Entertainment • Jun 26, 2025

Vidya Balan confirmed for Riteish Deshmukh's Raja Shivaji

Vidya Balan is set to appear in Riteish Deshmukh's upcoming Marathi film, Raja Shivaji—a historical drama where Deshmukh directs and stars as the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The cast also includes Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, and Mahesh Manjrekar.
Balan has finished her look test and will start filming soon.

TL;DR

Vidya Balan joins the cast as Shivaji Maharaj's queen

Raja Shivaji is aiming for a May 1, 2026 release and promises an honest retelling of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's life.
It's a big move for Marathi cinema—one of the few projects made for audiences across India.
With such a powerhouse cast and Deshmukh taking on both lead actor and director roles, this film could be one of 2026's most anticipated releases.