Maharashtra reverberates with festivities every February 19, marking Shiv Jayanti—the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This year, the celebrations gained a cinematic twist as leading ladies Bhagyashree and Vidya Balan unveiled the first look of ‘Raja Shivaji’, Ritesh Deshmukh’s passion project, via Instagram.
Their evocative message resonated deeply: from a flame defying obscurity to a son’s vow forging Swarajya’s bedrock. On this pious occasion, they hailed the film by Jio Studios and Mumbai Films Company as a majestic cinematic revival of their king’s story, under Ritesh’s visionary direction. Slated for May 1 theaters, it’s poised to captivate with its multi-language appeal.
Ritesh embodies the young Shivaji Bhonsle, navigating trials toward self-governance, supported by a dream team: Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amol Gupta, and Genelia Deshmukh. Bhagyashree’s involvement adds emotional layers, promising authenticity in every frame.
As a pan-India release on May 1, 2026, in Marathi, Hindi, and beyond, ‘Raja Shivaji’ stirs unprecedented hype. Industry insiders predict it could blend spectacle with substance, drawing parallels to past hits while carving its niche. For Ritesh, this dual role marks a bold evolution from comedy to historical gravitas. Audiences await a film that doesn’t just recount history but reignites the fire of national pride.