Chhaava Teaser: Akshaye Khanna stuns as Aurangzeb, vibes with Ranveer Singh, Saif Ali Khan in Padmaavat, Tanhaji

Chhaava teaser released today unveiled the fierce avatar of Vicky Kaushal as Sambhaji Raje Bhonsle, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shambhu Maharaj as he was popularly called was considered to be a better warrior than Shivaji Maharaj and never lost a battle in his life. But it was Aurangzeb who captured him and killed him brutally when Sambhaji refused to change his religion.

While it was expected that Vicky Kaushal would nail the character of Sambhaji Maharaj as he has been so impactful in Sam Bahadur and Sardar Uddham Singh biopics. But the surprise came when in the end the teaser of Chhaava uveiled Akshaye Khanna as a very old Aurangzeb, an emperor known for being a miser, cruel, and a fanatic Islam follower.

Akshaye Khanna with the long, white beard and the get-up of Aurangzeb looks menacing but unrecognisable. He is one actor who is very choosey and does only one or two movies a year which is why the enigma around this Dil Chahta Hai actor has never diminished a bit. Interestingly, Akshaye has done negative roles fabulously earlier too and nailed as lead antagonist in Humraaz and Race.

Even before Akshaye Khanna, many Bollywood stars had played Moghul or Islamic Emperors with negative shades which is why the moment this teaser hit the web netizens started recalling Ranveer Singh’s Allauddin Khilji from Padmaavat.

Another character that also was discussed was that of Saif Ali Khan as Udaybhan Singh Rathore in Tanhaji. Both these actors were highly appreciated for playing these warrior-antagonists so well. After playing Bajirao Peshwe in Bajirao Mastani no one expected such a menacing character from Ranveer Singh like Khilji but he played the role so fabulously well that he even overshadowed Shahid Kapoor as the male lead.

Akshaye Khanna may have a smaller role in Chhaava but it feels that even in the short role Akshaye Khanna will come up with a memorable performance as Aurangzeb as he has always done. Certainly, the inclusion of this seasoned actor in the movie has increased the excitement manifold with fans already anticipating a faceoff between Vicky and Akshaye.