Riteish Deshmukh’s ‘Raja Shivaji’s’ Cast, Roles, Story And Fee, All About The Rs. 100 Crore Film

Raja Shivaji is an upcoming historical action drama co-written and directed by Riteish Deshmukh. Inspired by the life of the Maratha Empire founder, Shivaji, the film is said to explore the brave tales of the iron-spined king and his battle for Swaraaj. The trailer for the film was released on April 20, 2026, and fans are already thrilled to glimpse the epic cinematic experience rooted in history, pride, and legacy that the makers have promised.

Raja Shivaji will be released on May 1, 2026, two years after its official announcement on February 19, 2024. The film tells the story of the great Maratha warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and features an ensemble cast that plays pivotal roles in the historical drama. So, as fans wait for the film’s release, let’s take a look at what we know about it, its cast, and how much they’re being paid.

What is Raja Shivaji about?

As the name itself suggests, Raja Shivaji (2026) is an Indian historical action drama film based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film is directed by Riteish Deshmukh, who will also play the lead role. The film is being produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh under the banner of Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company. The film focuses on the journey of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his battle for poorn swaraj, aka complete independence. The film is said to highlight his vision, leadership, and the establishment of swaraj.

According to reports, the principal photography of Raja Shivaji began in February 2024, with filming taking place in Mumbai, Satara, Wai, Mahabaleshwar, and across the Western Ghats. The film is being produced simultaneously in Marathi and Hindi, opening it up to a larger audience across the country. Designed as a large-scale cinematic project, Raja Shivaji focuses on grand visuals, powerful storytelling, and historical authenticity.

Meet the cast of Raja Shivaji

Raja Shivaji not only offers a solid storyline but also features an impeccable cast that brings the iconic characters to life. Starting with the film’s director, Ritieish Deshmukh himself. The actor will be essaying the role of ‘Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’. Abhishek Bachchan will be seen in the role of ‘Sambhaji Shahaji Bhosle’, the well-respected elder brother of ‘Shivaji’. Boman Irani will also be seen in the film, essaying the role of a 102-year-old, ‘Peer Baba’. Fans will also get to see Jitendra Joshi essay the role of ‘Pant’, a high-ranking minister or counsellor within the Maratha administration.

However, that is not all: Raja Shivaji will also feature Sachin Khedekar as ‘Shahaji Raje Bhosale’, the revered father of ‘Shivaji’ and ‘Sambhaji’. Mahesh Manjrekar will join the cast as ‘Lakhuji Jadhav’, a prominent nobleman and maternal grandfather of ‘Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’. Genelia Deshmukh, like in real life, would play the role of Riteish Deshmukh aka ‘Shivaji Maharaj’s’ first wife and queen consort, ‘Saibai’. The film will also bring back Vidya Balan, following her performance in the 2024 horror-comedy film, Bhool Bhulaiya 3. She will essay the role of ‘Badi Begum’, the wife of ‘Adilshah’ and a significant political figure.

Amole Gupte will essay the role of Sultan of Bijapur, ‘Adilshah’. Whereas Sanjay Dutt will once again return as the primary antagonist, portraying the role of ‘Afzal Khan’. He will be the powerful general of the ‘Bijapur Sultanate’. Bhagyashree will appear in the influential role of ‘Jijabai’, the revered mother of ‘Shivaji Maharaj’. Last but not least, Raja Shivaji will feature Fardeen Khan in the role of Mughal Emperor, ‘Shah Jahan’.

How much are the stars charging for their role in Raja Shivaji?

Keeping the scale and the cast in mind, questions regarding the actors’ remuneration have also been among the most frequently asked. With Riteish Deshmukh in the lead, the film was also directed by him, making it one of his most ambitious projects. However, fans are curious about how much he and the others are being paid for their roles in the film. Well, according to reports, Riteish Deshmukh will be taking home a massive cheque of Rs. 15-18 crore for his role as ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’. On the other hand, Sanjay Dutt is said to charge between Rs. 8-10 crore, and Abhishek Bachchan is said to be paid between Rs. 6-8 crore.

On the other hand, Mahesh Manjrekar will be paid Rs. 2-3 crore, Fardeen Khan will be paid Rs. 2-3 crore, and Genelia Deshmukh, Amole Gupte, and Bhagyashree will be paid Rs. 1-2 crore for their respective roles. Jitendra Joshi will take home between Rs. 80 lakh – Rs. 1.5 crore, while other cast members are said to receive between Rs. 20-80 lakh. According to reports, Raja Shivaji was made on a massive budget, estimated at around Rs. 100 crore, making it one of the biggest Marathi films in terms of scale and production value.

What are your thoughts on the cast and their fee for Raja Shivaji? Let us know.

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