Movie · 2026 · Action, History, Drama · 3h 15m · MR
Curator score: 3.0/10 (23K ratings)
Overview
Chronicles the rise of young Shivaji Bhonsale, who challenged the might of established empires to found the Maratha kingdom and lay the groundwork for 'Swarajya' (self-rule) during a turbulent period of Indian history.
Ratings
Curator score: 3.0/10
IMDb: 7.6/10
Letterboxd: 3.05/5
TMDB: 9.0/10
Director
Riteish Deshmukh
Production
Jio Studios, Mumbai Film Company, Reliance Entertainment
An ambitious historical drama with strong music and a few effective performances, but the consensus points to uneven execution, sluggish pacing, and VFX that undercut the scale. It may appeal to viewers invested in Maratha history or big patriotic epics, but it sounds more admirable in intent than satisfying in practice.
Best for
Viewers who want a large-scale Indian historical drama
Audiences interested in Shivaji and Maratha history
Fans who prioritize music and pageantry over realism
Curious viewers open to a flawed but earnest prestige epic
Skip if
You need sharp writing and nuanced characterization
Weak VFX and long runtimes bother you
You dislike overtly reverent, nationalist historical storytelling
You want a tightly paced action-drama
Overview
Raja Shivaji aims for the grandeur of a foundational historical epic, tracing the rise of Shivaji Bhonsale with the kind of reverence usually reserved for national mythmaking. The premise is inherently compelling, and the film seems to have genuine ambition in its scale, music, and period sweep.
Worth noting
But the response suggests the execution is far shakier than the intent. Reviews repeatedly point to sluggish pacing, awkward or cartoonish characterizations, and visual effects that make the spectacle feel less immersive than it should. The film appears to struggle most when it needs to make its central figure feel human, complex, and commanding.
Bottom line
What comes through most clearly is that the production has passion and a few standout elements, especially the score, yet never fully earns the emotional weight of its subject. For viewers already predisposed to this kind of historical pageant, there may be enough to appreciate; for everyone else, it sounds like a long, uneven sit.
Top Letterboxd reviews
𝙼𝙰𝙲𝙺 𝚂𝙴𝚀𝚄𝙴𝙸𝚁𝙰 (2★) · 59 likes
Ritesh aani Genelia chi MITRA MANDALI YOJANA gone wrong : Hya murkhapana muley, pura filmachi vaat laaun sodli.
Ritesh Deshmukh seems to have confused directing a historical epic with hosting a lavish birthday party for his friends, resulting in a 3½ hour snooze fest that treats Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s life like a high budget Marathi TV serial. The biggest insult is the casting, Ritesh as the formidable Shivaji Maharaj is a joke, lacking the voice, presence and grit required for… more
sidbhat (0.5★) · 43 likes
As a proud Marathi who will forever defend the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, I absolutely despise this film. Riteish has absolutely butchered the story. There is no nuance. No drama. No suspense. There are no characters. Just caricatures. I wanna know Shivaji. Who was he as a person? His fears. His ambition. His grit. Beliefs. Prejudices. The good and the bad. Who was Afzal Khan? Who was Adil Shah? Shah Jahan?
Why be so frivolous? So simplistic? So amateurish?… more
Pranjali (2★) · 40 likes
Wished the movie was as audacious as we've read about Maharaj ! Looked like parody at moments.
Yash (2.5★) · 34 likes
As someone who was literally born and brought up listening/reading to the stories and epics of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, I’d gladly take 50 films on him a year—but not at the cost of a decent actor who can’t carry the weight of the character and ends up filling the film with friends and family for the sake of it.
Riteish had gold in his hands, man—he just ruined it with all those style-over-substance shots and incredibly disastrous CGI/VFX work. I really wanted to love this film and yes there are some good scenes here and there but it just didn’t land.
Batman50 (1★) · 20 likes
Honestly, this felt like watching a parody than a film…
There have been different adaptations of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and there are some that are good and some that are bad. This goes beyond bad and I really didn’t like this. Not only are most of the cast miscasted, but they overdo their roles and makes it feel more of a spoof than respecting the source material and authenticity. It felt like Ritesh casted his friends or those he knew… more
2000 · Action, Drama, Adventure · 2h 35m · R · Curator 8.4/10 (3.8M ratings) · Where to watch: Hulu, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Kanopy, AMC, Philo
For viewers who like heroic historical spectacle with revenge, honor, and empire-level conflict.
2003 · Drama, Action, War · 2h 34m · R · Curator 5.5/10 (799.1K ratings)
A sweeping historical action-drama about cultural resistance, martial codes, and the rise of a symbolically important leader.
Topics
historical epic, Indian period drama, war drama, patriotic, political struggle, mythic heroism, long runtime, lavish production, music-driven, uneven VFX