Raja Shivaji (film)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj remains one of India's most revered historical figures, a visionary warrior king whose legacy continues to inspire millions. Now, a monumental film titled "Raja Shivaji" promises to bring his epic story to the silver screen, a project that has been a decade in the making. This is the fascinating and often challenging journey of a cinematic dream finally taking shape. The film "Raja Shivaji" has been a deeply personal and ambitious endeavor for actor-producer Riteish Deshmukh, evolving through several directorial changes and a significant expansion of its scope. Initially conceived as an unprecedented trilogy and one of Marathi cinema's most expensive productions, the project adapted to creative and external challenges, including a global pandemic. The movie boasts a star-studded ensemble cast, featuring prominent actors from both Marathi and Hindi cinema, all committed to bringing this pivotal historical narrative to life.
AI Summary
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj remains one of India's most revered historical figures, a visionary warrior king whose legacy continues to inspire millions. Now, a monumental film titled "Raja Shivaji" promises to bring his epic story to the silver screen, a project that has been a decade in the making. This is the fascinating and often challenging journey of a cinematic dream finally taking shape.
- The film "Raja Shivaji" has been a deeply personal and ambitious endeavor for actor-producer Riteish Deshmukh, evolving through several directorial changes and a significant expansion of its scope.
- Initially conceived as an unprecedented trilogy and one of Marathi cinema's most expensive productions, the project adapted to creative and external challenges, including a global pandemic.
- The movie boasts a star-studded ensemble cast, featuring prominent actors from both Marathi and Hindi cinema, all committed to bringing this pivotal historical narrative to life.
A King's Tale: The Journey of Raja Shivaji
The idea for a grand cinematic tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj began stirring in 2015. Actor-producer Riteish Deshmukh, a passionate advocate for Marathi cinema, envisioned a film that wasn't just entertainment, but a profound responsibility — a sentiment his wife, Genelia Deshmukh, echoed when confirming the project on Twitter.
Early Visions and Creative Shifts
Riteish officially announced the film, then titled "Chhatrapati Shivaji," with Ravi Jadhav set to direct. Jadhav's vision had captivated Deshmukh, and together they began shaping the narrative. Over the next few years, multiple writers contributed to screenplay drafts, and preliminary visual tests were even completed.
However, like many ambitious projects, the path wasn't entirely smooth. Due to personal circumstances and unforeseen delays, Ravi Jadhav eventually withdrew from the film. He later clarified there were no creative disagreements, simply a shift in personal commitments that led him to step back.
Expanding Scope and Ambition
By 2016, the project's scale grew, with reports suggesting even Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's early interest. Riteish Deshmukh revealed in 2017 that the screenplay was complete, hinting at a staggering budget exceeding ₹200 crore — potentially making it one of the most expensive Marathi films ever produced.
Deshmukh dedicated himself to meticulous research, immersing himself in historical texts like 'Vedh Mahamanawacha' and 'Shree Raja Shivchatrapati.' He also contemplated a Hindi-Marathi bilingual release to reach a wider audience, describing the film as a "labour of love and a lifelong dream."
The Trilogy That Almost Was
A significant turning point came in 2020 on Shiv Jayanti, Shivaji's birth anniversary. The project was re-announced as an epic trilogy, with acclaimed director Nagraj Manjule — known for films like 'Fandry' — at the helm. This ambitious plan aimed to trace different phases of Shivaji's life.
The proposed trilogy would comprise three distinct films: 'Shivaji' for his early years, 'Raja Shivaji' focusing on the Maratha Empire's establishment, and 'Chhatrapati Shivaji' detailing his wider political influence. Renowned music duo Ajay-Atul were tapped to compose the score for this pan-Indian vision.
However, the global COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench into these grand plans, delaying production by nearly two years. Subsequently, Nagraj Manjule, while clarifying the film wasn't shelved, exited the project to pursue other commitments.
