Ajay Devgn’s upcoming film ‘Chauhaan’ has found itself at the center of yet another controversy. Soon after the teaser drew criticism for its portrayal of the Kashmir conflict, the film is now facing objections from the Kshatriya Parishad. The organization has accused the perpetrators of misusing Rajput identity and history, saying the Chauhan family’s legacy has been drawn into today’s political stories.
Kshatriya Parishad opposed the use of Chauhan identity
In a strongly worded statement shared on social media, the Kshatriya Parishad condemned what it described as “weapons of Rajput history and redistribution of Rajput identities.” The organization stated that the Chauhan line is an important part of India’s historical heritage and should not be used for “electoral or ideological purposes.”It further stated, “The Chauhans are a historic Rajput (Kshatriya) line whose heritage belongs to history, not to partisan campaigns or manufactured media controversies.”The organization also expressed concern over repeated attempts to include Rajput identity in divisive political debates. Calling the development “very unfortunate,” it said, “At a time when Rajput voices remain unrepresented in the mainstream media and public discourse, invoking a Rajput clan name only to provoke anger, inflame caste and communal sentiments, or create political spectacle is irresponsible and disrespectful.
The organization cites historical examples
Questioning what it called a simplistic interpretation of medieval Indian history, the Parishad argued that the political alliances of the time cannot be viewed solely through a communal lens.It cited several historical examples to support its argument, saying, “Mahmud Lodi fought under the leadership of Maharana Sanga in the Battle of Khanwa; Hakim Khan Sur commanded a contingent of Maharana Pratap’s army at Haldighati; Farid Khan, who later became Sher Shah Suri, traditionally associated with military service under Raja Raisal Shekhawat in his early career in power; the First Battle of Panipat.“The statement added, “These episodes illustrate that medieval political alliances were shaped by statecraft, loyalty, and military strategy – not by the communal narratives imposed on them today.”Reiterating its stance, the organization concluded, “The Kshatriya Parishad rejects every attempt to weaponize Rajput history or appropriate Rajput identities for electoral or ideological purposes. Historical memory should not become a tool for communal mobilization. We call on political actors, filmmakers, and media organizations to engage with India’s past responsibly, to respect the complexity of history instead of exploiting Rajput heritage as fodder for divisive political debate.“
The teaser has already sparked criticism
This is not the first controversy surrounding ‘Chauhaan’. The teaser had previously drawn criticism for some of the dialogues and its depiction of the Kashmir conflict, with many social media users questioning its message.One of the most debated moments is a dialogue that suggests that pellet guns only cause “minimal damage.” The comment drew strong reactions, including actor Swara Bhasker, who criticized the film’s treatment of the issue.Sharing a news report about the impact of pellet guns, Swara wrote, “Is this what you want to glorify Bollywood?! Pellet guns are not ‘limited damage,’ they are a gross violation of human rights. And mainstream Kashmiris are not Pathans. Kuch toh research kar liya karo yaar. And look for Goebbels while you’re at it!” He accompanied the post with the caption, “The Vivek Agnihotri-fication of Bollywood.”Ajay Devgn’s voiceover in the teaser, “Tell the Pathans, Chauhaan is coming,” also became a flashpoint online. Many viewers have charged that the dialogue paints Muslims in a negative light while using the Rajput identity to shape a larger political narrative.
Release date:
Directed by Neeraj Yadav, ‘Chauhaan’ is backed by Jyoti Deshpande, Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma under the banners of Jio Studios and Color Yellow Productions. The action drama is set to hit theaters on October 1, 2027.