Riteish Deshmukh unveils 1st look of Raja Shivaji, release date

Riteish Deshmukhis set to lead and direct his upcoming film, 'Raja Shivaji.' On May 21, the team revealed the film’s first look along with its release date. The movie features a stellar cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, and Amole Gupte.

Additionally,Genelia Deshmukh, who is co-producing the film through the Mumbai Film Company, will also appear among the star-studded ensemble.Motion Poster Depicts Powerful ImageryThe motion poster of 'Raja Shivaji' features the powerful figure of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj standing amidst a battlefield scarred by conflict, holding a sword firmly. Flames blaze around him while the bright orange Maratha flag waves prominently above, evoking the spirit of a hard-won victory.

Interestingly, the poster hides Shivaji’s face in a creative manner. The movie is set to release on Maharashtra Day, May 1, 2026.

Riteish Deshmukh as Young Shivaji BhonsaleRiteish will portray the young Shivaji Bhonsale, a fearless leader who challenged mighty empires to create the Maratha kingdom and pioneered the concept of ‘Swarajya’ during one of the most tumultuous periods in India’s history.Other Cinematic Adaptations of Shivaji MaharajAudiences can look forward to another retelling of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s remarkable journey with Sandeep Singh’s upcoming historical epic, 'The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,' starring Rishab Shetty. The film is currently being made and is expected to hit theaters in 2027. Meanwhile, 'Chhaava,' featuring Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj—the brave son of Shivaji Maharaj—has become the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 to date.