Riteish Deshmukh Faces Backlash Over 'Raja Shivaji' Trailer's Historical Accuracy
Actor-filmmaker Riteish Deshmukh, who has taken on multiple roles as writer, director, producer, and lead actor in the upcoming historical drama 'Raja Shivaji', recently found himself embroiled in controversy following the trailer launch. The ambitious film centered on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has generated significant buzz but also sparked criticism online, particularly regarding a scene featuring Sanjay Dutt and the iconic Wagh Nakh weapon.
Online Criticism Over Historical Depiction
An X (formerly Twitter) user raised concerns about the film's historical accuracy, questioning a specific moment in the trailer. The user wrote, "Did Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj show the 'Wagh Nakh' to Afzal Khan? Wagh Nakh came out only after Afzal attacked Maharaj. Why is @Riteishd manipulating the glorious history of Maharashtra?"
The user further elaborated, "The trailer of Riteish Deshmukh's film shows Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj openly displaying the Wagh Nakh to Afzal Khan before the attack. It is historical fact that 'Wagh Nakh' was concealed and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used it only after attack by Afzal."
Expressing strong disapproval, the post continued, "WHY IS @RITEISHD MANIPULATING & INSULTING CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ'S & MAHARASHTRA'S HISTORY, LEGACY & PRIDE???"
Riteish Deshmukh's Diplomatic Response
Addressing the criticism directly, Riteish Deshmukh responded politely on social media, urging viewers to watch 'Raja Shivaji' before drawing conclusions. He wrote, "Respected Sir, pls do watch the film on 1st May.. the answer to your question is there in the movie. I hope you enjoy the film with your friends and family. Jai Shivrai."
The exchange didn't end there, as the user replied, "So the truth is 'inside the film'? 'Watch the film for answers' is fine for fiction, not history. When depicting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the trailer itself should answer questions, not raise them. Interesting strategy: Market Doubt, Sell Clarification."
Defense from Supporters and Film Details
Meanwhile, several users came to Riteish Deshmukh's defense online. One commenter suggested, "I think the scene is after Afzhal was stabbed." Another wrote, "It's a movie take it as a movie, if you like go and see if you don't, don't go. It's simple. We have CBFC etc bodies to take care of it." A third supporter added, "Pehle dekh toh lo bhai... Itna toh usne research kari hi hogi."
'Raja Shivaji' is produced by Genelia D'Souza and Jyoti Deshpande and features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amole Gupte, and Genelia. The film is slated for a theatrical release on May 1 in both Marathi and Hindi versions, promising a grand cinematic experience about the legendary Maratha warrior king.
