Jyoti Deshpande, President of Jio Studios, recently shared insights into the making of Raja Shivaji, one of the most anticipated historical epics based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
An 8-Year-Long Vision Comes to Life
Speaking at the trailer launch, Jyoti Deshpande revealed that discussions around the film with Riteish Vilasrao Deshmukh have been ongoing for nearly eight years.
“I set up Jio Studios in 2018, and since then we’ve been discussing this film. I always believed the time would come—and a couple of years ago, we finally decided to make it,” she shared.
Celebrating India’s Culture and History
Deshpande emphasized her vision of showcasing India’s rich heritage through cinema. She highlighted that her focus has always been on telling stories that celebrate the country’s culture, history, and mythology on a global platform.
“When Intent Is Right, Results Follow”
Praising Riteish Deshmukh’s dedication, Deshpande spoke about the importance of intent in filmmaking.
“When the intent is right, the purpose is right, and the right people come together, the result is always good—even if it may seem like madness on paper,” she said, proudly calling herself a “madwoman” for backing such ambitious projects.
A Unified Team with a Shared Vision
She also applauded the cast and crew, stating that when everyone works with a common purpose, the outcome often exceeds expectations. The film, she believes, is a testament to what can be achieved through shared passion and belief.
A Story Beyond Language Barriers
Deshpande highlighted that Raja Shivaji is designed to be a “language-agnostic” film.
“A story is an emotion, and emotion does not need a language. No matter which language you watch it in, you will feel the same emotion,” she noted, expressing confidence that the film will resonate with audiences across India and globally.
Showcasing a Powerful Untold Story
Through Raja Shivaji, Jio Studios aims to present a compelling narrative that traces the journey of Shivaji Maharaj—from his humble beginnings to becoming the iconic ‘Chhatrapati’, bringing a fresh perspective to his legacy.
Ensemble Cast Adds Star Power
The film features a stellar cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Boman Irani, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amol Gupte, Genelia Deshmukh, along with Riteish Deshmukh.
Release Date and Production Details
Presented by Jio Studios and produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh under Mumbai Film Company, Raja Shivaji is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on May 1, 2026, in Marathi and Hindi.
The film promises to bring India’s history alive on the big screen with scale, emotion, and cinematic grandeur.
