20 April,2026 06:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Genelia Deshmukh and Riteish Deshmukh at the trailer launch of Raja Shivaji (Pic/ Yogen Shah)
Actors Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh turned emotional at the trailer launch of their upcoming film 'Raja Shivaji' in Mumbai on Monday. The couple thanked the team behind the historical drama for their support and hard work. The trailer of the highly anticipated historical drama was unveiled at a grand event attended by the cast and crew. 'Raja Shivaji' revolves around the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and is mounted on a large cinematic scale.
During the event, Riteish was seen weeping as he spoke to the media while thanking his team for helping him and bringing the project to life. Standing beside him, Genelia was also moved and broke down on stage.
Actor Sanjay Dutt, who was also seen wiping away tears. Riteish later thanked Genelia for standing by him and supporting him throughout the journey of making the film.
The launch event was attended by several actors, including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar and Bhagyashree, all of whom play important roles in the film.
The trailer offers a glimpse into the film, with Riteish portraying Shivaji as a determined leader striving to establish swarajya (self-rule) in his land. He takes on the formidable Mughal commander Afzal Khan, played by Sanjay Dutt, in intense sword-fighting sequences. Abhishek Bachchan essays the role of Shivaji's brother, Sambhaji Shahaji Bhosle, as the two join forces in their fight against the Mughals. The film highlights a crucial chapter from Shivaji's life, focusing on how he outmaneuvered Afzal Khan using strategic guerrilla warfare.
The film features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt as Afzal Khan, Abhishek Bachchan as Sambhaji Shahaji Maharaj (Shivaji Maharaj's brother), Sachin Khedekar as Shahaji Raje Bhosale, Bhagyashree as Jijabai, Vidya Balan as Badi Begum (Adilshah's wife), Fardeen Khan as Shah Jahan, Jitendra Joshi as Pant, Amol Gupte as Adilshah, and Genelia Deshmukh as Sai Bai. Riteish and Genelia's son essays the role of a young Shivaji.
Presented by Jio Studios and produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh under the banner of Mumbai Film Company, Raja Shivaji is set to release in cinemas worldwide on May 1, in Marathi, Hindi and Telugu.
