Excitement around the upcoming 2026 epic Raja Shivaji has soared after the makers unveiled the film’s first poster featuring Riteish Deshmukh in the powerful role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The poster was released on the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of the iconic Maratha ruler.
The film is envisioned as a grand tribute to the legendary warrior king who fought for Swarajya and shaped Indian history. Sharing the poster online, the team expressed pride in bringing this historic story to the big screen, while also appreciating Riteish Deshmukh for helming such an ambitious project.Raja Shivaji is set to release on May 1, 2026, coinciding with Maharashtra Day. The film will be released in multiple languages including Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, underlining its pan India appeal.
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Fardeen Khan, Sachin Khedekar, Jitendra Joshi, Vidya Balan, Amol Gupte, Kapil Honrao, and Genelia Deshmukh. Social media was flooded with reactions soon after the poster dropped, with fans expressing their excitement and calling it one of the biggest historical films in the making.
Music for the film will be composed by Ajay Atul, while celebrated cinematographer Santosh Sivan will handle the visuals, marking his first Marathi film. Industry buzz also suggests that Salman Khan may appear as Jiva Mahala, the brave warrior from the Battle of Pratapgarh, further amplifying anticipation around the project.
Genelia Deshmukh also shared the poster on her Instagram, describing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as “Our King, Our Pride, Our Legacy.” She called Raja Shivaji a grand cinematic experience unlike anything audiences have witnessed before.
With its powerful subject, grand scale, and star studded cast, Raja Shivaji is already shaping up to be one of the most significant historical releases of 2026.