Vicky Kaushal has once again gone full method for his latest film Chhaava, where he plays the legendary Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Not only did he dive deep into the character mentally, but he also physically transformed himself—gaining a whopping 25 kg for the role. And while fans are eager to see his dedication on screen, there’s one person who’s feeling a little sentimental about his transformation: his wife, Katrina Kaif.
In a recent promotional event for Chhaava, Vicky revealed Katrina’s hilarious reaction to his dramatic weight gain. “She was very happy. So happy, in fact, that she now misses Chhaava. Every time a new poster comes out, she likes it four or five times and comments, ‘Where did this version of you go?’” he shared.
Turns out, Katrina might also be looking forward to his next film, Mahavatar, purely for the return of his glorious beard. Talk about a beard appreciation club!
The weight gain, the beard, and the chaat that followed
Bulking up for the role was no easy feat. Vicky dedicated himself to intense training, long hours of shooting, and action rehearsals, barely getting any time for himself. But at the end of it all, what was his ultimate reward?
“Gol gappe and chaat,” Vicky proudly declared. Peak desi cheat meal energy.
Despite the grueling schedule, he praised Katrina for being incredibly understanding. “She knows the industry inside out, so she was very supportive. She understood that after 12 hours of shoot, plus two hours of training and two hours of action rehearsal, I had just enough energy left to collapse into bed.”
Rashmika’s surprise casting and the deleted dance scene drama
Joining Vicky in Chhaava is Rashmika Mandanna, who admitted she was surprised when director Laxman Utekar cast her in the film. “I don’t know how Laxman sir thought of me, but when I saw the first look and heard the script, I knew I had to do it,” she said.
Meanwhile, Chhaava has already seen its fair share of controversy even before its release. A lezim dance sequence featuring Vicky Kaushal was removed after objections were raised by politicians, including Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant.
Director Laxman Utekar explained, “I imagined Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj as a young warrior celebrating his return from battle with a traditional Lezim dance. However, some people objected, so we decided to remove the scene.”
This isn’t Vicky’s first rodeo with Laxman Utekar. The director first mentioned Chhaava to him while they were filming Zara Hatke Zara Bachke. And now, after months of rigorous prep, Chhaava is all set to storm the big screen on 14 February, promising a mix of history, action, and an extra bulked-up Vicky Kaushal.
Also starring Akshaye Khanna, Chhaava might just be the Valentine’s Day date night you never knew you needed. (Unless, of course, you’re Katrina Kaif, still mourning the temporary loss of 25+ kg of husband.)