Riteish Deshmukh steps behind the camera with his most ambitious cinematic vision yet — and the result is nothing short of a spectacle. Raja Shivaji brings the legendary story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to the big screen with emotional depth, strategic storytelling, and an all-star cast that makes every frame worth watching. Released on May 1, 2026, this bilingual Hindi-Marathi epic is a love letter to one of India’s greatest warrior kings — and a must-watch for anyone who believes in the power of purpose-driven cinema.
Raja Shivaji is a grand, emotionally rich historical epic that traces Shivaji Maharaj’s journey from birth to the slaying of Afzal Khan. Directed by Riteish Deshmukh with sincerity and scale, the film stands apart by focusing on the king’s strategy and spirit rather than brute battlefield action. With powerhouse performances from Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan, Bhagyashree, Abhishek Bachchan, and a scene-stealing cameo by Salman Khan, this is one of the finest historical dramas to come out of Indian cinema in recent years.
Language: Hindi & Marathi
Genre: Drama, Action, History
Rating: UA
Runtime: 3 hrs 15 mins
Release Date: May 1, 2026
Cast & Crew
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Riteish Deshmukh |
| Writers | Ajit Wadekar, Sandeep Patil |
| Dialogues | Prajakta Deshmukh |
| Music | Ajay-Atul |
| Cinematography | Santosh Sivan |
| Editing | Urvashi Saxena |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj | Riteish Deshmukh |
| Afzal Khan | Sanjay Dutt |
| Badi Begum | Vidya Balan |
| Jijabai | Bhagyashree Patwardhan |
| Sambhaji Shahaji Bhonsale | Abhishek Bachchan |
| Jeeva Mahala | Salman Khan |
| Saibai Bhosale | Genelia Deshmukh |
| Shahaji Raje Bhosale | Sachin Khedekar |
| Lakhuji Jadhav | Mahesh Manjrekar |
| Peer Baba | Boman Irani |
| Shah Jahan | Fardeen Khan |
| Adilshah | Amole Gupte |
| Pant | Jitendra Joshi |
| Young Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj | Rahyl Riteish Deshmukh |
Plot Summary
Raja Shivaji chronicles the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from his earliest years to one of the most pivotal moments in Maratha history — the slaying of Afzal Khan. Divided into eight chapters, the film takes a thoughtful approach to its subject, prioritizing the emotional milestones, strategic decisions, and ideological convictions that fuelled Shivaji Maharaj’s dream of Swarajya. Rather than leaning on the spectacle of large-scale battles, the film digs deeper — exploring what shaped the man behind the legend, making it a refreshingly intimate epic.
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Performances
The ensemble cast of Raja Shivaji is its greatest strength, and each actor delivers with conviction and grace.
Riteish Deshmukh as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is measured, dignified, and deeply sincere. He inhabits the role with the quiet authority the character demands, making you believe in every decision the king makes. As a director-actor, his restraint here is commendable.
Sanjay Dutt as the menacing Afzal Khan is an absolute show-stealer. His imposing presence and commanding delivery bring the villain to life in a way that feels genuinely threatening — a performance that will be remembered long after the credits roll.
Vidya Balan as Badi Begum matches Dutt beat for beat. She brings intelligence and nuance to a character that could easily have been one-dimensional, making every scene she occupies crackle with energy.
Bhagyashree Patwardhan as the iconic Jijabai is deeply moving. She portrays the strength and sacrifice of Shivaji’s mother with quiet intensity that will tug at the heartstrings of every viewer.
Abhishek Bachchan as Sambhaji Shahaji Bhonsale delivers a measured yet impactful performance that adds emotional heft to the narrative.
Salman Khan in his cameo as Jeeva Mahala is exactly what a cameo should be — brief, memorable, and scene-stealing. His appearance is guaranteed to bring the house down.
Genelia Deshmukh as Saibai Bhosale brings warmth and quiet strength to every scene she appears in, making her presence deeply felt despite limited screen time.
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Sachin Khedekar as Shahaji Raje Bhosale lends the film a dignified emotional anchor, portraying Shivaji’s father with the gravitas and sincerity the role demands.
Mahesh Manjrekar as Lakhuji Jadhav is effortlessly commanding, bringing the weight of experience to a pivotal supporting role.
Boman Irani as Peer Baba is quietly powerful, adding a layer of spiritual depth to the film’s emotional landscape in a role that lingers long after his scenes are over.
Fardeen Khan as Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan makes a striking impression in his cameo, carrying the regal bearing of the character with remarkable ease and confidence.
Sachin Khedekar as Shahaji Raje Bhosale is dignified and restrained, grounding the story’s emotional arc with understated brilliance.
Amole Gupte as Adilshah brings a controlled menace to his portrayal, making every appearance feel significant and purposeful.
Jitendra Joshi as Pant is reliable and nuanced as always, adding authenticity to the world of the film with his trademark naturalistic performance.
Young Rahyl Riteish Deshmukh as the young Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a revelation — charming, expressive, and entirely believable. His scenes carry enormous emotional weight and add a deeply personal touch to the film.
More Mayyur as Young Tanhaji Malusare makes a memorable impression in what is a brief but important role, hinting at the heroic legacy his character will go on to build.
Sunny Ghansani and Bilal Hossein round out the supporting ensemble with performances that are earnest and committed, adding texture and authenticity to the world Riteish has so carefully constructed. Every actor, no matter how small the role, appears to have understood the importance of the story they are telling — and it shows on screen.
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Technical Craft
Santosh Sivan’s cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking. Every frame is composed with a painter’s eye, lending the film the grandeur its story deserves. His work elevates even the quieter, dialogue-driven scenes into visual poetry.
Ajay-Atul’s music is the soul of the film. Their deeply rooted Marathi musical sensibility wraps around the narrative beautifully, with background score and songs that amplify the emotional beats of the story.
Urvashi Saxena’s editing deserves special praise. Juggling multiple storylines across eight chapters is no easy feat, yet the film flows with remarkable coherence. The transitions between timelines and incidents feel organic rather than jarring.
Prajakta Deshmukh’s dialogues are crisp, purposeful, and frequently powerful — the kind that will echo in the minds of audiences well after they’ve left the theatre.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- A refreshingly strategic, emotion-first approach to historical storytelling
- Outstanding ensemble cast with standout turns from Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan, and Bhagyashree
- Santosh Sivan’s masterful cinematography throughout
- Ajay-Atul’s evocative and rousing music
- Riteish’s confident, mature direction that avoids the clichés of the genre
- The chapter-based structure keeps the narrative engaging across its runtime
Weaknesses
- VFX quality is inconsistent, with some scenes looking noticeably unpolished
- Overuse of slow-motion shots in combat sequences becomes repetitive
- The film occasionally feels rushed given the scale of the story it is trying to tell
Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Raja Shivaji is a triumph — both as a cinematic experience and as a heartfelt homage to one of India’s most beloved historical icons. Riteish Deshmukh, the director, has created something truly special here: a film that respects its subject, challenges its audience, and celebrates the spirit of Swarajya with grace and grandeur. Minor technical hiccups aside, this is the kind of film that reminds you why historical epics belong on the big screen. Go watch it. Take your family. Take your friends. Experience Swarajya.
What is the age rating of Raja Shivaji?
Raja Shivaji is rated UA, meaning it is suitable for general audiences but parental guidance is advised for younger children due to some action and combat sequences.
Can we watch Raja Shivaji with kids?
Yes, Raja Shivaji can largely be enjoyed as a family film.
Is Raja Shivaji based on a true story?
Yes, Raja Shivaji is based on the real life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the legendary Maratha warrior king.
