Riteish Deshmukh produced-acted and directorial Raja Shivaji,” the historical magnum opus has scripted history upon its release, setting new box office records for Marathi cinema. Produced by Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company, the film, which chronicled the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, emerged as the fastest Marathi-language production to cross the ₹50 crore mark in its first week.
The film opened with a phenomenal ₹11.35 crore to ₹12.40 crore on its first day, marking the highest-ever opening for a Marathi film, surpassing previous hits like Sairat and Ved.
By May 10, 2026, the film was rapidly approaching the ₹75 crore milestone after crossing ₹52 crore within just seven days, driven by massive audiences and immense positive word-of-mouth.
Released in Marathi and Hindi on Maharashtra Day, the film captured the spirit of regional pride and became a cultural phenomenon.”Pro Bono” Passion Project: Riteish Deshmukh revealed that many major stars in the ensemble cast, including Salman Khan (in a pivotal cameo) and Abhishek Bachchan, worked without remuneration, treating the project as a tribute rather than a commercial venture.
The film is noted for its high-scale production, deep research (over 3.5 years by Deshmukh), and its success in bringing the story of the founder of the Maratha Empire to a broad, modern audience.
News Edit KV Raman
