Raja Shivaji (2026)

Raja Shivaji Review: A Historical Tribute with Bollywood Firepower Riteish Deshmukh’s dream project, Raja Shivaji , is finally in theaters. This isn't just any movie; it’s a Rs. 100 crore gamble and the biggest Marathi production ever. It tells the King's story in eight chapters, moving from his childhood through the famous showdown at Pratapgad. The Cast and the Surprise Cameos The star power here is actually wild for a regional film. Riteish Deshmukh takes the lead role, but he also cast his sons, Rahyl and Riaan, to play the younger versions of the King. The villains are just as big; Sanjay Dutt is Afzal Khan, and he looks terrifying. You also have Abhishek Bachchan as Sambhaji Shahaji Bhosale, Vidya Balan as Khadija Sultana, and Genelia Deshmukh as Saibai. Even Fardeen Khan shows up as Shah Jahan. But the theater went loudest for Salman Khan. He plays Jiva Mahala in a quick but vital cameo. When he saves the King and says,"Shivaji nahi; Shivaji Raje mhanaycha," it’s easily the most viral moment of the movie. The Look, the Sound, and the Budget You can see every bit of that Rs. 100 crore budget. Santosh Sivan handled the camera, so the forts look real and gritty, not like cheap CGI. The music is by Ajay-Atul, and their"Chhatrapati" anthem is already everywhere. Some people complained that the background score by John Stewart Eduri is a bit too quiet during the talking scenes, but the visual scale of the forts and the costumes really makes up for it. It feels like a grounded history movie, not a flashy superhero film. Which Version Should You Watch? There is a weird twist with the runtimes. The Marathi version is 195 minutes and 5 seconds long (that’s 3 hours and 15 minutes). It has extra details for the local audience. The Hindi version is shorter at 187 minutes and 5 seconds (3 hours and 7 minutes). Riteish personally cut 8 minutes out of the Hindi version to make it"snappier" for a general audience. Either way, it’s a long sit, so grab a large popcorn . Is it Actually Any Good? Early word is mostly 3-4 stars. The first half is a slow burn, it focuses a lot on land management and administration, which feels a bit like a history lesson and might bore some people. But the second half is where it gets good. The tension with Afzal Khan builds up perfectly, and the final 20 minutes at Pratapgad are pure adrenaline. It’s a very sincere tribute that cares more about facts than just mindless action.