Riteish Deshmukh's Raja Shivaji Faces Controversy Amid Spiritual Guru's Comments

The film Raja Shivaji, directed by Riteish Deshmukh, is set to release on May 1, 2026, but has recently sparked controversy due to comments made by spiritual guru Bageshwar Baba regarding Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Riteish has indirectly criticized the guru for distorting history, leading to an apology from Bageshwar Baba. The film features a star-studded cast and is generating significant buzz ahead of its release. Read on for more details about the film and the ongoing controversy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 27, 2026, 00:17 IST

Controversy Surrounds Raja Shivaji

The upcoming film Raja Shivaji, directed by Riteish Deshmukh, is scheduled for release on May 1, 2026. Recently, the film has stirred controversy following remarks made by spiritual leader Bageshwar Baba, also known as Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, regarding Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during a speech in Nagpur. Riteish responded indirectly, accusing him of misrepresenting historical facts. In light of the backlash, Bageshwar Baba has since issued an apology, admitting that his comments were misinterpreted.

Bageshwar Baba's Apology

In a statement to the media, Bageshwar Baba criticized Riteish Deshmukh for his comments, which he felt were made without directly naming him. He expressed, “My intention was to highlight the deep respect that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had for saints and Goddess Tuljabhavani. Unfortunately, my words were taken out of context, leading to a distorted interpretation. I sincerely apologize if my statements have upset anyone.”

For context, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri had claimed at the Nagpur event that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, weary of warfare, had approached Samarth Ramdas Swami to relinquish his crown, placing it at the saint's feet and requesting him to govern the kingdom.

This statement did not sit well with many politicians. Riteish Deshmukh criticized the comments, labeling them as 'distorted nonsense' about the Maratha king and dismissed it as a 'futile attempt' that would ultimately be forgotten.

Details About Raja Shivaji

Returning to Raja Shivaji, the film features Riteish Deshmukh portraying Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The star-studded cast includes Abhishek Bachchan, Genelia, Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan, Bhagyashree, Sachin Khedekar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Jitendra Joshi, Amole Gupte, Boman Irani, and Kapil Honrao, among others. Produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh under Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company, the film will be available in Marathi, Hindi, and Telugu. With a runtime of 3 hours and 15 minutes, the music is composed by Ajay-Atul, and the songs and promotional material have been generating significant buzz online. Stay tuned for further updates!