Vicky Kaushal has finally addressed the controversy surrounding the deleted lezim dance in his forthcoming film, Chhaava. The scene sparked debate after a descendant of Shivaji Maharaj raised objections regarding its inclusion in the narrative. Vicky has issued a firm statement regarding the omitted scene, clarifying his perspective on the entire issue. Here is his statement.

Vicky Kaushal on the Chhaava controversy and the deleted lezim dance:  

"The lezim segment lasted only 20-30 seconds in the film. It was not merely a narrative element, but an attempt to showcase our culture to a global audience," Vicky remarked to the media in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Despite his initial resistance to the removal of the segment, as it could have provided international recognition for the dance form, Vicky further stated, "Sambhaji Maharaj was a ruler of the people, and if someone requested him to participate in a lezim dance, he would certainly agree. However, if his followers find it somewhat inappropriate… it is not essential to the film’s storyline, so we have decided to remove it."

The Chhava controversy and consequent lezim dance scene removal

Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant expressed his dissatisfaction upon witnessing Vicky Kaushal's portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj through dance. He issued a warning that he and his supporters would prevent the film's release unless the dance sequence was removed and the film was verified with historians.

In response, Director Laxman Utekar consulted with Raj Thackeray, a leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Following Thackeray's advice, the lezim dance was subsequently removed from the film. Utekar also committed to eliminating any other contentious scenes prior to the film's release.

About Chhaava

Chhaava narrates the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's son, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The character is brought to life by Vicky Kaushal in the film. In addition to him, Chhaava includes notable performances by Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, Ashutosh Rana, and Divya Dutta in significant roles. The release date for the film is set for February 14.

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