Mahesh Manjrekar

Riteish Deshmukh's directorial and acting debut, 'Raja Shivaji', has achieved a historic opening at the box office, earning approximately Rs 11 crore on its release day. Ram Gopal Varma lauded the film's success and Deshmukh's powerful portrayal, calling him a 'reincarnated Shivaji Maharaj'.

In a surprising twist, Vidya Balan took over the role of Badi Begum from Tabu in Riteish Deshmukh's historical epic 'Raja Shivaji' due to Tabu's conflicting schedule. Previously, Tabu had turned down 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3', seeking a more invigorating role. The film, a bilingual masterpiece, features an impressive ensemble and made its debut on May 1, 2026. Read on to know more in detail.

Riteish Deshmukh received an overwhelming reception at a 'Raja Shivaji' screening, with a fan's touching gesture of reverence going viral. The film's powerful portrayal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has resonated deeply with audiences, contributing to its strong opening weekend box office collection of Rs 40.34 crore. The ensemble cast and Salman Khan's cameo further enhance the film's appeal.

Riteish Deshmukh's directorial debut, 'Raja Shivaji,' premiered today, May 1st, coinciding with Maharashtra Day. The historical drama features Deshmukh in the lead, supported by a star-studded cast including Sanjay Dutt and Genelia Deshmukh. A special screening saw the film's team and guests, with Rakhi Sawant sharing viral moments and her review.

Riteish Deshmukh's grand historical epic 'Raja Shivaji' made its dazzling debut yesterday, coinciding perfectly with Maharashtra Day celebrations on May 1, 2026. The premiere was a star-studded affair, attracting luminaries from Bollywood and popular faces from 'Bigg Boss Marathi 6', including the ever-bubbly Rakhi Sawant. Read the full article to know more in detail.

Riteish Deshmukh's directorial debut, 'Raja Shivaji', starring himself as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is poised for a record-breaking opening. Impressive advance bookings, especially for the Marathi version, suggest a strong debut. The film's success hinges on its Hindi and Telugu releases to cross the Rs 10 crore mark, aiming to surpass 'Sairat' and 'Timepass 2' for the biggest Marathi film opening.

Riteish Deshmukh's ambitious historical drama, 'Raja Shivaji', is captivating audiences in theatres. The film, based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's life, achieved a historic opening for its Marathi version. With a star-studded cast and a special appearance by Salman Khan, the movie has garnered significant box office collections, reaching Rs 23.65 crore net in its initial days despite facing competition. Read on to know more in detail.

Vicky Kaushal lauded Riteish Deshmukh's upcoming film 'Raja Shivaji', particularly its action sequences, calling them unprecedented in Marathi cinema. Having portrayed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Kaushal's praise for Deshmukh's portrayal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj carries significant weight. The historical drama, set to release on May 1st, 2026, promises an epic cinematic experience.

Speaking about the reception, Riteish Deshmukh said Raja Shivaji has struck an emotional chord with audiences, with families coming together to watch the historical drama based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He added that viewers are sharing their reactions online after watching the film. Riteish said organic word-of-mouth is the most rewarding phase for any filmmaker.

Dressed in an exquisite Maharashtrian saree, Rakhi Sawant made a striking appearance at the premiere of Riteish Deshmukh's epic film 'Raja Shivaji'. Her choice of attire was a tribute to the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This captivating period drama, which hits theaters today, May 1, 2026, delves into the life of the Maratha emperor and his relentless pursuit of Swarajya. Read on to know more in detail.

Riteish Deshmukh’s historical drama Raja Shivaji has taken a massive opening at the Indian box office, collecting Rs. 11.35 crore on Day 1. Following the impressive response, the actor-director shared a viral video on May 2, 2026, requesting fans to refrain from sharing video clips and spoilers online to preserve the theater experience. Featuring a star-studded cast including Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt, Raja Shivaji is being hailed for its emotional depth and grand scale.

Mumbai theatres are hosting unprecedented post-midnight screenings for 'Raja Shivaji' and 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' due to overwhelming advance demand. This unusual move highlights the immense pre-release buzz for both films, with exhibitors struggling to accommodate eager audiences. Both movies are set to make a significant impact on their release days. Read on to know more in detail.

Riteish Deshmukh's directorial debut, 'Raja Shivaji,' has shattered Marathi box office records, raking in a massive Rs 11 crore on its opening day. The historical drama achieved this feat with a remarkable Rs 8 crore from its Marathi version alone, surpassing previous benchmarks. Strong advance bookings and widespread occupancy across Maharashtra contributed to this historic launch.

Days before its theatrical release, Raja Shivaji has cleared a legal hurdle. The Bombay High Court on Thursday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought to stall the film over the omission of the honorific “Chhatrapati” from its title. With the court refusing to halt the film, Raja Shivaji is set to release as scheduled.

Riteish Deshmukh's historical drama 'Raja Shivaji' has achieved a record-breaking opening in Marathi, earning over Rs 15 crore in its first two days. The Hindi version also performed decently, pushing the combined India net collection to Rs 21.90 crore. The film is on track to reach Rs 30 crore by the end of its opening weekend.

