Riteish Deshmukh is currently gearing up for the release of his film Raja Shivaji, which he has directed, acted in, written, and produced. The film will be released in theatres on May 1. Earlier this week, the trailer of the film was launched, and netizens began to dissect the historical drama. One of the criticisms the film has faced is regarding a scene featuring Sanjay Dutt and Riteish Deshmukh. Dutt plays the role of Afzal Khan in the film.
Riteish Deshmukh reacts to accusation
An X user slammed Riteish Deshmukh for historical inaccuracies in the trailer of Raja Shivaji. The scene in question shows Riteish as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj confronting Afzal Khan using the Wagh Nakh (tiger claws), a well-known incident from the Maharaj’s life. Criticising the scene, the user wrote,
“Did Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj show the “Wagh Nakh” to Afzal Khan? Wagh Nakh came out only after Afzal attacked Maharaj. Why is @Riteishd manipulating the glorious history of Maharashtra?”
In another post, he attached screenshots of the scene he was referring to, writing,
“The trailer of Riteish Deshmukh’s film shows Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj openly displaying the Wagh Nakh to Afzal Khan before the attack. It is historical fact that “Wagh Nakh” was concealed and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used it only after attack by Afzal.”
He also added, “WHY IS @RITEISHD MANIPULATING & INSULTING CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ`S & MAHARASHTRA`S HISTORY, LEGACY & PRIDE???”
Riteish responded to the X user. Sharing the post, he wrote, “Respected Sir, pls do watch the film on 1st May.. the answer to your question is there in the movie. I hope you enjoy the film with your friends and family. Jai Shivrai (folded hands emoji).”
Respected Sir, pls do watch the film on 1st May.. the answer to your question is there in the movie. I hope you enjoy the film with your friends and family. Jai Shivrai 🙏🏽 https://t.co/RyzDUnpl4x
— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) April 22, 2026
However, the original poster was not convinced by the response and replied, “So the truth is ‘inside the film’? “Watch the film for answers” is fine for fiction, not history. When depicting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the trailer itself should answer questions, not raise them. Interesting strategy: Market Doubt, Sell Clarification.”
Raja Shivaji trailer
The trailer offers a glimpse into the film, with Riteish portraying Shivaji as a determined leader striving to establish swarajya (self-rule) in his land. He takes on the formidable Afzal Khan, played by Sanjay Dutt, in intense sword-fighting sequences. Abhishek Bachchan essays the role of Shivaji’s brother, Sambhaji Shahaji Bhosle, as the two join forces in their fight against the Mughals. The film highlights a crucial chapter from Shivaji’s life, focusing on how he outmanoeuvred Afzal Khan using strategic guerrilla warfare.
The film features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt as Afzal Khan, Abhishek Bachchan as Sambhaji Shahaji Maharaj, Sachin Khedekar as Shahaji Raje Bhosale, Bhagyashree as Jijabai, Vidya Balan as Badi Begum (Adilshah’s wife), Fardeen Khan as Shah Jahan, Jitendra Joshi as Pant, Amol Gupte as Adilshah, and Genelia Deshmukh as Sai Bai. Riteish and Genelia’s son essays the role of a young Shivaji.
Presented by Jio Studios and produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh under the Mumbai Film Company banner, Raja Shivaji is directed by Riteish Deshmukh and is slated for a global release on May 1, 2026, in multiple languages.
