Enigmatic Horizon brings you an interview with Chhaava writer Unman Bankar, who shares about his experiences working in the film
Edited by: Robin Bhuyan
Interviewed by: Rupsha Das
Written by: Tiyasha Tewari
In the world of entertainment, whether we talk about movies, video games, or literature, there are several people who remain mostly anonymous, despite their craft and their talent. One such name is Unman Bankar, an Indian screenplay writer who was the co-writer of movie Chhaava. A historical film released in 2025, the film is based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and ruler of the Maratha Empire. The lead character was played by Vicky Kaushal. Directed by Laxman Utekar, the screenplay of this movie was written by Unman Bankar, along with Omkar Mahajan, Rishi Virmani and Kaustubh Savarkar. Chhaava writer Mr Bankar has a crucial role in ensuring historical accuracy in the film and ensuring that Sambhaji Maharaj receives the proper respect that he deserves. In an exclusive interview with the Chhaava writer, Enigmatic Horizon discusses his experiences in the movie and his visions for future.
How did you first get involved in the project?
During the lockdown in 2020, I was reading the book Chhaava, a historical novel on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Around that time, Omkar Mahajan, (also Chhaava writer) who had been previously working with director Laxman Utekar, contacted me. He mentioned that Laxman ji was interested in making a historical film. When I learned it was going to be in Hindi and based on history, I was immediately excited. Having previously worked on Marathi historical films and web series, I saw this as my big break in Bollywood. However, I also felt the immense responsibility of doing justice to such a significant historical figure.
What were the main challenges in writing the screenplay?
The biggest challenge was balancing historical accuracy with cinematic storytelling. A book allows readers to imagine scenes, while a film must visually depict them. We had to make sure the essence of the book while ensuring that the screenplay translated well onto the big screen.
Another major challenge was the length. The initial draft was completed in 2022, and it was seven and a half hours long which is obviously too lengthy for a commercial release. But problem was that every event felt crucial, making it difficult to remove any scene. We even considered making a web series, but Laxman Utekar made it clear that Sambhaji Maharaj’s story was grand and needed a big-screen release. To solve this, we took a break to clear our minds. When we returned, we focused primarily on his journey as a warrior rather than covering every aspect of his life, such as governance, writings, and philosophy. This helped us refine the film to around two hours and 41 minutes.
The film has received box office success, and has been immensely well received, especially in Maharashtra. What kind of audience responses have stood out to you?
The response has been incredible. Many people, especially in Maharashtra, connected deeply with Sambhaji Maharaj’s portrayal. I’ve heard multiple accounts of viewers being so immersed in the second half that they didn’t realize how much time had passed. Some audiences even told me they left the theatre feeling emotional and inspired. That’s exactly the impact we wanted—to bring Sambhaji Maharaj’s legacy to life in a way that moves people.
Many people were upset by the portrayal of Aurangzeb. What do you have to say about this?
Yes, main controversy was regarding the depiction of Aurangzeb. Some people felt the film misrepresented historical facts. But I don’t blame them. Historical narratives are often shaped by what people have been taught, and this is why they are unaware of the truth. I tried to explain our approach to critics, emphasizing that we conducted thorough research. That said, changing deep-seated beliefs takes time. Despite some negative reactions, the support from Maharashtra was overwhelming. Many people assured us they would stand by the film, which was reassuring.
Were you ever afraid of backlash or protests?
There was some tension, but I was never afraid. If we start fearing minor protests, then making a film about a fearless warrior like Sambhaji Maharaj would have been meaningless. For every hundred people who protested, there were at least a hundred thousand who supported us. The strong local support, especially from Maharashtra and Pune, gave us confidence.
After the success of Chhaava, do you have any plans for a sequel, or do you want any movie based on another unsung historical character?
I would love to continue the story beyond Chhava. It’s essential to show what happened after Sambhaji Maharaj’s sacrifice and how his legacy shaped history. His struggle wasn’t in vain—his prophecy about the fall of the Mughal Empire eventually came true. Many people don’t know this part of history because mainstream education often omits or distorts certain events. I believe cinema is among the most powerful ways to educate people about real history.
What message do you hope audiences take away from the film?
I hope audiences understand the depth of Sambhaji Maharaj’s sacrifice. He was not just a warrior; he was a visionary who fought for Dharma, society and his people. His resilience and courage should inspire everyone, especially the younger generation. If the film encourages even a few people to learn more about his life and contributions, then we’ve succeeded.
Bollywood is making remake after remake these last few years, instead of making movies on such unsung heroes. Why do you think that is?
Producers see remakes as a safer bet. Historical films require extensive research, responsibility, and financial investment. Moreover, they carry significant risks—if they fail, the losses are high. That’s why many filmmakers avoid them. Even Chhaava’s producer had initial doubts. Friends warned him that the film’s subject matter was controversial. But once he decided to proceed, he was fully committed to making the best film possible.
What is your perspective regarding censorship in cinema?
In a simple line I think we have to accept the censorship guidelines. In this movie there were some words which were abusive according to them so we changed those words, but thankfully we could show everything we wanted to keep in the movie.
Do you think it becomes difficult for movies to be successful on the big screen due to OTT platforms?
It depends on the movie. There are many films where it doesn’t matter whether you watch them on the big screen or OTT; we may watch those films anywhere but a film like “Bahubali” or “Chhaava” is made for the big screen. It is important to watch these types of movies on big screen to get the real experience. But if you ask whether OTT is reducing the crowd in cinema halls, the answer is yes.
Which screenplay writers or directors inspire you the most?
While many writers and directors inspire me, I prefer to focus on the movie itself rather than who made it. I focus on the product. Sometimes even a bad movie has a dialogue or moment which can be quite impactful.
Do you want to direct any film in future? What type of film you will make?
Yes, I definitely have that wish but I don’t have enough knowledge about direction yet. When I’ll feel that I know enough, and that I can direct a film I’ll definitely think about it. And my goal would be to make a movie on social issues through comedy.
What is your current project running?
I am currently working on a Hindi web series story. It is not a historical project. I can’t say more than that at the moment. Also, a Marathi project is coming as well.
Thank you for your time.
You can read our Chhaava review here.
If you wish you to know if India should also make a game inspired by Chhaava exploring the untold stories of our unsung warriors, read it here.
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