Riteish Steps into the Director's Chair
On Shiv Jayanti 2024, after years of development and directorial changes, Riteish Deshmukh made a momentous announcement: he would direct the film himself. He unveiled the first official poster, now titled 'Raja Shivaji,' signaling a new chapter for the much-anticipated project.
To bring his vision to life, Deshmukh brought on board the legendary cinematographer Santosh Sivan, renowned for his visually stunning work in Indian cinema. This collaboration marked Sivan's exciting debut in the Marathi film industry.
A Stellar Ensemble Cast
With Riteish Deshmukh confirmed to portray Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the casting announcements began to roll out, revealing an impressive lineup of talent. Reports in early 2025 indicated that Abhishek Bachchan and Fardeen Khan would join the cast as powerful Mughal rulers.
Later, the casting of veteran actress Bhagyashree as Shivaji Maharaj's mother, Jijabai, was officially confirmed. The ensemble grew even stronger with Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Jitendra Joshi, Amole Gupte, and Genelia Deshmukh also taking on key roles, with Sanjay Dutt stepping in to portray the formidable Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Further additions to the cast included Marathi television actor Kapil Honrao, and acclaimed actress Vidya Balan in an undisclosed role — a testament to the film's growing stature. Sadly, Supreme Court lawyer Siddharth Shinde, who had a brief role, passed away before the film's release, a fact shared by Riteish Deshmukh in a heartfelt social media tribute.
Salman Khan's Powerful Cameo
One of the most exciting casting revelations in late 2025 was Salman Khan's cameo as Jeeva Mahala. Historically, Jeeva Mahala was a fiercely loyal warrior famous for saving Shivaji Maharaj's life during an attack by Sayyad Banda, a lieutenant of Afzal Khan. Khan had previously made special appearances in Marathi films like 'Lai Bhaari' and 'Ved'.
His cameo involved intense close-up scenes, with action choreographed by Parvez Shaikh. Despite a busy schedule, Khan dedicated two days to filming his portions in a Mumbai studio, completing his shoot by mid-November.
Bringing History to Life: Filming Begins
Principal photography for 'Raja Shivaji' officially began in February 2025, a significant milestone after years of development. The initial schedule focused on Shivaji Maharaj's early life, recreating a magnificent Shivneri Fort set at Mumbai's Film City.
The second schedule commenced in early April, covering pivotal moments such as Shivaji Maharaj's meeting with his wife Rani Saibai, his historic coronation ceremony at Raigad Fort, and a major battle sequence. Filming continued until mid-April, moving across various historical landscapes.
During this period, a tragic incident occurred when Saurabh Sharma, a 26-year-old dancer from the choreography team, drowned in the Krishna River at Sangam Mahuli after completing a song sequence. His body was recovered two days later, casting a somber note on the production.
The Mumbai schedule resumed in October 2025 at Film City, where expansive and meticulously detailed fort sets were constructed. These impressive structures remained in place for over six months, a testament to the film's commitment to historical accuracy and grand scale.
Filming also took the crew across the breathtaking Sahyadri mountain ranges, further immersing the production in the authentic landscapes of Shivaji's legacy. By November 2025, the film entered its final phase, with Salman Khan completing his cameo and Sanjay Dutt's portions as Aurangzeb being filmed in December.
After approximately 100 days of intensive shooting across locations like Mahabaleshwar, Wai, Satara, and Mumbai, principal photography officially concluded on December 16, 2025, marking the successful culmination of a monumental effort.
Anticipated Release and Marketing Buzz
Produced by Genelia Deshmukh and Jyoti Deshpande, 'Raja Shivaji' is scheduled for a grand theatrical release on May 1, 2026, coinciding with Maharashtra Day — a fitting tribute to the state's iconic hero. The film will be released in Marathi and Hindi, with a Telugu-dubbed version to extend its reach.
