Suggested Topics :
In an upcoming THR Talks episode, the actor shares the nerve-wracking experience of riding alongside 100 horses for the first time while filming for 'Chhaava'
The trailer of Laxman Utekar's Chhaava (2025) features a shot of Vicky Kaushal galloping on a horse, with a sword in his hand. In an upcoming episode of THR Talks with The Hollywood Reporter India, the actor recalled that particular day of shooting, as a hundred horses were running behind him.
Kaushal admitted to being afraid of riding horses initially, having fallen off them a couple of times. He revealed, “I had been learning to ride a horse for a few films [by that time] which did not get made, and then finally, Chhaava came along. I was training before the shot, but I still hadn't reached the galloping stage…”
Read more | Vicky Kaushal's 'Chhaava' Dance Sequence Deleted From Film Amid Outrage
With a laugh, he added, “We were on set when the day came, and I had to gallop the horse… with 100 horses behind me. So if anything went wrong, the horses weren’t going to stop!”
Director Utekar made himself clear that he wasn’t going to cheat or compromise on filming the horse riding scenes. “He said I could take as much time as I needed and we could start the shoot once I was very confident,” said Kaushal. “Six months later I had to give the go ahead.. how much more could I make him wait?”
The day arrived, and Kaushal found himself behind a gate, sitting on his horse Azaad, with the other horses behind them. “I was genuinely talking to him. With my hand on his head, I said ‘Azaad, we’re been together for six months, buddy, and today’s the day. We’re going to do something for the first time together — we’re going to gallop. You run as fast as you want and I’m going to make sure I stay on top of you.’”
Read more | 'Chhaava' Trailer: Vicky Kaushal's Maratha Roar Clashes With Akshaye Khanna's Aurangzeb In This Historical Epic
The actor admitted to chanting a small prayer also. “It was a long patch and the camera was on a car, following me. We kept going, and then, I crossed the car and said, "Azaad, I love you!” Kaushal added that it was on that day he truly fell in love with horse riding.
Stay tuned for the full conversation on February 10, only on The Hollywood Reporter India.