The Bombay High Court on Thursday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by an NGO, seeking a stay on the theatrical release of the upcoming film Raja Shivaji starring Riteish Deshmukh.

About the PIL

The PIL was reportedly filed by the NGO named Sree Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Foundation, taking objection to the omission of the honorific title `Chhatrapati` from the name of the movie. The petition claimed that it was disrespectful towards the 17th-century Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, on whom the movie is based.

The PIL further demanded that the movie title be changed to ‘Chhatrapati Raja Shivaji’. According to Bar and Bench, Advocate Manoj Kumar Mishra, appearing for the petitioner-NGO, sought directions to restrain the release, screening, broadcast and public exhibition of the Raja Shivaji movie.

It was argued that the title of the movie hurt the sentiments of followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj while diluting his historically and culturally recognised status as a sovereign ruler. The petitioner also sought directions to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to reassess the film’s title in line with constitutional principles and certification guidelines. 

Bombay HC dismisses plea

However, a Bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, on Thursday, held that the PIL did not match any public cause and was, in fact, a motivated petition. “This PIL is motivated, and it is quite apparent from the records that just 2 days before the release of the film, this PIL has been filed. In our opinion, the title of the movie in no manner is derogatory to the status of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” the Court noted. 

Notably, the PIL named the Union of India, the State of Maharashtra and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) as respondents, along with actor‑director Riteish Deshmukh, producers Jyoti Deshpande, Genelia Deshmukh and Mumbai Film Company Pvt Ltd.

The producers, through advocate Shardul Singh, told the court that the film depicted the Maratha ruler’s life before he was coronated as ‘Chhatrapati’ in 1674 CE. And that the disclaimer for the same had been added in the film, which the CBFC had approved.

Singh stated that the movie was announced back in February 2024, and the date of release of May 1, 2026, was announced in 2025, noting that the title had always been in the public domain.

The Court noted that the petitioner-NGO produced certain information retrieved from Wikipedia and, on the basis of that, tried to prove that the movie title was derogatory to the status of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Court ordered, “A PIL which originated with a guiding philosophy to ensure that the voice of the voiceless is heard in a court of law, seems to have been deduced/reduced by a petition like a present one and is dismissed.”