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Riteish Deshmukh on 'Raja Shivaji': A Humble Tribute to the Great Warrior

Actor Riteish Deshmukh has opened up about his upcoming directorial project, 'Raja Shivaji'. He describes the film as a humble tribute to the legendary warrior king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The historical action drama has completed shooting and is slated for a global release in May 2026. The production involved creating massive, authentic sets to bring the Maratha Empire's world to life.

Key Points: Riteish Deshmukh Calls Raja Shivaji Film a Humble Tribute

  • Riteish Deshmukh wrapped shooting for his directorial debut 'Raja Shivaji' on December 16
  • The historical drama is set for a worldwide multilingual release on May 1, 2026
  • Monumental sets were built to recreate 16th-century Maharashtra's grandeur
  • The film is produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh under Jio Studios
2 min read

Riteish Deshmukh on 'Raja Shivaji': Humble tribute to the great warrior

Riteish Deshmukh shares heartfelt details about his directorial debut 'Raja Shivaji', a tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, set for a 2026 release.

"Raja Shivaji, is a humble tribute to the great warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje from the entire team working on this film. - Riteish Deshmukh"

Mumbai, Dec 18

Actor Riteish Deshmukh has opened up about his upcoming film Raja Shivaji, calling it a humble tribute to the legendary warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He also said that he is “half way there”, but still a “long way to go.”

Riteish was responding to actor Suniel Shetty, who wished the actor on his 47th birthday.

Sharing a poster of the film, Suniel wrote on X, formerly called Twitter: “Happy happy birthday Riiitzzz...Something tells me this year is going to be really really special. Watching the heart and soul you’re pouring into Raja Shivaji has been truly inspiring. Feels like a blockbuster year written all over you - earned, honest, and deserved. Much love..always @Riteishd.”

Responding to Suniel, Riteish expressed gratitude to him for his constant support and blessings.

“Thank you my darling Anna, need all your wishes and blessings. Raja Shivaji, is a humble tribute to the great warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje form the entire team working on this film. Half way there long way to go. Love you loads @SunielVShetty,” he wrote.

It was on December 16, when Riteish has wrapped up the shooting of his upcoming directorial ‘Raja Shivaji’, which brings to life the extraordinary journey of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, one of India’s greatest and most revered kings.

This historical action drama is set for a worldwide multilingual release on May 1, 2026, bringing the enduring legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to audiences across the globe.

Monumental sets were erected and stood for over six months, crafted to reflect the scale, intensity, and grandeur of 16th century Maharashtra. Historic forts were extensively scanned, researched, and meticulously recreated down to the finest detail, ensuring an immersive and visually authentic experience that transports audiences into the world of the Maratha Empire.

The film is produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh under the banners of Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company, Shot over the last one year, Raja Shivaji was filmed across historic and scenic locations including Wai, Mahabaleshwar, Satara, Mumbai and several others.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So excited for this! It's heartwarming to see the support from Suniel Shetty as well. Making a historical film is a huge responsibility, especially about such an iconic figure. Hope they get the storytelling right and not just focus on action.
V
Vikram M
May 2026 is so far away! The wait will be tough. But if they are spending so much time and effort on sets and research, it should be worth it. Our history needs to be presented with this kind of authenticity on the big screen.
S
Sarah B
As someone who loves historical dramas, this sounds fascinating. The global multilingual release is a smart move. Shivaji Maharaj's story of leadership and strategy has lessons for the whole world, not just India.
R
Rohit P
Respect to Riteish for taking on this challenge. Directing a period film is no joke. My only humble request: please don't add unnecessary romantic subplots or modern dialogues that break the immersion. Stick to the history.
K
Karthik V
Shot in Wai and Mahabaleshwar! The visuals will be stunning for sure. Hoping the music and background score match the grandeur. This has the potential to be a landmark film for Indian cinema if done right. Fingers crossed!

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