'Chhaava': TV actor slams Bollywood, NCERT over poor Maratha representation
What's the story
Vicky Kaushal's latest period drama, Chhaava, has been receiving rave reviews for its depiction of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. One of the admirers is TV actor and radio jockey Shardul Pandit who recently praised the film.
But he also questioned Bollywood and the Indian education system's treatment of history.
Why wasn't he more aware of the contributions of Maratha warriors like Sambhaji or Shivaji?
Pandit's questions
'Why do I remember everyone but don't have a clue...'
Pandit took to Instagram to share his thoughts.
He wrote, "I saw Chhava yesterday and couldn't help but ask my friend 'Ye sab humne kyu nahi padha?' Why do I remember everyone but don't have a clue about the contribution of the great Maratha warriors? Why I haven't been gloating in pride over a hero like Sambhaji or Shivaji?"
"Why was Bollywood shying away from bringing them to light? Why were they omitted from my school books?"
Film's accuracy
Pandit praised 'Chhaava' team for accurate portrayal
Despite his criticism, Pandit praised Maddock Films, director Laxman Utekar, and Kaushal for making "a very accurate film."
He also slammed YouTubers who uploaded negative videos about the film's political elements.
Asking people to watch Chhaava with their children, he said that society has done "a gross injustice to this glorious Maratha Sher #chatrapatisambhajimaharaj by not celebrating him enough in our history."
Online reaction
Internet users echoed Pandit's sentiments
Pandit's Instagram post led to a discussion among netizens. Many agreed with his sentiments, admitting they too were unaware of the history of the great Maratha warriors.
They echoed his concerns about the omission of these figures from school curriculums and Bollywood narratives.
Another user noted how the Indian education system gives precedence to science learning, and often social science periods are used by kids "to complete science and maths homework," thereby affecting their knowledge of history.