Raja Shivaji (2026) is a grand historical drama that brings the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to the big screen with scale and sincerity. The film works as a respectful tribute with strong performances and music, but falls slightly short due to pacing issues.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (3.5/5)
Raja Shivaji Cast and Crew
Directed by and starring Riteish Deshmukh, the film is clearly a passion project backed by strong intent.
Main Cast:
- Riteish Deshmukh as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
- Sanjay Dutt as Afzal Khan
- Abhishek Bachchan as Sambhaji Shahaji Bhosale
- Salman Khan (special appearance)
Music is composed by Ajay–Atul, which turns out to be one of the film’s biggest strengths.
Raja Shivaji Story: What Is the Film About?
The film traces the journey of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, from his early years to the establishment of Swarajya.
It showcases key battles, political strategies, and defining moments that shaped the Maratha empire. The narrative focuses more on presenting a respectful and inspiring version of history rather than diving into controversy or darker complexities.
What Works in Raja Shivaji
The biggest highlight is the scale and ambition. The film features grand sets, large battle sequences, and detailed production design that make it visually impressive.
Riteish Deshmukh delivers a sincere performance, bringing quiet intensity and leadership presence to the role. This is easily one of his better performances in recent years.
The supporting cast adds weight — Sanjay Dutt is impactful as Afzal Khan, while Abhishek Bachchan delivers a solid performance.
The music by Ajay–Atul elevates many scenes. The background score during battle sequences and emotional moments adds to the cinematic experience.
What Doesn’t Work
The film’s biggest drawback is its runtime of over 3 hours. The middle portions feel stretched, and some dramatic scenes become repetitive.
The VFX is uneven — while some war sequences look grand, others feel less polished. Also, the film plays it safe in storytelling, avoiding deeper exploration of complex or grey aspects.
Raja Shivaji vs Other Historical Films
Compared to recent big-scale Indian historical dramas, Raja Shivaji focuses more on respect and tribute rather than cinematic experimentation.
Final Verdict: Hit or Miss?
Raja Shivaji is a well-intentioned, grand tribute that works because of its heart and sincerity.
It may not be flawless, but it delivers enough scale, performances, and emotion to make it a solid one-time theatrical watch — especially for fans of historical cinema and admirers of Shivaji Maharaj.