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India’s Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company have planted their flag on Maharashtra Day 2026, revealing a global rollout for historical action epic “Raja Shivaji” on May 1 of that year.
The film, helmed by Riteish Deshmukh (who also stars in the titular role), will simultaneously launch in the Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam languages, positioning the story of one of India’s most celebrated warriors for both local and international audiences.
“Raja Shivaji” chronicles the rise of young Shivaji Bhonsale, who challenged the might of established empires to found the Maratha kingdom and lay the groundwork for “Swarajya” (self-rule) during a turbulent period of Indian history.
The cast brings together heavyweight talent spanning both the Hindi and Marathi-language film industries, with Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, and Amole Gupte joining the ensemble. Genelia Deshmukh, who also serves as producer under the Mumbai Film Company banner, rounds out the star-studded cast.
Behind the camera, the production has celebrated music directors Ajay–Atul handling the score and veteran cinematographer Santosh Sivan making his Marathi cinema debut. Principal photography is currently underway across locations in Mumbai and Wai, Maharashtra.
“‘Raja Shivaji’ is more than just a film — it’s a celebration of Swarajya and what that means to every Indian,” said Jyoti Deshpande, president of Jio Studios. “This vision could only be brought to life by someone who holds the story close to his heart, and Riteish, along with Genelia, has done just that with passion and purpose. Our goal is to bring the awe-inspiring life of Shivaji Maharaj, one of the greatest heroes to be born on the Indian soil, from India to the world. Backed by an ensemble of some of the finest talents from across industries, this film is one of the most ambitious ventures we’ve undertaken.”
Shivaji (1630-1680), who hailed from the Hindu religion, founded the Maratha empire when most of India was under the rule of Muslim monarchs, winning his territories using a mixture of military moves and strategic nous. At a time when the Moghul emperor Aurangzeb was persecuting Hindus, the community rallied by Shivaji, who was crowned as Chhatrapati (monarch). During India’s independence movement, Shivaji was held in high esteem as a Hindu nationalist hero, a position he enjoys to this day.
Deshmukh, who debuted as a director and also starred in 2022 blockbuster “Ved,” said, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a historical figure — he is an emotion that lives in the hearts of millions. To be able to tell a part of his extraordinary story is both an honor and a great responsibility.”
The popularity of Shivaji can be measured by the fact that the stories of him and his associates have been told in India more than 60 times across film and television, beginning with “Sinhagad” (1923). Sandeep Singh‘s upcoming historical drama “The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” starring Rishab Shetty as Shivaji, is also underway and due a 2027 release. “Chhaava,” starring Vicky Kaushal as the legendary Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Shivaji’s son, is India’s biggest hit of 2025 so far.
The strategic Maharashtra Day release date holds particular significance, as the holiday commemorates the formation of the state where Shivaji’s legacy remains profoundly influential.
Producer Genelia Deshmukh described the production as “a labor of love — a journey shaped by years of thought, research, and reverence,” underscoring their commitment to honoring the historical figure “who continues to inspire generations.”
The film is being jointly produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh.
English (US) ·