Maharashtra Day could not have picked a better film to celebrate. Raja Shivaji — the most ambitious Marathi film in the industry’s history — opened in theatres today, May 1, 2026, and it has already scripted records before most audiences even bought their popcorn. Written and directed by Riteish Deshmukh, who also plays the titular Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the film has broken the all-time Marathi film advance booking record and is now eyeing a historic ₹10 crore debut across all languages on its opening day.
Here is everything you need to know — the review, the records, the reactions, and what to expect from the box office in the days ahead.
🔴 LIVE BOX OFFICE UPDATES — Day 1 (May 1, 2026)
Last updated: 12:45 PM IST
- Total advance booking (all languages, without block seats): ₹5.14 crore gross — biggest advance booking ever for a Marathi film, as confirmed by Sacnilk
- Marathi version advance alone: ₹4.25 crore gross (₹3.60 crore net) — a landmark figure surpassing all previous Marathi film records
- Tickets sold in advance: 2 lakh+ — surpassing the opening day advance booking of Sairat (2016), which remains the gold standard of Marathi cinema, as per Koimoi
- Hindi version advance: Approximately ₹1.50–2 crore net expected, with spot bookings and walk-ins still to be added throughout the day
- Expected Day 1 total (all languages): ₹8–10 crore net, with a real possibility of crossing ₹10 crore if morning and afternoon occupancy stays strong
- Competition: Holdovers Bhooth Bangla and Dhurandhar: The Revenge continue to dominate the multiplex ecosystem — but in Maharashtra, Raja Shivaji is clearly the dominant force on opening day
Refresh this page for updated collection figures as the day progresses.
What Is Raja Shivaji About? The Story Behind the Epic
Raja Shivaji is a historical action-drama chronicling the rise of young Shivaji Bhosale — his upbringing, his values, his strategic vision, and his eventual journey toward establishing Hindavi Swarajya (self-rule of the Indian people).
As described by IANS’s review via ProKerala, the film is told through a chapter-based narrative in a bilingual format (Marathi and Hindi). Crucially, this is not a battle epic. It is a portrait of a leader in formation — what made Shivaji Maharaj who he was, what ideas and influences shaped his thinking, and what kind of man becomes a king worth following across centuries.
The film focuses on his thoughts, his influences — particularly his mother Jijabai — and the forces of empire he chose to challenge rather than serve. It approaches its subject with what IANS describes as “quieter strength” — a deliberate restraint that places character above spectacle. If you are looking for wall-to-wall battle sequences, this film will surprise you. If you are looking for cinema that treats its historical subject as a fully dimensional human being, this may be one of the finest Marathi films ever made.
Raja Shivaji Movie Review: What Are Critics Saying?
The early critical consensus is enthusiastically positive — with nearly unanimous praise for Riteish Deshmukh’s direction, Santosh Sivan’s cinematography, and the film’s unexpected emotional depth.
Taran Adarsh (Bollywood Hungama) — ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
Renowned trade analyst Taran Adarsh rated the film 4.5 stars, describing it as “power-packed.” Praising Riteish Deshmukh’s directorial prowess, he termed the film a magnificent tribute to one of India’s greatest warrior kings, noting that Riteish has not only handled this sensitive and monumental subject with confidence but has also brought it to screen with absolute grandeur and authenticity. As reported by India TV News.
IANS (via ProKerala) — ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
IANS praised the film as “an epic of courage and valour every Indian must know.” The review highlighted Riteish’s triple role as actor-writer-director as a remarkable achievement, calling the film “more like a carefully written manuscript — measured, deliberate, and emotionally layered.” Particular praise was reserved for Vidya Balan as Badi Begam and Sanjay Dutt as Afzal Khan — the latter described as “deeply unsettling” in his quiet menace. Per ProKerala.
New Kerala — ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
New Kerala’s review called it a film that “stands as a lesson in leadership, resilience, and pride — one that deserves to be known and felt by every Indian.” It noted that Riteish’s approach — choosing the making of a warrior over the spectacle of his wars — gives the film “a quieter strength.”
