Raja Shivaji is a historical drama directed by Riteish Deshmukh. The film traces the evolution of Shivaji Shahaji Bhonsle into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is set in the mid-seventeenth century in parts of future Maharashtra.
The main adversary in the film is Afzal Khan, played by Sanjay Dutt. The film emphasizes Shivaji’s pursuit of Hindavi Swaraj. It features a runtime of 195 minutes.
Key cast:
- Vidya Balan as Khadija, wife of Adil Shah
- Salman Khan in a cameo as Jeeva Mahala
- Abhishek Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt also make appearances
The screenplay is co-written by Riteish Deshmukh, Jaideep Yadav, and Prajakt Deshmukh. The music is composed by Ajay-Atul, with cinematography by Santosh Sivan.
The Bombay High Court dismissed a petition claiming that the title ‘Raja Shivaji’ was derogatory. Critics have mixed opinions about the film’s execution.
One review stated, “Raja Shivaji isn’t perfect, but it tells the tale of the Maratha king very nicely.” Another remarked on the first half being unimpressive and slow.
