'Raja Shivaji': Riteish Deshmukh unveils FIRST LOOK as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; fans say, 'cant wait'

One of the most anticipated releases of 2026, ‘Raja Shivaji’ brings Riteish Deshmukh to the big screen as the valiant Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Months after announcing the ambitious pan-India project, filmed in both Marathi and Hindi, the makers marked Shiv Jayanti 2026 by unveiling the film’s first official poster. The striking image features Riteish embodying the legendary Maratha ruler with an intense and regal aura. Genelia Deshmukh amplified the moment on Instagram, sharing the poster along with an emotional Marathi message that reflected the global significance of Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy.Genelia unveiled the first poster of ‘Raja Shivaji’ in both English and Marathi. In her post, she spoke about how a true son of the soil took a pledge for Swarajya (self-rule) and rose as a young warrior who changed the course of history. Marking the occasion of Shiv Jayanti, which celebrates the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the makers revealed the first ok of the film ‘Raja Shivaji’.The actress described Chhatrapati Shivaji as "Our King, Our Pride, Our Legacy." She also assured that ‘Raja Shivaji’ will be a grand cinematic experience like never seen before. Notably, the film is set to release on May 1, 2026, coinciding with Maharashtra Day, also celebrated as Labour Day. Fans showered love on the poster as soon as Genelia shared it, flooding the comment section with excitement. One user wrote, “Cant wait.” Another said, “Looking forward to this blockbuster.” A person commented, “So Much Exited.” A movie lover added, “SOUTH CINEMA JHAL AATA AAPLA MARATHI CINEMA CHI BARI.”‘Raja Shivaji’ is directed by Riteish Deshmukh and has been shot in both Marathi and Hindi. The film will also be released in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. The movie features a strong cast, including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Fardeen Khan, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree Patwardhan, Jitendra Joshi, Salman Khan, Siddharth Shinde, Vidya Balan, Amol Gupte, Kapil Honrao, and Genelia Deshmukh in important roles.Reportedly, Salman Khan is making a special cameo in ‘Raja Shivaji’, where he will portray the role of Jiva Mahala, the brave warrior known for saving Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during the historic Battle of Pratapgarh against Afzal Khan. The film features music by the popular composer duo Ajay-Atul and cinematography by the renowned Santosh Sivan. Interestingly, ‘Raja Shivaji’ marks Sivan’s first venture into Marathi cinema.