It was a night of raw emotion and cinematic grandeur at the trailer launch of Raja Shivaji on Monday, April 20, 2026. Riteish Deshmukh, who both directs and stars as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the magnum opus, broke down in tears as he reflected on a decade-long journey to bring the historical epic to life.
Accompanied by his wife and producer Genelia Deshmukh, Riteish revealed that he first envisioned the project in 2016, but faced years of delays, including the COVID-19 pandemic, before the “timing felt right” in 2023.
The highlight of the event was the heartfelt camaraderie between the lead stars. Riteish shared an emotional tribute to his “big brother” Abhishek Bachchan and veteran actor Sanjay Dutt, thanking them for joining the cast without a moment’s hesitation. Abhishek, echoing the sentiment, stated that if Riteish asks for anything, “we all show up,” while Sanjay Dutt noted that their collaboration was a tribute to the long-standing bond between their late fathers, Sunil Dutt and Vilasrao Deshmukh. Sanjay Dutt is set to portray the formidable Afzal Khan in the film, promising a high-stakes face-off on the silver screen.
Riteish also credited Genelia as the backbone of the project, stating that while anyone can dream, having a partner who makes those dreams a reality is the true blessing. The film, shot simultaneously in Marathi and Hindi, features a powerhouse ensemble including Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, and Fardeen Khan. The trailer has already sparked significant buzz for its massive scale and emotional depth, positioning it as one of the most anticipated releases of the year.