Nagpur was gripped by chaos as violent clashes broke out following rumours that the Islamic religious book had been desecrated during a protest. The protest, led by Bajrang Dal members, called for the removal of the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, an act that ignited widespread outrage across the city. The violence led to the vandalism of several houses and vehicles in areas like Hansapuri, with clashes intensifying in Chitnis Park and Mahal. Security forces were pelted with stones, and in response, authorities had to use tear gas to regain control of the situation.

In the aftermath of the unrest, Maharashtra's Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, addressed the state assembly, offering his views on the cause of the violence. Surprisingly, Fadnavis pointed to the recently released Vicky Kaushal-starring film Chhaava as a possible spark for the public anger.

He stated, "The movie has ignited people's anger against Aurangzeb, but Maharashtra must remain peaceful." This remark has triggered significant debate, with many questioning whether the film could indeed be blamed for the violent riots in Nagpur.

Chhaava is a historical drama that has been under intense scrutiny since its release. It portrays the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and certain scenes have been criticized by some politicians and historians for allegedly fictionalizing the brutalities under Aurangzeb’s rule. The movie has faced backlash from various quarters, with critics claiming that it exaggerates the historical suffering of Hindus during Aurangzeb’s reign.