Riteish Deshmukh's grand historical saga 'Raja Shivaji' has captured the limelight, with its Marathi edition topping box office earnings. The Hindi version is also turning heads, surpassing Rs 12.35 crore. Viewers have praised Deshmukh's compelling performance alongside a talented ensemble, marking the film as a remarkable addition to Indian cinema. Read on to know more in detail.

The historical spectacle 'Raja Shivaji,' starring Riteish Deshmukh, has taken the box office by storm, raking in over Rs 33 crore during its opening weekend. While there was a minor decline on Monday, the Marathi version has still amassed an impressive Rs 27.15 crore, pushing its overall earnings to Rs 39.50 crore. Read on to know more in detail.

Raja Shivaji, directed by and starring Riteish Deshmukh in the titular role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has opened in cinemas today with early Day 1 live tracking showing Rs. 1.59 crore India net across 1,265 shows, with final figures still to be reported. The grand historical epic which also marks Riteish Deshmukh's big-screen directorial debut features a powerhouse ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Boman Irani, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amole Gupte and Genelia Deshmukh. The film's pre-release 'Chhatrapati' anthem trended nationwide and was hailed as one of the most powerful pieces of music from an Indian historical in recent memory. Stay updated with all live Day 1 tracking, day-wise collections and the complete opening day box office story of Raja Shivaji.

Riteish Deshmukh's historical drama 'Raja Shivaji,' released May 1, 2026, is receiving widespread acclaim. Rakhi Sawant urged Salman Khan fans to watch the film, highlighting his cameo as Jiva Mahala and praising Deshmukh's direction and portrayal of Shivaji Maharaj. The movie opened strongly at the box office.

Amole Gupte, the creative mind behind 'Taare Zameen Par', took on the role of mentor to Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh's sons, Riaan and Rahyl, for their inaugural performance in 'Raja Shivaji'. With a playful spirit, Gupte nurtured their innate abilities, referring to them as 'diamonds in the rough'. Read on to know more in detail.

Sanjay Dutt has confirmed a sequel to his iconic 1999 film 'Vaastav' is in development. The actor revealed this at the launch event for 'Khalnayak Returns'. Dutt is actively working on 'Vaastav 2'. He also expressed a desire for another 'Munna Bhai' film. Filmmaker Subhash Ghai shared an anecdote about casting Dutt in 'Khalnayak'.

'Raja Shivaji', directed by and starring Riteish Deshmukh as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has crossed Rs. 12.21 crore India net on Day 2 of its theatrical run, driven by extraordinary audience response in the Marathi-speaking belt and the viral impact of Salman Khan's surprise cameo as loyal warrior Jiva Mahala. Made under a budget of approximately Rs. 100 crore, the film features Sanjay Dutt as Afzal Khan, Vidya Balan as Badi Begum, Abhishek Bachchan as Sambhaji Shahaji Maharaj, Bhagyashree as Jijabai, Fardeen Khan as Shah Jahan, Amole Gupte as Mohammed Adil Shah and Genelia Deshmukh as Saibai, with music by Ajay-Atul and cinematography by Santosh Sivan.

Raja Shivaji, starring Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh, releases on May 1. Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar’s Vedat Marathe Veer Daudale Saat, based on seven Maratha warriors, stalled due to financial issues despite starting in 2022. The film remains incomplete, though Raja Shivaji’s release has sparked speculation about a possible revival.

Actor Fardeen Khan got a chance to enjoy a fun father-daughter dance with his little princess Diani Isabella Khan.

Subhash Ghai praised Riteish Deshmukh’s ‘Raja Shivaji’, calling it passionate and full of nationalistic energy, and described its trailer as “so rocking.” He also highlighted industry support from Sanjay Dutt and Abhishek Bachchan. The film, based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, releases May 1, 2026, in multiple languages.

Riteish Deshmukh's period drama 'Raja Shivaji' is generating buzz with Salman Khan confirmed for a special appearance as loyal warrior Jeeva Mahala. The announcement, made during Bigg Boss Marathi, delighted fans and co-stars alike, highlighting their successful collaborations.

Anticipation for 'Raja Shivaji' is soaring as its release nears. Ajay Devgn, who played Shivaji's warrior Tanhaji, offered a powerful salute to Riteish Deshmukh's historical epic. The film's trailer drops April 20, promising a grand spectacle of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's life. A stellar cast from both Hindi and Marathi cinema is assembled for this May 1, 2026 release.

Riteish Deshmukh's Raja Shivaji trailer launched in Mumbai, featuring 10-year-old son Rahyl's debut as young Shivaji Maharaj. Genelia stars as Saibai; emotional family event with stellar cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan. Riteish thanks team; film releases May 1.

In a stunning announcement that has sent ripples through the entertainment world, Bollywood's quintessential 'Bhaijaan', Salman Khan, is set to take on a monumental role in Riteish Deshmukh's upcoming historical epic, 'Raja Shivaji'. The reveal sparked excitement during a live segment of 'Bigg Boss Marathi Season 6', leading fans to speculate wildly about him possibly embodying Jiva Mahala. Read on to know more in detail.

Fans are buzzing with excitement over the newly released trailer for Riteish Deshmukh’s 'Raja Shivaji,' which showcases a stunning blend of historical grandeur and emotional depth. The film, featuring acclaimed actors like Sanjay Dutt and Vidya Balan, is a tribute to the iconic Shivaji Maharaj, igniting a sense of cultural pride among viewers.