Raja Shivaji Crosses ₹100 Crore, Riteish Deshmukh Rewrites Marathi Cinema’s Box Office History

Released on May 1, 2026, Raja Shivaji has rewritten Marathi cinema’s record books. Directed and headlined by Riteish Deshmukh, the film narrates the life and triumphs of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Despite mixed reviews, strong word-of-mouth and emotional resonance with audiences have propelled it into blockbuster territory.

Box Office Journey

The film opened with a record-breaking weekend, earning over ₹30 crore net. By the end of its first week, collections stood at ₹52.65 crore net, rising to ₹77 crore net in week two. In its third weekend, the film added ₹7.6 crore net, pushing domestic gross past ₹100 crore. Globally, it has now reached ₹114.8 crore, overtaking Sairat’s lifetime gross of ₹110 crore.

Cast And Production

Produced by Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company, the film features an ensemble cast including Genelia Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, and Amole Gupte. Riteish and Genelia’s sons, Riaan and Rahyl, also made their acting debuts portraying Shivaji Maharaj at different stages of his life.

Cultural Impact

The film’s success underscores the enduring emotional connect Maharashtrians have with Shivaji Maharaj. Riteish himself noted that stories of the Maratha warrior king are integral to childhood and continue to resonate across generations. The achievement also signals a new era for Marathi cinema, which rarely sees productions crossing the ₹100 crore threshold.

Box Office Highlights

•⁠  ⁠Raja Shivaji crosses ₹100 crore in 18 days, now at ₹114.8 crore worldwide

•⁠  ⁠Second Marathi film to enter ₹100 crore club after Sairat  

•⁠  ⁠Biggest opening weekend ever for a Marathi film at ₹40.35 crore gross

•⁠  ⁠Domestic net earnings stand at ₹84.55 crore after 17 days

•⁠  ⁠Ensemble cast includes major Bollywood names alongside Marathi stars

•⁠  ⁠Produced by Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company

Sources: Times of India, Hindustan Times, Financial Express, Moneycontrol, India Today, Economic Times