Riteish Deshmukh’s Raja Shivaji Shines: Cast Waives Fees, Box Office Soars

Riteish Deshmukh’s epic film "Raja Shivaji" is making headlines, both for its box office dominance and the rare gesture by its all-star cast. Known for his steady rise as a filmmaker, Riteish has taken on dual responsibilities as director and lead actor in this historical drama, which is currently enjoying a resplendent run in cinemas across Maharashtra.

The film features a dazzling ensemble including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amole Gupte, Genelia Deshmukh, and a special cameo by Salman Khan. In a heartfelt revelation, Riteish shared, "All the big actors have worked for free in this film; everyone has worked for free for Maharaj," underscoring their collective respect for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the importance of historical fidelity.

"Raja Shivaji" stormed into theatres with a record-breaking opening weekend, amassing ₹37 crores nett—setting a new benchmark for Marathi cinema. Trade sources confirm the film held strong on Monday with ₹6 crores nett, signaling enduring audience interest and positive word-of-mouth. Notably, the producers have refrained from Tuesday discounts, fueling curiosity about forthcoming collections.

With robust momentum and widespread appreciation, all eyes are on "Raja Shivaji" to see how its box office journey unfolds in the coming weeks.