrounding my medical procedures took precedence these past weeks. However, I’m emerging from this experience and feel inspired to share more stories on Instagram.”
She expressed a poignant reflection, stating that a hospital can serve as a powerful reminder of life and one’s voice. “There’s nothing quite like the stark environment of a hospital to awaken the realization of being alive! Expect more cinematic insights, personal stories, fashion, furry friends, and yes… definitely more opinions. If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore, please leave it in the comments, and I’ll choose a few to share,” she added.
Zeenat also mentioned that she celebrated two years on social media this February, amassing over 800,000 followers. “On a side note, I marked two years on social media in February and reached 800,000 followers this April. My journey began with hesitation, shifted to empowerment, then to disillusionment, and has now blossomed into fresh curiosity! I cherish what this platform offers, but I find the nature of monetized social media troubling.”
She candidly shared the darker aspects of social media, noting, “As I engage with you here and occasionally monetize this account, I feel it’s vital to remind you that Instagram is NOT reality. The days of straightforward ads are behind us—now endorsements might be subtle and unannounced, followers purchased, images heavily edited, and likes artificially generated! I take pride in the fact that our community has grown without resorting to these questionable tactics.”
Zeenat followed up with a hospital image on her Instagram stories, captioning it, “Yes, I’ve been quiet. But now I’m ready to chat.”
The story follows Kyrah and Isaac Sarr, former members of a covert international assassin group called “Shadow Force.” After breaking protocol by falling in love and leaving the unit to start a family, they are forced to flee with a $25 million bounty on their heads.
The film features a powerful ensemble cast, including Omar Sy (Lupin, The Intouchables), Mark Strong (1917, Kingsman: The Secret Service), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers, Dolemite Is My Name), Cliff “Method Man” Smith (Power Book II: Ghost, Godfather of Harlem), and Jahleel Kamara (Rise, Nanny).
Pilar Savone, Washington’s producing partner at Simpson Street, expressed that casting her was an obvious choice. “Her entire team loved the story and wanted to see her as this fierce, strong action star. She’s been a badass since Olivia Pope in Scandal, but now she’s stepping into an action hero role.”
Washington last appeared in an action film in 2005’s “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” She reflected, “I had a blast on that film, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do if the opportunity arose.” Yet, it wasn’t just the chance to play a strong character that drew her to this role; it was the film’s themes that deeply resonated with her artistic mission.
“I’ve explored the value of Black life and the vulnerabilities of Black parenting, especially Black motherhood. So, it struck me how wonderful it is that this film focuses on protecting and saving a Black boy,” she concluded.
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