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Riteish Deshmukh’s Raja Shivaji is all set to have a theatrical release on May 1, ending the wait for lakhs of fans. Also starring Salman Khan in a cameo appearance, Raja Shivaji boasts of mega star cast including Genelia Deshmukh as Saibai, Sanjay Dutt as Afzal Khan, Abhishek Bachchan as Sambhaji Shahaji Bhosale, Mahesh Manjrekar as Lakhuji Jadhav, Sachin Khedekar as Dadoji Kondadeo, Bhagyashree as Jijabai, Fardeen Khan as Mohammad Adil Shah, among others.

With a great storyline and even greater actors, fans are rushing to book tickets for Raja Shivaji. The film has recorded a great advance booking and is expected to earn ₹6-7 crore net in the Marathi version, making it the biggest Marathi opening ever. The Hindi version is expected to mint ₹2-3 crore net.

Raja Shivaji is based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, one of Maharashtra’s most revered historical figures. Riteish, who has already given many hit films in Marathi, has a strong hold over the audience. Raja Shivaji is poised for a strong opening in Marathi and is likely to open at ₹ 6–7 crore net in its Marathi version, potentially marking the biggest opening for a Marathi film.

In Hindi, the film is expected to do well because of the presence of Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan and is expected to earn ₹2-3 crore net.

Mumbai Film Company

Inclusive of all languages, the Riteish Deshmukh starrer targets ₹8-10 crore net at the Indian box office on day 1. With positive word of mouth, the film is likely to score on the higher end of the predicted range, or even slightly above ₹10 crore net.

Salman Khan himself wanted to be a part of Raja Shivaji

In a recent interaction, Riteish Deshmukh revealed that Salman Khan himself came on board for the film. He said, "I didn't go to him for this film. We were together on New Year's. He asked when I was starting to shoot the movie. I said, 'It's starting this month.' He said, 'Which role am I playing?'"

When Riteish shared that he hadn't thought of Salman for the film, Salman's instant response was, "No, no, no... you can't make the film without me. I have to be in it."

"That sense of warmth and belonging—that emotion... I was thinking I hadn't really thought it through yet," Riteish added.

Raja Shivaji is a cinematic dramatization of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's life, the founder of Maratha Empire.

Lead and social image credits: Mumbai Film Company