Pinkvilla — Positive
Pinkvilla described the film as Riteish Deshmukh shouldering history “with sincerity” in a stirring tale of Swarajya — a headline that captures the film’s emotional register perfectly.
Overseas / UAE & Pakistan Audiences — Mixed
Not every viewer has been swept away. As reported by Filmibeat, a viral tweet from a viewer in the UAE and Pakistan gave the film 2.5 stars, calling it “a golden opportunity missed by Marathi Cinema to shine at a Pan-India level.” This is a minority view, but an honest one — the Hindi version’s subdued advance booking figures suggest that non-Marathi audiences may approach the film differently from its home market.
Who Plays What? Full Raja Shivaji Cast and Characters
Raja Shivaji features one of the most star-studded casts ever assembled for a Marathi film — both in principal roles and cameos that have already become major talking points:
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Riteish Deshmukh | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (dual role — young & adult) |
| Bhagyashree Patwardhan | Jijabai (Shivaji’s mother) |
| Sanjay Dutt | Afzal Khan |
| Vidya Balan | Badi Begam |
| Fardeen Khan | Shah Jahan |
| Abhishek Bachchan | Undisclosed role (major supporting) |
| Mahesh Manjrekar | Key supporting role |
| Sachin Khedekar | Key supporting role |
| Jitendra Joshi | Key supporting role |
| Amole Gupte | Key supporting role |
| Boman Irani | Supporting role |
| Genelia Deshmukh | Supporting role |
| Rahyl Deshmukh | Young Shivaji (Riteish & Genelia’s real son) |
| Salman Khan | Jeeva Mahala (special cameo — a major talking point) |
As confirmed by IMDb and India TV News, Salman Khan’s cameo as Jeeva Mahala has become one of the most discussed elements of the film on social media — a surprise appearance that the internet simply was not prepared for, per The Statesman.
One of the most heartwarming elements of the cast: Riteish and Genelia’s real son Rahyl Deshmukh plays the young Shivaji — a piece of real-life poetry that has resonated deeply with audiences. A father directing his own son to play the boy who became a king.
What Makes Riteish Deshmukh’s Direction Stand Out?
Riteish Deshmukh is not a first-time director. He previously helmed Ved (2022), which became one of the highest-grossing Marathi films of all time. But Raja Shivaji is a different order of ambition entirely.
What the reviews consistently highlight is his restraint — which is the most unexpected quality to find in a historical epic about one of India’s most celebrated warrior kings. Rather than filling every frame with battle sequences and grandeur, he chose to build his film from the inside out: from Shivaji Maharaj’s childhood, his relationship with his mother Jijabai, his intellectual and moral formation.
As IANS puts it, Riteish “reshapes the familiar historical biopic into something more reflective and immersive.” The chapter-based structure — unusual for Indian commercial cinema — gives the film the feel of a living historical document rather than a crowd-pleasing spectacle. When the action does arrive, India TV News reports that social media viewers have called it “authentic action and visual spectacle being witnessed for the very first time in the Marathi film industry.”
Who Else Made Raja Shivaji Possible? The Production Details
Director: Riteish Deshmukh Writers: Riteish Deshmukh, Ajit Wadekar, Sandeep Patil Producers: Genelia Deshmukh, Jyoti Deshpande (Mumbai Film Company & Jio Studios) Cinematography: Santosh Sivan — Academy Award-nominated DOP, known for Dil Se (1998), Asoka (2001), and The Terrorist (1998) Music: Ajay-Atul — the celebrated Maharashtrian duo behind Sairat, Agneepath (2012), and Tanhaji Runtime: 195 minutes (Marathi), 187 minutes (Hindi) Release: May 1, 2026 (Maharashtra Day) Languages: Marathi (primary), Hindi (dubbed)
The combination of Santosh Sivan’s lens and Ajay-Atul’s music is, on paper, close to perfect for this subject. Sivan’s cinematography — which the reviews describe as giving the film “grounded grandeur” with landscapes that feel authentic and action staged with clarity rather than chaos — may well be the most technically distinguished work in Marathi cinema’s history.
