Chhaava Streams on Netflix, But Fans Disappointed Over Lack of Regional Language Options

Vicky Kaushal’s period action drama Chhaava finally made its digital debut on Netflix, much to the excitement of fans who had eagerly waited for the film’s OTT release. However, what was expected to be a celebratory moment has taken a slightly sour turn for many viewers across the country. While the film has been praised for its powerful performances and grand visuals, fans are expressing their disappointment online over the fact that Chhaava is only available in Hindi.

In an era when Indian cinema is breaking linguistic boundaries and content is being dubbed into multiple regional languages for wider reach, Chhaava’s single-language availability has sparked a wave of criticism. Audiences from South India, as well as Bengali, Marathi, and Punjabi-speaking viewers, took to social media to question why a big-budget historical film like this wasn’t made accessible in their native languages.

Given Netflix’s vast Indian audience and its usual practice of releasing films in several regional languages, this move has come off as an unexpected letdown. Many pointed out that other major OTT releases often come with dubbing or subtitles in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada — something that helps non-Hindi speakers connect better with the story and characters. Unfortunately, Chhaava falls short in that department.

Despite the backlash, the film itself has managed to capture attention with Vicky Kaushal’s compelling portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, bringing the Maratha legacy alive on screen. The action sequences, emotional arcs, and historical backdrop continue to draw praise from those who can watch it in its original language.

Still, the larger concern remains: in a country as linguistically diverse as India, content creators and streaming platforms may need to prioritize inclusivity to ensure everyone feels represented. Until then, films like Chhaava might win critical acclaim but miss out on a truly pan-Indian reach.