Raja Shivaji, the ambitious historical drama starring Riteish Deshmukh as the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has hit theaters today, May 1, 2026, with a record start at the box office. Early estimates suggest the film is on track to earn Rs 10 crore on its opening day, making it one of the biggest debuts for a Marathi film. The movie, directed, written, produced, and headlined by Deshmukh, brings to life the extraordinary legacy of the Maratha warrior king who founded the Swarajya.
Riteish Deshmukh's Dream Project
Riteish Deshmukh, speaking at the trailer launch, said, 'A dream is very easy. What is there in a dream? It is easy to see, but to make it come true, we have to stand together. To make it happen, self-confidence is the key. I feel this dream, which I have seen, has come true. I, on behalf of the entire team, in front of God, would like to keep this film at the feet of Maharaj as an honest effort.'
Genelia Deshmukh, his wife and producer of the film, became emotional during the event as Riteish bared his heart. She turned away to hide tears when he spoke about his devotion to Shivaji Maharaj. Riteish added, 'Even if there are millions of films in this world, and even the best directors in this world, nobody can make a single film about Maharaj that will do complete justice to him. His name, his fame, the love people have for him is much more important than our actions. We can only make an honest effort.'
Cast and Crew Praise
Sanjay Dutt, who plays Afzal Khan in the film, praised Riteish's direction. 'Riteish is my younger brother, and we go back a long way with our fathers together. I really enjoyed working in the film. It was a pleasure to see Ritesh. He directed this film so well. He was so dedicated. Absolute pleasure. Thank you brother,' Dutt said, adding humorously, 'I am not like Afzal Khan.'
Abhishek Bachchan, making his Marathi film debut, recalled meeting Riteish 25 years ago in Latur. 'This is a dream he's harbored and worked on for several years. Riteish has arguably made the most ambitious Marathi film to date. I have no doubt about the kind of director that he is. He's going to do something that is going to become a cornerstone for Marathi cinema,' Bachchan said.
Bhagyashree, who plays a role in the film, shared a touching moment on set: 'I remember one scene. Like Jijabai used to feed Shivaji Raje, the director (Riteish) was so busy that it was late at night, and we had all eaten, but he was busy setting up the shots. So our producer (Genelia) was going behind him with a plate of roti and vegetables, asking him to eat one bite. So that's what love is.'
Music and Vision
The film's music, composed by the renowned duo Ajay-Atul, has already created a buzz with tracks like 'Chhatrapati' and 'Jai Shivrai'. Ajay-Atul shared their vision: 'We knew from the start this couldn't just be a 'big' song, it had to carry emotion, truth, and a sense of reverence. There's pride in every note, but also a responsibility to honor what it stands for. When you're working with a legacy like this, you surrender to it. If it gives people goosebumps, that's beautiful, but more than that, we hope it becomes something they feel deeply and remember.'
Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai praised the project, calling it a film made 'passionately and with full nationalistic energies,' and described the trailer as 'so rocking.'
Ensemble Cast and Release
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Boman Irani, Amol Gupte, and Genelia Deshmukh. 'Raja Shivaji' is released worldwide in Marathi, Hindi, and Telugu.
Tragic Incident During Shooting
In a tragic incident, a 26-year-old dancer named Saurabh Sharma, part of the choreography team, drowned in the Krishna river in Satara district after completing a song shoot. The incident occurred at Sangam Mahuli, where the shooting was underway. Sharma went to wash his hands and then entered the river for a swim but was swept away by strong currents. His body was found two days later.
Box Office Performance
Early reports indicate a strong opening, with the film aiming for a Rs 10 crore debut. The film's grand scale, emotional narrative, and powerful performances are expected to resonate with audiences across generations. Stay tuned for more updates on 'Raja Shivaji' as it continues its theatrical run.
