Sachin Khedekar

Riteish Deshmukh celebrates rave reviews for Raja Shivaji (out May 1), uniting families across generations. Fans promote organically, bringing history alive for kids. It smashed records with Rs 23.9cr opening weekend. Stars: Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan and more.

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 historical epic, Raja Shivaji, has achieved a strong opening, earning Rs 33 crore in its first three days and securing the most screens in Maharashtra. Remarkably, many prominent actors, including Salman Khan and Abhishek Bachchan, contributed to the film without charging a fee, driven by their respect for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's legacy.

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's directorial 'Raja Shivaji' has achieved a significant box office triumph, crossing Rs 50 crore globally. The Marathi film, celebrating Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has also secured a spot in the top 5 highest-grossing Marathi films ever. Despite a slight weekday dip, the movie's strong performance has fueled calls for tax exemption in Maharashtra to boost accessibility.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Riteish Deshmukh's historical drama 'Raja Shivaji' is experiencing a strong box office run, particularly its Marathi version. The film, released on May 1, 2026, has garnered over Rs 30.5 crore in its first five days, with the Marathi version outperforming its Hindi counterpart. Despite a slight dip on its first Tuesday, the film continues to draw audiences.

Riteish Deshmukh's grand historical epic 'Raja Shivaji' is making waves at the box office despite receiving a mix of reviews from critics. The film, which premiered on May 1, 2026, was uniquely crafted in both Marathi and Hindi, with the Marathi edition smashing records. Meanwhile, the Hindi counterpart still managed an impressive Rs 3.35 crore at the box office. Read on to know more in detail.

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.

Riteish Deshmukh's grand cinematic venture, 'Raja Shivaji', is enchanting viewers with its vivid depiction of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Initially met with skepticism regarding Deshmukh's portrayal, audiences are now praising his believable performance. The film, available in both Marathi and Hindi, is making waves at the box office, with the Hindi release amassing over Rs 11 crore in its debut weekend.

Riteish Deshmukh's labor of love, 'Raja Shivaji,' has struck a chord with film enthusiasts, portraying the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film’s Marathi iteration has stormed the box office, while its Hindi counterpart is also seeing success. Despite competition from Akshay Kumar's 'Bhooth Bangla', and the Hollywood releases - 'Michael' and 'The Devil Wears Prada 2', the Riteish Deshmukh starrer is dominating the box office. Read on to know more.

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.

After successfully navigating the censor process, Riteish Deshmukh's historical drama 'Raja Shivaji' has been awarded a U/A 16+ rating. Spanning over three hours, the film underwent slight modifications, such as the removal of a scene depicting child violence. Additionally, the creators took time to clarify historical contexts and refine the film's title to ensure a seamless release on May 1.

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.

Historical drama 'Raja Shivaji' is set for a unique release on May 1, featuring distinct runtimes for its Marathi and Hindi versions. The Hindi version is 8 minutes shorter, a strategic decision to keep the narrative crisp for a wider audience. Advance bookings show strong demand, with Pune emerging as a top market.

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

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.

Riteish Deshmukh's directorial debut, 'Raja Shivaji', has premiered to strong reviews, earning a 4-star rating from trade analyst Taran Adarsh. The film is lauded as a grand cinematic tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, with Adarsh praising Deshmukh's direction and calling his performance career-best. The ensemble cast and Ajay-Atul's electrifying music are also highlighted as major strengths.

Riteish Deshmukh's historical epic 'Raja Shivaji' has finally arrived after a ten-year journey. The film chronicles the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Deshmukh stars in the lead role and also co-wrote and directed the ambitious project. The extended wait allowed for a bigger and better production, featuring a star-studded cast. The film has been well-received by audiences in Maharashtra.