Riteish Deshmukh Addresses Controversy Over Viral Video

Riteish Deshmukh Faces Backlash on Social Media

Recently, Riteish Deshmukh found himself at the center of a social media uproar. A clip from the success party of his film Raja Shivaji circulated widely, showing him dancing to a Bollywood track while donning a T-shirt emblazoned with the image of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This sparked criticism online, with many deeming it disrespectful. Additionally, some viewers suggested that the actor appeared to be under the influence in the footage. In response, Riteish took to Instagram to clarify the situation and expressed his heartfelt apologies to anyone who felt offended.

Riteish Deshmukh Clarifies His Actions

Riteish Deshmukh Apologises, Rubbishes Alcohol Claims

In his Instagram stories, Riteish addressed the backlash directly. He explained that the success party was held to celebrate the positive audience reception of Raja Shivaji, and he had attended immediately after completing promotional activities for the film. He noted that he had not had the opportunity to change out of the T-shirt featuring Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's image, emphasizing that there was no intention to offend the Maratha king. Riteish described himself as a devoted Shivpremi, asserting that his respect for the legendary ruler is intrinsic to his identity. He felt it was essential to clarify the misunderstanding to his followers.

Regarding the allegations of alcohol consumption, Riteish firmly stated that he has never consumed alcohol and has no intention of doing so in the future. He dismissed the claims circulating on social media as completely false. Furthermore, he pointed out that the individual who recorded and shared the video was not an invited guest at the private event meant for the film's cast and crew. He concluded by reaffirming that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj represents faith, pride, and inspiration, and his loyalty to the great ruler remains unwavering.

Raja Shivaji Achieves Box Office Milestone

Raja Shivaji Proves To Be Big Box Office Success

Raja Shivaji has made history as the first Marathi film to surpass Rs 120 crore in global earnings. Released on May 1, 2026, coinciding with Maharashtra Day celebrations, the film had a production budget of around Rs 75 crore. Riteish took on multiple roles for this project, serving as director, lead actor, and co-producer alongside his wife, Genelia Deshmukh. The film features a remarkable cast, including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Amol Gupte, Jitendra Joshi, and Mahesh Manjrekar.