The blockbuster movie Chhaava was released on Netflix on April 11, 2025. Directed by Laxman Utekar, Chhaava is a historical drama that chronicles the story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and the valor of the Marathas against tyrant Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Actor Vicky Kaushal plays the iconic character of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Akshaye Khanna plays the evil Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, actress Diana Penty plays Zeenat-un-Nissa Begum, Aurangzeb's daughter, and more. Since you have landed on this page, True Scoop assumes that you have already watched the movie on Netflix and digging deep into Chhaava Real Story, Chhaava True Story, real-life Zeenat-un-Nissa Begum and what happened to Zeenat-un-Nissa Begum aka Nissa Begum? Below is all you need to know-
Chhaava True Story
Played by Vicky Kaushal in the movie Chhaava, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, ruling from 1681 to 1689. As per the information available, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj took forward his father's name and battled against the Mughal Empire.
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was born at Purandar fort to the Maratha Emperor Shivaji, and his first wife, Saibai. Saibai died when Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was only two years old. He was then raised by his paternal grandmother Jijabai. When Sambhaji was only 9 he was sent to live with Raja Jai Singh I of Amber as a political hostage to ensure compliance of the Treaty of Purandar that Shivaji had signed with the Mughals on 11 June 1665. He and his father Shivaji also attended the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's court at Agra on 12 May 1666. Aurangzeb put both of them under house arrest but they escaped on 22 July 1666. Ultimately, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was executed by Aurangzeb.
What happened to Aurangzeb's daughter Nissa Begum?
Notably, the movie mentions many historical characters and one of them is Nissa Begum daughter of Aurangzeb played by actress Diana Penty. As per information available in the public domain, Nissa Begum was imprisoned for 20 long years by her own father Aurangzeb. The tyrant Mughal Emperor imprisoned Nissa Begum after rumors floated that she was having an affair with Ali Khan. Ali Khan was reportedly the Governor of the city where Aurangzeb's daughter, Zeb-un-Nissa, was stationed.
Ultimately, Zeb-un-Nissa, died after seven days of illness in 1701 or 1702, while imprisoned in Shahjahanabad (Delhi), while her father Aurangzeb was away on a trip.