The marketing campaign kicked off with the release of the film's first motion poster and release date in May 2025. In February 2026, Riteish Deshmukh unveiled his compelling first-look poster as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, captivating audiences and building immense anticipation for this long-awaited historical epic. A teaser later premiered in theaters and on social media in late March 2026, offering a glimpse into the grandeur to come.
Article
Raja Shivaji (film)
Raja Shivaji (transl. King Shivaji) is an upcoming Indian historical action drama film co-written and directed by Riteish Deshmukh, based on the life of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. The film is produced by Genelia Deshmukh and Jyoti Deshpande. It features an ensemble cast led by Riteish Deshmukh in the title role, alongside Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amole Gupte, and Genelia Deshmukh.
The film was officially announced on 19 February 2024. Principal photography began the same month, with filming taking place in Mumbai, Satara, Wai, Mahabaleshwar, and across the Western Ghats. Produced simultaneously in Marathi and Hindi, it is scheduled for a theatrical release on 1 May 2026.
Production
Development
Raja Shivaji is the fourth Marathi production of Genelia Deshmukh with her husband Riteish Deshmukh after Lai Bhaari (2014), Mauli (2018), and Ved (2022).
Reports of a film based on Shivaji Maharaj, to be produced by Riteish Deshmukh, first emerged in 2015. On 20 August 2015, Genelia Deshmukh confirmed the project through Twitter, stating that the film was not merely a cinematic venture but a responsibility. Later that year, in December 2015, Riteish Deshmukh officially announced that Mumbai Film Company’s "Chhatrapati Shivaji" would be directed by Ravi Jadhav. According to Jadhav, the project originated from an idea he conceived between 2014–2015, envisioning Deshmukh as Shivaji Maharaj. The two subsequently began developing the film, with Deshmukh backing the project as both actor and producer under Mumbai Film Company. Over the next few years, multiple writers—including Tejas Palve, Vishwas Patil and Kshitij Patwardhan—worked on successive drafts of the screenplay, and a look test and preliminary poster design were also completed during this phase. However, the project did not move forward as initially planned. Jadhav later stated that personal circumstances and delays led to his withdrawal from the film, clarifying that there was no disagreement between him and Deshmukh.
In September 2016, reports suggested that Salman Khan had agreed to be part of the Marathi biopic, starring Riteish Deshmukh in the titular role. In May 2017, Deshmukh stated that the screenplay had been completed and that the film could become one of the most expensive projects in Marathi cinema, with a budget reportedly exceeding ₹200 crore. By November 2017, Deshmukh confirmed his active involvement in the scripting process and stated that he had been extensively reading historical texts such as Vedh Mahamanawacha, Shree Raja Shivchatrapati, and Shivcharitra. He also indicated that the film might be produced as a Hindi–Marathi bilingual and would move into pre-production after revisions to the first draft of the screenplay, with filming planned the following year. He described the Shivaji Maharaj's biopic as "labour of love and a lifelong dream" and one of his most ambitious productions, following earlier projects such as Balak-Palak (2013), Yellow (2014), Lai Bhaari (2014), and Faster Fene (2017), noting that working within the constraints of regional cinema encouraged a strong focus on content.
On 19 February 2020, coinciding with the 390th Shiv Jayanti, a trilogy based on life of Shivaji Maharaj announced, with Nagraj Manjule set to direct. Riteish stated that he had wanted to work with Manjule, having been impressed by the filmmaker’s debut film Fandry, and noted that Manjule himself was keen on making a film on Shivaji Maharaj. The first film in the trilogy was planned as a pan-Indian release in 2021, with music composed by Ajay-Atul. The makers planned the trilogy as three films tracing different phases of Shivaji's life- Shivaji, centred on his early years; Raja Shivaji, focusing on the establishment of the Maratha Empire; and Chhatrapati Shivaji, covering the period of his wider political and military influence across India.
In March 2022, Manjule stated that the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted the project's schedule, delaying production by nearly two years, though he clarified that the film had not been shelved. Subsequently, Manjule exited the project following Jio Studios’ announcement of its production slate, which included Khashaba, to be directed by Manjule himself.
