The roar in cinema halls across Maharashtra reached a fever pitch this Friday as Salman Khan made a high-octane surprise appearance in Riteish Deshmukh’s historical epic, ‘Raja Shivaji’. Released on May 1, 2026, the film which chronicles the early life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is already making headlines for its massive box office opening, but it is “Bhai’s” cameo that is currently dominating the digital landscape.
The “Warrior” Look That Set Social Media Ablaze
Clips and screenshots from the film began circulating on social media platforms like X and Instagram within hours of the first show. Salman Khan portrays the legendary warrior Jiva Mahala, the trusted lieutenant of Shivaji Maharaj famous for the phrase “Hota Jiva Mhanun Vachla Shiva” (Because of Jiva, Shiva survived). Dressed in a traditional orange turban and kurta, wielding a sword with his signature intensity, Salman’s dramatic entry has been described by fans as a “goosebumps moment.”
One viral post on X summed up the sentiment, stating, “Cameo aisa ki puri movie ek taraf, aur Bhai ki entry ek taraf” (The entire film on one side, and Bhai’s entry on the other). Long-time fans even drew comparisons to his look in the 2010 film Veer, noting that the actor has aged like fine wine in the warrior avatar.
A Role Born of Friendship
The inclusion of the superstar in this Marathi-Hindi bilingual project wasn’t originally part of the script. Director and lead actor Riteish Deshmukh recently shared that the cameo was a result of Salman’s own initiative. During a casual New Year’s interaction, Salman reportedly insisted on being part of the film, telling Riteish, “You can’t make the film without me, I have to be in it.” Moved by the gesture, Riteish and the writers created the pivotal role of Jiva Mahala specifically for him, further cementing the deep bond between the two actors.
Star-Studded Swarajya Quest
Produced by Genelia Deshmukh and Jyoti Deshpande (Jio Studios), Raja Shivaji features an ensemble cast that includes Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, and Boman Irani. While the film is being praised for its technical brilliance and historical accuracy, the chemistry between Riteish’s Shivaji Maharaj and Salman’s Jiva Mahala during the Pratapgad sequence is being hailed as the film’s emotional and action-packed highlight.