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Ajay Devgn’s ‘Chauhaan’ Faces Backlash; Kshatriya Parishad Alleges Misuse of Rajput Identity
Ajay Devgn's upcoming film Chauhaan has landed in controversy after Rajput organisation Kshatriya Parishad accused its makers of using the Rajput identity to fuel communal politics. The criticism comes days after the film's teaser was released, drawing mixed reactions over its portrayal of the Kashmir conflict and its depiction of pellet guns as causing "minimal damage."
The teaser, released three days ago, features Ajay Devgn's character preparing to confront a mob. One of its dialogues—"Tell Pathaans that Chauhan has come"—has sparked widespread debate on social media, with several users claiming it promotes religious polarisation.
Responding to the teaser, the Kshatriya Parishad issued a strongly worded statement urging filmmakers to treat India's history responsibly.
"Historical memory must not become a tool for communal mobilisation. We call upon political actors, filmmakers, and media organisations to engage with India's past responsibly, respecting historical complexity rather than exploiting Rajput heritage as bait for divisive political debate."
"Historical memory must not become a tool for communal mobilisation. We call upon political actors, filmmakers, and media organisations to engage with India's past responsibly, respecting historical complexity rather than exploiting Rajput heritage as bait for divisive political debate."
The organisation also criticised the filmmakers, accusing director Neeraj Yadav and actor Ajay Devgn of misusing the Chauhan clan name for political messaging.
According to the statement, they were appropriating "the Chauhan clan name for contemporary communal politics" and the Parishad said it rejects every attempt to weaponise Rajput history or appropriate Rajput identities for electoral or ideological purposes.
According to the statement, they were appropriating "the Chauhan clan name for contemporary communal politics" and the Parishad said it rejects every attempt to weaponise Rajput history or appropriate Rajput identities for electoral or ideological purposes.
It further stated:
"At a time when Rajput voices remain underrepresented in mainstream media and public discourse, invoking a Rajput clan name merely to provoke outrage, inflame caste and communal sentiments, or generate political spectacle is both irresponsible and disrespectful."
"At a time when Rajput voices remain underrepresented in mainstream media and public discourse, invoking a Rajput clan name merely to provoke outrage, inflame caste and communal sentiments, or generate political spectacle is both irresponsible and disrespectful."
The organisation also argued that Indian history cannot be viewed solely through the lens of communal conflict. Referring to several historical alliances between Rajputs and Afghan rulers, the Parishad said such examples challenge modern attempts to create religious binaries.
"The subcontinent's past cannot be reduced to simplistic communal binaries. There are numerous examples of Afghans and Rajputs fighting alongside one another: Mahmud Lodi fought under the leadership of Maharana Sanga at the Battle of Khanwa; Hakim Khan Sur commanded a contingent in the army of Maharana Pratap at Haldi ghati; Farid Khan, who later became Sher Shah Suri, is traditionally associated with military service under Raja Raisal Shekhawat in his early career; and Maharaja Vikramaditya Tomar laid down his life fighting alongside the Lodi forces in the First Battle of Panipat. These episodes illustrate that medieval political alliances were shaped by statecraft, loyalty, and military strategy- not by the communal narratives being imposed upon them today."
We strongly condemn the attempt by Neeraj Yadav and Ajay Devgn's upcoming film Chauhaan to appropriate the Chauhan clan name for contemporary communal politics.
— Kshatriya Parishad (@kshatriya_org) June 29, 2026
Rajput history is not a political prop. The legacy of the Chauhans belongs to Rajput history , not to electoral… pic.twitter.com/nDRRKoikv4
Apart from the Rajput organisation, the teaser has also attracted criticism from actor Swara Bhasker, who questioned the film's portrayal of pellet guns in Kashmir.
Sharing a news report about the youngest pellet gun victim in Kashmir, she wrote:
Sharing a news report about the youngest pellet gun victim in Kashmir, she wrote:
"Is this what you want to glorify Bollywood?? Pellet guns are not 'limited damage'. They are a gross human rights violation. And mainstream Kashmiris are not Pathaans. Kuch to research kar liya karo yaar."
She captioned her post, "Vivek Agnihotri-fication of Bollywood," referring to filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri's The Kashmir Files.
She captioned her post, "Vivek Agnihotri-fication of Bollywood," referring to filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri's The Kashmir Files.
Chauhan is backed by Jyoti Deshpande, Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma under the banners of Jio Studios and Color Yellow Productions. The film is slated to hit theatres on October 1.