On 19 February 2024, Riteish Deshmukh officially confirmed that he would direct the film himself and unveiled the first poster, announcing the title as Raja Shivaji. Santosh Sivan was signed on as the film's cinematographer, marking his debut in Marathi cinema.
Casting
Riteish Deshmukh was confirmed to portray Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the titular role. In February 2025, ETimes reported that Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan and Sanjay Dutt had accepted offers to join the film, with Bachchan and Khan cast as Mughal rulers. In April 2025, Bhagyashree was reported to have been cast as Shivaji Maharaj's mother, a development that was later officially confirmed by the makers through a poster unveiling the principal cast. The same announcement confirmed Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Jitendra Joshi, Amole Gupte, and Genelia Deshmukh in key roles. Sanjay Dutt was subsequently reported to be portraying the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
It was also reported that Marathi television actor Kapil Honrao had joined the film; he later confirmed his participation through an Instagram story, revealing that he had been cast by Rohan Mapuskar. In June 2025, reports stated that Vidya Balan had also joined the cast in an undisclosed role. A month later, she confirmed during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that she had completed her shooting portions. Supreme Court lawyer Siddharth Shinde was reported to have played a brief role in the film, which was later revealed by Riteish Deshmukh following his death in September 2025 through a social media post sharing photographs from the sets.
In early November 2025, media reports suggested that Salman Khan would make a cameo appearance as Jeeva Mahala, a loyal warrior of Shivaji. Khan had earlier appeared in Marathi films such as Lai Bhaari (2014) and Ved (2022). Jeeva Mahala is historically known for protecting Shivaji Maharaj during the attack by Sayyad Banda, a lieutenant of Afzal Khan. Reportedly, Khan's cameo includes a few intense close-up scenes, with the film's action designed by Parvez Shaikh. According to Pinkvilla, Khan allotted two days for the cameo shoot between 8 and 14 November 2025, amidst his commitments to other projects, and completed filming by 12 November.
Filming
Principal photography for the film began in February 2025. Filming initially covered Shivaji Maharaj's early years, with a Shivneri Fort set specially constructed at Film City in Mumbai. The second schedule commenced in early April 2025 and covered several key phases of Shivaji Maharaj's life. Scenes filmed during this leg included his meeting with his wife, Rani Saibai, his coronation ceremony at Raigad Fort, and a major battle sequence. The schedule continued until mid-April. During production in April 2025, a 26-year-old dancer, Saurabh Sharma, who was part of the film's choreography team, drowned in the Krishna River at Sangam Mahuli in Satara district after completing the shoot for a song sequence. His body was recovered two days later, and the incident occurred while filming was underway in the region.
The Mumbai schedule began in October 2025, at Film City, Goregaon, where a massive sets that represented parts of a fort was built for the shoot. These sets remained in place for over six months. Several key forts were scanned, closely studied, and recreated with meticulous attention to detail. By late October filming had taken place across the Sahyadri mountain ranges. Filming moved into its final phase in November 2025. Khan completed filming his cameo portions during this period at a suburban studio in Mumbai. Dutt's portions, in which he portrays the film's primary antagonist, were postponed and subsequently filmed in December 2025, marking the completion of his schedule. Filming concluded on 16 December 2025. The film was shot over a period of approximately 100 days across locations including Mahabaleshwar, Wai, Satara, and Mumbai.
Marketing
Raja Shivaji (film)
On 21 May 2025, Riteish Deshmukh released film's first motion poster along with the film's release date. Later, on 19 February 2026, he reavealed the first-look poster featuring him as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film's teaser was showcased during screenings of Dhurandhar: The Revenge and later released on social media on 31 March 2026.
Release
Raja Shivaji (film)
Raja Shivaji is scheduled for a theatrical release on 1 May 2026, coinciding with Maharashtra Day, in Marathi and Hindi, with a dubbed version in Telugu.