'Chhaava', 'Tanhaji-The Unsung Warrior': Bollywood films that glorify Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's bravery

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the brave Maratha king, inspires Bollywood films that celebrate his courage and clever battles for Swarajya against Mughal rule. Movies like ‘Tanhaji’, ‘Chhaava’, ‘Sarsenapati Hambirrao’, and others showcase his heroic feats, from cliff attacks to fort victories, in a thrilling and easy-to-watch style.

Directed by Om Raut, this blockbuster stars Ajay Devgn as Tanhaji Malusare and Saif Ali Khan as Mughal general Udaybhan Rathod, with Sharad Kelkar portraying Shivaji Maharaj. The film dramatizes the 1670 Battle of Sinhagad, where Shivaji's forces scale the cliffs at night to recapture Kondhana Fort from the Mughals. It glorifies Shivaji's tactical genius, inspiring leadership, and unbreakable resolve through massive VFX-driven war sequences and emotional Swarajya chants.

Laxman Utekar's epic stars Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (Shivaji's son), with Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb and Rashmika Mandanna in a key role. While centered on Sambhaji's resistance post-Shivaji's death, including daring raids like Burhanpur and a lion fight, it opens with Shivaji's legacy, portraying his foundational bravery against Mughals. The film earned over ₹900 crore globally, praised for intense battles and historical scale despite pacing critiques.

This Marathi historical action film (Hindi-dubbed for wider release) stars Shreyas Talpade as Sarsenapati Hambirrao Mohite, Shivaji's loyal commander. It focuses on Hambirrao's 1680 battles against Mughals, glorifying Shivaji's overarching bravery through flashbacks to his fighter tactics and empire-building. Directed by Swapna Cinelogues, it emphasizes Maratha valor and sacrifice for Swarajya.

A Marathi drama by Genelia Deshmukh, starring Chinmay Mandlekar as Shivaji Maharaj's spirit. The plot follows a modern Mumbai executive possessed by Shivaji's soul, who recounts real historical feats like the Afzal Khan assassination and fort conquests to inspire today's youth. It glorifies Shivaji's timeless bravery via dramatic recreations and motivational speeches, blending history with fantasy.

Riteish Deshmukh will portray Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his upcoming epic ‘Raja Shivaji’. He takes the lead role, joined by a powerhouse cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amole Gupte, and Genelia Deshmukh. The film is reportedly set for May 2026 release.