Ritesh Deshmukh's Ambitious Film 'Raja Shivaji' Hits Theatres with Strong Opening

The film 'Raja Shivaji', featuring Ritesh Deshmukh, has made a significant impact at the box office, grossing ₹11.35 crores on its opening day. Directed by Deshmukh, the film portrays the life of the Maratha king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. With positive reviews and praise from filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, the film's success is evident. The cast includes notable actors like Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan, adding to the film's appeal. Read on to explore more about its box office performance and the talented cast involved.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 2, 2026, 15:58 IST

Raja Shivaji Released in Theatres

The highly anticipated film 'Raja Shivaji', featuring Ritesh Deshmukh in the lead role, has officially premiered in cinemas. Released on May 1, the film showcases Deshmukh portraying the legendary Maratha king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film made an impressive debut at the domestic box office, earning ₹11.35 crores on its opening day. The Marathi version of the film has received even more favorable reviews. Meanwhile, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has also shared his praise for the film, which Deshmukh not only starred in but also wrote and directed.

Ram Gopal Varma Praises 'Raja Shivaji'

On social media, Ram Gopal Varma congratulated the film's producer, Genelia Deshmukh, who collaborated with Jyoti Deshpande on the project. He expressed, "Hey Genelia D'Souza, congratulations on your film Raja Shivaji making waves at the box office." In his post, Varma commended Deshmukh's acting and direction, stating that he is creating a sensation in theatres and remarked that he truly resembles a reincarnation of Shivaji Maharaj.

Box Office Collection of Raja Shivaji

According to industry tracker Sacnilk, 'Raja Shivaji' grossed ₹11.35 crores from 6,192 shows on its first day. The total Indian gross collection stands at ₹13.51 crores, with a net collection of ₹11.35 crores so far. This historical drama marks Ritesh Deshmukh's second directorial venture, following his debut with the Marathi film 'Ved' in 2022, which starred Genelia Deshmukh and Jiya Shankar.

Cast of Raja Shivaji

'Raja Shivaji' is based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. Ritesh Deshmukh not only plays the titular role but also directs the film. The cast includes Sanjay Dutt as Afzal Khan, with superstar Salman Khan making a cameo as Jiva Mahala. Abhishek Bachchan portrays Sambhaji Shahaji Bhosale, while Vidya Balan plays the role of Begum. Genelia Deshmukh appears as Saibai, Mahesh Manjrekar as Lakhujiraj Jadhav, and Boman Irani as Pir Baba. Other notable performances include Bhagyashree Patwardhan as Jijabai, Jitendra Joshi as Pant, Fardeen Khan as Shah Jahan, Sachin Khedekar as Shahaji Raje Bhosale, and Amole Gupte as Adil Shah.