The makers of Raja Shivaji have officially unveiled the much-awaited trailer of the upcoming historical epic, offering audiences a powerful glimpse into the life, legacy, and leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Backed by Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company, the film is helmed, headlined, written, and produced by Riteish Deshmukh, who has described the project as a deeply personal dream years in the making.

Riteish Deshmukh gets emotional as trailer of Raja Shivaji drops: “For ten years, I have been trying to make Raja Shivaji”

The trailer traces the inspiring journey of a courageous young boy who rises to become one of India’s most revered warrior kings and the visionary founder of Hindavi Swarajya. Promising large-scale action, emotional storytelling, and rich world-building, Raja Shivaji aims to present lesser-known chapters of the iconic ruler’s life while highlighting his strategic brilliance and unmatched valour.

At the grand trailer launch event, several cast members and industry names were in attendance, including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Boman Irani, Bhagyashree, Amol Gupte, Jitendra Joshi, Jyoti Deshpande, Genelia Deshmukh, Riteish Deshmukh, and music composer duo Ajay-Atul.

Speaking emotionally about the film’s long journey, Riteish Deshmukh said, “When we speak of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, words fall short to explain the legend that he is. Whenever we express our respect, faith, and love for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, it comes purely from the heart. For ten years, I have been trying to make Raja Shivaji. When we finally began in 2023, it feels like even Maharaj is saying – now your time has come. Because dreams alone don’t make things happen. To bring them to life, you need support. Jio Studios and Jyoti Deshpande stood by us and showed that courage and I am extremely grateful to them. I truly believe that this dream we saw we have tried to honor it with sincerity. As a team, we present this film as a humble offering… at the feet of Maharaj.”

Jyoti Deshpande, President, Jio Studios, added, “Raja Shivaji is not just a film, it is a celebration of India’s spirit, identity, and rich history. At Jio Studios, our endeavour has always been to champion stories that are rooted in India yet resonate universally. The phenomenal success of the Dhurandhar duology reaffirmed that audiences are deeply connected to powerful, homegrown narratives told with conviction and scale. With Raja Shivaji, we continue that journey, bringing to life the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a towering symbol of courage, vision, and Hindavi Swarajya, whose larger-than-life legacy continues to inspire generations.”

She added, “We wanted to showcase the human story behind the legend as well as his strategic brilliance and valour. Riteish and his team have crafted a narrative that goes beyond the spectacle to explore the making of a leader, his values, and the forces that shaped him. Backed by authenticity, scale, a stellar ensemble cast and soul-stirring music, Raja Shivaji reflects our commitment to presenting Indian stories with both grandeur and heart to audiences across the world. This is not just a cinematic experience, but a tribute to the pride of India, bringing the pages of our history books alive for audiences across generations.”

Genelia Deshmukh, actor and producer from Mumbai Film Company, also shared, “I feel deeply emotional today and I am truly grateful to the entire team from production to design to every single person who came together to bring this vision alive. Everyone came in with so much positivity, belief, and love, and that’s what truly shaped this film into what it is today. More than just a film, Raja Shivaji is our heartfelt tribute to the legend his life, his legacy, and everything he stands for. It’s not just a project, it’s a responsibility and a blessing that we could bring this dream to life.”

Featuring an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Sachin Khedekar, Fardeen Khan, and others, Raja Shivaji is set for a worldwide theatrical release on May 1, 2026, in Marathi and Hindi.

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