04 June,2026 05:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Riteish Deshmukh. Pic via Instagram
Riteish Deshmukh's latest directorial venture, Raja Shivaji, has received an overwhelming response across Maharashtra, becoming the highest-grossing Marathi film of all time. To celebrate the film's success, the actor recently hosted a party for the cast, crew, and close industry friends. A video from the event has gone viral, showing Riteish dancing to a Bollywood song while wearing a T-shirt with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's image printed on it.
The video has attracted a lot of criticism online, with many viewers calling it disrespectful while speculating that the actor was intoxicated.
Riteish has now addressed the controversy by taking to Instagram Stories to clarify his stance and respond to the rumours.
Sharing a long note in Marathi, the actor wrote, "To celebrate the unprecedented response given by the audience to the recently released movie Raja Shivaji, our entire team had organised a small celebration. A video of mine related to that is currently circulating on social media. As a devotee of Shivaji Maharaj (Shivpremi) and a family man who values his audience, I consider it my duty to clarify this."
The note added, "I want to clarify that while celebrating while wearing a T-shirt featuring the image of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, I did not have the slightest intention of disrespecting him. I was using that T-shirt during the promotional campaign for the movie. On that day as well, I joined the event directly after wrapping up promotional work, which is why I missed changing the T-shirt."
Riteish further addressed the allegations about him being intoxicated, stating, "Additionally, regarding some claims being made about me on social media, I want to clarify that I have never consumed alcohol in my life, nor will I ever do so in the future. Therefore, any allegations in this context are completely far from the truth."
The actor added that the viral video was actually filmed by a person who was not even invited to the party. "This event was organised to express gratitude towards all the artists and colleagues, both in front of and behind the camera, who worked tirelessly for three and a half years for the movie Raja Shivaji. However, if anyone's sentiments were hurt by my action, I sincerely express my regret as a Shivpremi," he stated.
Riteish finally concluded the note saying, "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a symbol of faith, inspiration, and pride for all of us. I have immense respect, love, and loyalty for him in my heart. This sentiment is just as strong today and will remain so forever. Jai Shivray."
Raja Shivaji was released on May 1, and featured an ensemble cast including Riteish, Genelia Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Amol Gupte, Jitendra Joshi, and Mahesh Manjrekar, along with a cameo by Salman Khan.
