Raja Shivaji's Record Opening Has a Catch — And It Changes What This Number Means [Box Office]

The biggest Marathi film opening in history — but the Hindi version is barely showing up. Raja

Shivaji's opening weekend tells two very different stories depending on which screen you're sitting in.

WHAT HAPPENED

Riteish Deshmukh's directorial epic Raja Shivaji, released on May 1, 2026 (Maharashtra Day), set the record for the biggest opening for a Marathi film in history. Advance bookings closed at Rs 5.14 crore gross, including a historic Rs 4.25 crore gross (Rs 3.60 crore net) for the original Marathi version alone — surpassing Sairat and Timepass 2. By Day 3 (May 3), the film had crossed Rs 25 crore India net and was tracking towards Rs 50 crore in its opening weekend. The Hindi dubbed version, however, saw an underwhelming opening-day advance of Rs 1.50–2 crore, significantly below what a film with Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Vidya Balan in the cast might command.

INSIDER TAKE

This is a Marathi film that happens to have a very famous supporting cast in its Hindi dub — not a Bollywood film with a Marathi version. That distinction matters enormously for understanding the numbers. Riteish Deshmukh is a genuine Marathi cinema hero, and his fanbase showed up. But Salman Khan's name in the credits did not translate to Salman-level Hindi advance bookings, which tells you that audiences understand the difference

between a cameo-supporting role and a starring vehicle. This is a genuine Marathi cinema victory, and it should be celebrated as such.

WHY IT MATTERS

A Rs 34 crore net opening week for a Marathi-language film challenges long-held assumptions about regional language ceilings at the Indian box office. If Raja Shivaji sustains its run, it opens the door for larger budgets in Marathi cinema and validates Riteish Deshmukh's multi-year bet on building a prestige regional filmmaking career alongside his Bollywood work. The Maharashtra Day release was strategically perfect — but the question

is whether the film has legs beyond its opening weekend fanbase.

WHAT FANS ARE MISSING

The cast list buried in the credits includes a rare on-screen reunion: Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh appear together, along with Fardeen Khan making one of his major post-comeback appearances. Bhagyashree — barely seen in mainstream cinema since the 1990s — also appears. The film is quietly a generation-spanning cast reunion that has been underreported in the coverage focused on the Salman cameo.

QUICK FACTS

Release Date May 1, 2026 (Maharashtra Day)

Director Riteish Deshmukh

Language Marathi (primary) | Hindi dubbed

Opening Advance (Marathi) Rs 3.60 crore net (all-time Marathi record)

3-Day Total Rs 25+ crore net (tracking to Rs 33–50 crore weekend)

Platform Theatrical | JioHotstar OTT (India) / JioHotstar global (International)

FAQs

Q: What is Raja Shivaji about?

A: Raja Shivaji is a historical action-drama directed by and starring Riteish Deshmukh, chronicling the rise of Shivaji Bhosale and his establishment of Hindavi Swarajya. It features an ensemble cast including Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Vidya Balan.

Q: Did Raja Shivaji break any records?

A: Yes. Raja Shivaji set the all-time Marathi opening day record with Rs 3.60 crore net in advance bookings alone,surpassing Sairat and Timepass 2.

Q: Who is in the cast of Raja Shivaji?

A: The cast includes Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia Deshmukh, Salman Khan (cameo), Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Fardeen Khan, Sanjay Dutt, and Bhagyashree.

Q: Is Raja Shivaji a Bollywood or Marathi film?

A: Raja Shivaji is primarily a Marathi-language film produced by Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company. A Hindi dubbed version was also released simultaneously.