Disha Pardeshi's Daring Underwater Scene in 'Raja Shivaji' Revealed!
In the newly released Marathi film 'Raja Shivaji', actress Disha Pardeshi faced the daunting task of filming an underwater death scene. Directed by Riteish Deshmukh, the film explores the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Disha shares her experiences of preparing for the role, including extensive underwater training and the challenges of shooting in difficult conditions. Her insights into working with Riteish highlight his supportive directing style, making the intense scenes more manageable. Dive into the details of her remarkable performance and the film's captivating narrative.
| May 6, 2026, 12:38 IST
Exploring the Depths of 'Raja Shivaji'
The newly released Marathi film, Raja Shivaji, directed by Riteish Deshmukh, has captivated audiences with its portrayal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's dedication to Swarajya, including the dramatic narrative involving Afzal Khan. Sanjay Dutt takes on the role of the film's antagonist, while the talented Disha Pardeshi plays one of Afzal Khan's wives. Her character faces a harrowing underwater scene that required her to stay submerged for an astonishing 12 hours. In an exclusive interview, Disha shared insights about filming the intense moment where Afzal confronts his begum, leading to her tragic fate.
Disha Pardeshi Discusses Her Underwater Experience
In her conversation, Disha recounted the challenges of filming the underwater death scene. Initially unaware of the scene's complexity, she was asked by the casting director if she could swim. Confidently, she assured them she could handle the underwater demands. “While we can easily depict a death scene, doing it underwater was a unique challenge I was excited to embrace. Normally, when someone is drowning, they try to swim to the surface. This time, I had to convincingly act as if I was drowning,” she explained.
Disha also highlighted the rigorous training she underwent for the underwater performance. “A dedicated team helped us perform without oxygen masks. We had a 12-hour shooting schedule and practiced extensively underwater. It was daunting, especially since it was raining heavily on the day of the shoot. Emerging from the water while it was pouring added to the challenge, but it was also exhilarating. I learned a lot during that scene,” she shared.
Disha Praises Riteish Deshmukh's Direction
Disha expressed her admiration for Riteish Deshmukh's approachable directing style, stating, “He was incredibly humble and provided excellent guidance. His direction allowed me to perform at my best. Riteish made me feel comfortable on set and never pushed me beyond my limits during the underwater scenes.” She recalled, “Before we began filming, Riteish asked if I could jump into a well from a height of 10 to 12 feet. He reassured me that body doubles were available if I felt uncomfortable. Having a supportive director made tackling such challenging scenes much easier. His trust in me boosted my confidence, and we relied solely on my performance without using doubles, VFX, or AI.”
Raja Shivaji premiered globally in Marathi, Hindi, and Telugu on May 1.