For actor-filmmaker Riteish Deshmukh, bringing his passion project Raja Shivaji to life was anything but smooth. Spanning nearly a decade, the journey tested his patience and resolve, with multiple setbacks along the way. Yet, he now believes that the long wait ultimately worked in the film’s favour, allowing it to evolve into something far more ambitious.
Released on May 1, the historical epic traces the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, founder of the Maratha Empire. Riteish not only plays the lead role but has also co-written and directed the film. Initially announced in 2016, the project faced repeated delays, including a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic, before finally being revived in 2023 as what he calls a “final shot.”
“I feel relieved because this ten-year journey was pretty long. Many a times one gave up on it, but it came back to you. Had it started in 2016, this would not be the film… the vision changed, perspectives changed and then we just thought why not make it slightly bigger and more ambitious,” he shared.The film’s scale expanded significantly, thanks in part to Genelia D’Souza, who co-produced the project and also stars in it. Her idea to bring in talent from across industries helped shape the film into a grand Marathi-Hindi bilingual. The cast includes Sanjay Dutt as Afzal Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, and a cameo by Salman Khan.
Deshmukh emphasised the responsibility of portraying such an iconic figure, noting that the script was developed over two years using multiple historical texts. “This is not based on just one book… it is basically extractions of incidences from various history books… that maintains the dignity of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he said.Calling Shivaji Maharaj his childhood “superhero,” Riteish spoke about how deeply the ruler’s legacy is embedded in Maharashtrian culture and his own upbringing.
While the film has received praise for its performances and emotional depth, it has also faced some criticism, particularly regarding technical aspects. Addressing this, he said, “I take the criticism in my stride, and a big learning curve.”
Despite early discussions of a trilogy, Riteish clarified that there are no confirmed plans for a sequel yet. Meanwhile, Raja Shivaji has performed steadily at the box office, earning ₹48.60 crore nett across its Marathi and Hindi versions.