‘We Are Fearlessly Representing India,’ Says Vicky Kaushal On Chhaava, Dhurandhar’s Success

Two of the biggest Hindi films this year, Dhurandhar and Chhaava, have sparked a discussion among moviegoers and industry watchers. Both patriotic dramas have crossed the Rs 800-crore mark at the global

box office, leading some to wonder whether nationalism-themed stories are becoming a guaranteed recipe for commercial success.

During an interaction with NDTV, Chhaava lead actor Vicky Kaushal addressed the perception that patriotism guarantees revenue. Responding to this claim, he said, “I think patriotism can’t be a formula and saying it is a formula is an insult to the emotion. Patriotism is our truth, which we will keep showing through our movies, literature and sports.”

Kaushal noted that the intent behind such films goes beyond commercial ambition. According to him, patriotic storytelling allows creators to express admiration for the country. As he put it, “This is the way we can put our foot in the door and say that we are proud of the diversity, legacy and the truth of our country. I am so proud that I am a little part of this big moment where we are fearlessly representing India on a global map.”

Chhaava is a historical action drama that chronicles the life of Sambhaji, the second ruler of the Maratha Empire. Vicky Kaushal stars in the titular role, with the film serving as an adaptation of Shivaji Sawant’s Marathi novel Chhava. The project is directed by Laxman Utekar and backed by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films. The supporting cast features Akshaye Khanna and Rashmika Mandanna.

Pre-production started in April 2023, followed by principal photography from October 2023 to May 2024. A. R. Rahman composed the film’s score and soundtrack, with lyrics penned by Irshad Kamil and Kshitij Patwardhan.

The film released theatrically on February 14, 2025, in both standard and IMAX formats. Critical reception was mixed, and the film sparked debate over alleged historical inaccuracies. Despite the criticism, Chhaava achieved significant commercial success, grossing between ₹797.34 crore (US$94 million) and ₹809 crore (US$96 million). It became the third-highest-grossing Indian film and the second-highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025, and currently ranks among the top ten highest-grossing Hindi films of all time.

Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, meanwhile, has seen even stronger ticket sales. The spy thriller stars Ranveer Singh as an undercover operative working to dismantle Pakistan-linked terror networks. The ensemble includes Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal. Within 17 days, the film has grossed Rs 845 crore and is expected to cross the Rs 1000-crore benchmark.