# Riteish Deshmukh’s Passion Project Is Here — And Maharashtra Is Ready to Erupt!

URL: https://technosports.co.in/riteish-deshmukhs-passion-project-is-here-and-maharashtra/  
Published: 2026-05-01  
Updated: 2026-05-01  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

Marathi cinema is having its moment, and **Raja Shivaji** is set to be its biggest statement yet. Written, directed by, and starring **Riteish Deshmukh**, this grand biographical epic on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has generated a pre-release buzz unlike anything Marathi cinema has seen before.

The film closed its final advance booking by selling over **65,000 tickets across PVR Inox and Cinepolis in Maharashtra** alone — with PVR Inox accounting for approximately 72% of those admissions. But here’s what’s truly exciting: the non-national chains told an even bigger story. Regional circuit **Miraj Cinemas sold ~12,000 tickets** and **MovieMax clocked ~10,000 tickets**, signalling ferocious demand in the interiors and mass centres of Maharashtra.

### Raja Shivaji Advance Booking — Key Numbers

| Detail | Data |
| --- | --- |
| National Chain Tickets Sold | 65,000+ |
| PVR Inox Share | ~72% |
| Miraj Cinemas Tickets | ~12,000 |
| MovieMax Tickets | ~10,000 |
| Projected Maharashtra Opening Day | ₹10 Crore+ |
| Hindi Belt Opening Estimate | ~₹3 Crore |
| Release Date | May 1, 2026 |
| Languages | Marathi, Hindi, Telugu |

### Why This Film Carries the Weight of an Entire Culture?

There’s something deeply personal about *Raja Shivaji* — for Riteish Deshmukh, for Marathi audiences, and for Indian cinema as a whole. Riteish didn’t just act in this film; he poured years of passion into directing it too. That kind of behind-the-camera commitment from a lead actor always translates into something felt on screen.

![Riteish Deshmukh](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/rhjajja.jpg)

The ensemble cast reads like a roll call of Indian cinema’s finest — **Sanjay Dutt, Genelia Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan, Vidya Balan, Bhagyashree, Mahesh Manjrekar,** and **Amol Gupte**, with **Salman Khan** making a special appearance. Backed by Mumbai Film Company and Jio Studios, this is the most expensive and ambitious Marathi production ever mounted.

While the advance numbers won’t rival those of *Dhurandhar: The Revenge* or *Pushpa 2*, a **₹10 crore+ opening day in Maharashtra** alone would be a landmark moment for the regional industry. The fact that the Hindi belt is also contributing nearly ₹3 crore further validates its pan-India appeal.

[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivaji) remains one of the most revered historical figures in Indian history — his legacy of courage, administration, and secular governance continues to inspire millions, making a grand cinematic retelling of his life a natural cultural event.

For more Marathi and Indian cinema box office updates, visit [TechnoSports](https://technosports.co.in).

### FAQs’

### **Q: Who directed Raja Shivaji (2026) and who does it star?**

Raja Shivaji is written and directed by Riteish Deshmukh, who also plays the lead role, with an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Salman Khan in a guest appearance, and many others.

### **Q: What is Raja Shivaji’s expected opening day collection at the box office?**

  
Based on advance booking trends, Raja Shivaji is projected to open at over ₹10 crore in Maharashtra, with an additional ~₹3 crore contribution from the Hindi-dubbed version.