Raja Shivaji: Riteish Deshmukh's Epic Biopic Set to Make Waves This Weekend!
Excitement Builds for Raja Shivaji's Release
This weekend marks the highly anticipated release of Raja Shivaji, starring Riteish Deshmukh in the lead role. The historical drama has already garnered impressive advance ticket sales, with around 20,000 tickets sold for its opening day by noon on April 29. PVR INOX has reported the bulk of these sales, approximately 15,000, while Cinepolis has contributed about 5,000 tickets. With just a few days left for advance bookings, ticket sales are expected to rise even further.
Interestingly, the film is witnessing strong advance bookings in regional chains throughout Maharashtra, reflecting a significant interest from the Marathi-speaking demographic. This enthusiasm indicates that Raja Shivaji is likely to have a strong box office debut, especially in its home state. Current projections suggest the film could achieve a double-digit opening, although it remains uncertain if it can rival the highest openers in Maharashtra's cinematic history.
Currently, the record for the highest opening in the region is held by Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which earned Rs. 22 crore, followed by Pushpa 2 with Rs. 18 crore and Chhaava at Rs. 17 crore. It's important to note that Dhurandhar: The Revenge benefited from elevated ticket prices, which significantly boosted its earnings.
Raja Shivaji is a biographical film that delves into the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja. In addition to his leading role, Riteish Deshmukh has also taken on the role of director for this ambitious project. The film features a star-studded cast, including Sanjay Dutt, Genelia Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan, Vidya Balan, Bhagyashree, Mahesh Manjrekar, and Amol Gupte, with a special guest appearance by Salman Khan.
Produced by Mumbai Film Company and Jio Studios, Raja Shivaji is being hailed as the largest film in Marathi cinema to date. The film is set to premiere not only in Marathi but also in Hindi and Telugu on Maharashtra Day, May 1, 2026, expanding its audience reach significantly.