It’s been making waves at the Hindi box office and has emerged as a sleeper hit. Chaava – a periodic drama centred on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Bhosale, the brave Maratha king and the eldest son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj – has impressed one and all with its realistic sets, costumes, backgrounds, effects and what have you. Cinema goers have been overawed by its authenticity which is essential for period and historical movies.
For ReDefine India’s VFX supervisor Somesh Ghosh, being authentic guided the painstaking digital craftsmanship that transformed director Laxman Utekar’s vision of Chhaava into a visual masterpiece.
“Every frame needed to align with the 1600s aesthetic,” explains Ghosh, a 19-year industry veteran whose recent portfolio includes Maidaan, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, and Salaar. “This meant working closely with director Laxman Utekar and director of photography Saurabh Goswami to ensure that every visual element—from environments to battle sequences—was meticulously crafted for authenticity and impact.”
ReDefine’s involvement began after the initial edit was completed, with the production team seeking additional expertise to enhance both the timeline and the quality of VFX. The focus of Ghosh’s team was achieving a photorealistic aesthetic that blends with live-action cinematography. “Whether it was reconstructing historical forts, extending landscapes, or simulating large-scale battles, our goal was to make the VFX an integral part of the storytelling rather than a noticeable addition,” he adds. “We took a layered approach—ensuring accurate material properties, atmospheric depth, and physically accurate light interaction.”
The brief was clear: integrate VFX with the live-action footage whilst maintaining historical authenticity and visual realism. This commitment to period accuracy drove an extensive research process. “Authenticity was key,” he emphasises. “We leveraged photogrammetry to capture highly detailed textures and measurements of weapons, ensuring historical accuracy while adhering to modern safety protocols.”
The fort reconstructions presented a particular challenge, requiring the team to study architectural references from the era. Structures like Bhorwada and Aurangzeb’s Fort were recreated with precision, while surrounding landscapes demanded high-resolution 8K rendering to achieve the necessary detail for large-scale cinematic shots. “Our biggest challenge was ensuring these elements integrated into the live-action footage—matching lighting, depth, and environmental conditions so that every VFX element felt like it belonged in the real world,” he notes.
The film’s battle sequences required a complex orchestra of visual elements. Under Utekar’s direction and cinematographer Goswami’s visual framework, the team enhanced these sequences with digitally simulated elements including dynamic blood splatter and volumetric dust. “Crowd simulations played a major role in making the battles feel expansive while maintaining continuity across multiple shots,” says Ghosh. “The key was ensuring a blend between practical and digital elements—everything from lighting to movement had to feel natural.”
The Sangameshwar Lake fight and Bhorwada sequences proved particularly challenging, involving complex water simulations and large-scale battle choreography that required precise continuity across multiple shots. “Integrating digital environments with practical sets was a demanding process, but it was also incredibly rewarding,” he mentions. “Every element—rippling water, debris interactions, and atmospheric effects—had to be precisely timed and rendered to ensure realism.”
ReDefine’s adaptive pipeline allowed for the integration of cutting-edge techniques in rendering, simulation, and machine learning-based compositing. “For Chhaava, we explored advanced crowd simulation and procedural terrain generation, ensuring scalability while maintaining high visual fidelity. Our team also leveraged deep learning-assisted upscaling techniques for certain sequences, optimising render efficiency without sacrificing quality,” he explains.
For him, the historical nature of the film set it apart from other projects he has worked on. “Unlike other genres where creative liberties are allowed, period films demand rigorous research and accuracy,” he highlights. “Our approach was deeply rooted in historical references, ensuring everything from fort designs to battle formations remained faithful to the period.”
This difference extends to the practical constraints of historical filmmaking. With large-scale sets or authentic locations often unavailable, VFX becomes the primary tool for recreating grand environments while maintaining accuracy.
Now released to critical acclaim, the film’s VFX have garnered praise from both industry professionals and audiences. For Ghosh, this recognition reflects a team achievement. “VFX is a collaborative art form—it’s not the work of a single individual, but the result of an entire team’s dedication and expertise,” he says. “More importantly, we’re thrilled that audiences have connected with the story and appreciated the legacy of Sambhaji Maharaj, whose bravery and leadership continue to inspire.”
Looking ahead, Ghosh hints at exciting developments for ReDefine. “2025-26 will be a defining year for us, with projects that push the boundaries of visual storytelling,” he concludes. “We’re constantly evolving, and I can’t wait to share what’s next.”