What Did Riteish Deshmukh Say About Genelia’s Role Behind the Scenes?
In what is becoming one of the most-shared quotes from the film’s promotional run, Riteish credited Genelia Deshmukh — his wife and the film’s producer — with being the reason he could pursue his creative vision without compromise.
He told MoneyControl: “As the producer, Genelia said, ‘You just worry about the film that you want to make. It’s my job to provide you with what you need for your vision.’ If there ever came a point where we couldn’t afford something, she would say, ‘I will try and manage,’ she never said ‘no’ to my vision. That is why we were able to achieve so much, even within our limited capacity. She wanted what is best for me and the film, and you need people like that.”
As reported by Filmibeat, that statement is simultaneously a love letter to a spouse and a lesson in creative collaboration that every filmmaker in India should read.
Does Raja Shivaji Have What It Takes to Cross ₹10 Crore on Day 1?
The numbers suggest yes — but with important caveats.
The Marathi-language film market has historically been Maharashtra-concentrated. Sairat (2016) remains the all-time benchmark with ₹110 crore lifetime collection, and *Riteish Deshmukh’s own Ved (2022) grossed ₹90 crore. Raja Shivaji has already surpassed both in advance booking metrics — which means it is starting from a position no Marathi film has ever been in.
However, as Sacnilk notes, the Hindi version faces “an underwhelming response” in terms of advance booking — with only ₹1.50–2 crore net expected from the Hindi belt. This limits the film’s all-India potential significantly in its first weekend, before word-of-mouth can spread beyond Maharashtra.
The ₹10 crore target on Day 1 is achievable — and the Maharashtra Day holiday ensures maximum footfall from the film’s core audience — but whether it crosses that mark will depend heavily on how strongly audiences show up beyond morning and afternoon shows.
Context: Bhooth Bangla and Dhurandhar: The Revenge remain strong holdovers. Raja Shivaji is not entering a clear field.
What Is the Significance of Releasing on Maharashtra Day?
May 1, Maharashtra Day, marks the formation of the State of Maharashtra in 1960 — carved from the former Bombay State following the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, which advocated for a separate Marathi-speaking state.
Releasing a film about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — the founder of the Maratha Empire and the most revered figure in Maharashtra’s historical consciousness — on this exact date is not a coincidence. It is a declaration of cultural pride and intent.
As IANS writes: “Releasing around Maharashtra Day, it feels like more than just a cinematic event — it comes across as a heartfelt cultural tribute.”
For Riteish Deshmukh — a Maharashtrian actor who has spent over two decades in Bollywood while remaining deeply connected to his cultural roots — this film is clearly the most personal statement of his career.
Raja Shivaji at a Glance: Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Film Title | Raja Shivaji |
| Director | Riteish Deshmukh |
| Producers | Genelia Deshmukh, Jyoti Deshpande (Jio Studios + Mumbai Film Company) |
| Writers | Riteish Deshmukh, Ajit Wadekar, Sandeep Patil |
| Lead Cast | Riteish Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Fardeen Khan, Bhagyashree, Salman Khan (cameo) |
| Music | Ajay-Atul |
| Cinematography | Santosh Sivan |
| Runtime | 195 min (Marathi) / 187 min (Hindi) |
| Release Date | May 1, 2026 (Maharashtra Day) |
| Genre | Historical Action Drama / Biographical |
| Languages | Marathi (primary), Hindi |
| Advance Booking | ₹5.14 crore gross — all-time Marathi record (Sacnilk) |
| Expected Day 1 | ₹8–10 crore net (all languages) |
| Critics Rating | 4.5/5 (IANS, Taran Adarsh, New Kerala) |
Sources: Sacnilk – Raja Shivaji Box Office Day 1 · Sacnilk – Raja Shivaji Full Page · India TV News – Advance Booking · India TV News – X Review · ProKerala – IANS Review · New Kerala – Review · Pinkvilla – Review · Filmibeat – Overseas Review · Koimoi – Advance Booking Record · The Statesman – Salman Khan Cameo Reactions · IMDb – Raja Shivaji · Bollywood Hungama – Box Office
