Riteish Deshmukh’s Shivaji Epic Opens Big, Salman Khan Cameo Steals Spotlight

The much-anticipated historical drama on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has hit theatres to a thunderous response, with Riteish Deshmukh leading the film in the titular role. The biopic, released in Marathi, Hindi, and Telugu, brings together a strong ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, and Vidya Balan.

Adding to the buzz is a surprise cameo by Salman Khan, who appears as Shivaji’s loyal protector Jeeva Mahala. His brief but powerful presence, marked by a striking look in saffron robes and a hard-hitting dialogue, has triggered loud cheers in theatres and quickly become a major talking point among audiences.

The film has opened to record-breaking advance bookings in the Marathi market, crossing over 200,000 tickets and generating strong pre-release revenue. Early box office projections suggest an impressive opening day collection in the range of ₹13–15 crore.

Viewers and critics alike have praised Deshmukh’s intense portrayal, along with the film’s music and large-scale battle sequences. However, some early reactions have pointed to pacing issues in parts of the narrative. Despite that, the film’s grand presentation and star power appear to have struck a chord, setting the stage for a strong theatrical run.