HC clears Mahesh Manjrekar’s film, says no one owns Shivaji Maharaj’s name
The Bombay High Court has given the green signal for the release of Mahesh Manjrekar’s upcoming Marathi film “Punha Shivaji Raje Bhosale” , ruling that no individual or company can claim exclusivity over the name or legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
A vacation bench of Justice Amit Jamsandekar delivered the order on Thursday, rejecting a plea filed by Everest Entertainment LLP that sought to stop the film’s release, alleging copyright infringement. The court observed that “the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in any form, cannot be the subject matter of exclusivity,” and termed the infringement allegations “prima facie unsustainable and baseless.”
How the Controversy Began
The controversy erupted earlier this month when Everest Entertainment LLP, the production house behind the 2022 Marathi film “Shivaji Bhosale: The Warrior King” , accused Mahesh Manjrekar and his team of copying elements from their script and using similar titles and themes. They argued that Manjrekar’s film could mislead audiences into believing it was a continuation or remake of their earlier project.
Following the complaint, Everest Entertainment moved the Bombay High Court, seeking an injunction to stop the release of “Punha Shivaji Raje Bhosale” , which was slated to hit theatres on November 1.
How It Ended
After reviewing both scripts and submissions, the court ruled that Everest Entertainment’s claims had no merit. Justice Jamsandekar clarified that historical and cultural icons like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj belong to the public domain and cannot be claimed as anyone’s intellectual property. The bench further noted that the similarities pointed out were generic and not enough to establish copyright violation.
With this ruling, the court dismissed the petition and cleared the path for the film’s release.
About Mahesh Manjrekar
Mahesh Manjrekar is one of Maharashtra’s most respected filmmakers and actors, known for his impactful storytelling and contributions to both Marathi and Hindi cinema. Born on August 16, 1958, in Mumbai, he has directed acclaimed films like “Vaastav: The Reality” (1999), “Astitva” (2000), and “Viruddh… Family Comes First” (2005).
Over his career, Manjrekar has acted in more than 75 films and directed around 25. Known for his ability to blend realism with strong social themes, he has earned critical acclaim and numerous awards for his work.
In “Punha Shivaji Raje Bhosale” , Mahesh Manjrekar takes on multiple roles as writer, director, and presenter of the film continuing his legacy of delivering powerful Marathi cinema with cultural depth and emotional resonance.
About the Film and Cast
“Punha Shivaji Raje Bhosale” is written and directed by Mahesh Manjrekar and serves as a sequel to his 2009 hit “Mi Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy!” . The new film explores how the values and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj continue to inspire modern society.
The cast includes:
• Siddharth Bodke as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
• Sayaji Shinde
• Trisha Thosar
• Bhargav Jagtap
• Mangesh Desai, Shashank Shende, and Sandeep Juwatkar in key roles
The film aims to blend historical reverence with contemporary relevance, presenting Shivaji Maharaj’s ideals in a way that resonates with today’s generation.