Raja Shivaji: A Historical Epic Celebrating Maratha Valor

Raja Shivaji, a recent Marathi film, has made waves at the box office, surpassing Rs 100 crore. Starring Riteish Deshmukh and Bhagyashree, the film delves into the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his mother, Rajmata Jijabai. Bhagyashree shares her unique perspective on portraying a historical figure and her royal heritage. With a talented ensemble cast and a release timed with Maharashtra Day, the film hints at a sequel following its thrilling climax. Explore the rich narrative and cinematic achievements of Raja Shivaji.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 24, 2026, 10:33 IST

Overview of Raja Shivaji

The recent Marathi film Raja Shivaji, which has crossed the impressive milestone of Rs 100 crore, stars Riteish Deshmukh in the lead role. The narrative centers around the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, highlighting the pivotal role of Rajmata Jijabai. In this film, Bhagyashree portrays the fierce mother of the Maratha king. In a recent interview with Zoom, she shared her thoughts on taking on the role of Riteish's mother, despite their age difference of just ten years. She emphasized that accepting this role was essential, given its significance in Maharashtra's history.

Bhagyashree's Perspective on Her Role

Bhagyashree discusses her casting

In her conversation with Zoom, Bhagyashree expressed, “When you have the opportunity to portray a character steeped in stories you've heard since childhood, there's no way to refuse. Jijau was indeed a young mother. Santosh Sivan, the esteemed cinematographer, even reached out to compliment me on how youthful I appeared, despite the camera work aimed at making me look older. That’s a compliment I cherish, especially coming from such a talented artist.”

Bhagyashree's Royal Heritage

Her connection to Shivaji's legacy

Bhagyashree, hailing from the Patwardhan royal lineage of Sangli, Maharashtra, shared her early exposure to the tales of Shivaji Maharaj. She recalled, “The stories of Shivaji Maharaj were part of our upbringing, likely even before we heard about Goldilocks or Hansel and Gretel. While children built sandcastles, we crafted Shivaji's forts with mud and clay.”

Cast and Release Details of Raja Shivaji

About the film's ensemble

The film Raja Shivaji features a stellar cast, including Sanjay Dutt as Afzal Khan, Abhishek Bachchan as Sambhaji Shahaji Maharaj, Sachin Khedekar as Shahaji Raje Bhosale, Vidya Balan as Badi Begum, Fardeen Khan as Shah Jahan, Jitendra Joshi as Pant, Amol Gupte as Adilshah, and Genelia Deshmukh as Sai Bai. Released on May 1, coinciding with Maharashtra Day and International Labour Day, the film has garnered over Rs 111 crore at the global box office. The climax showcases the Maratha ruler defeating Afzal Khan, hinting at a potential sequel.

Riteish not only starred in the film but also took on the roles of director and co-producer alongside Genelia Deshmukh under their production banner, Mumbai Film Company.