Mumbai: Riteish Deshmukh’s ambitious historical epic Raja Shivaji has made a powerful start at the box office, setting new benchmarks for Marathi cinema with an impressive ₹23.90 crore opening weekend.

Released on 1 May 2026, the film has recorded the biggest opening day ever for a Marathi film, according to trade analyst Taran Adarsh. Benefiting from the Maharashtra Day holiday, the film earned ₹12.40 crore on its opening day, followed by ₹11.50 crore on Saturday, taking its two-day total to ₹23.90 crore across both Marathi and Hindi versions.

Adarsh noted that the film has maintained “super-strong” momentum since release. While the Marathi version is currently leading, the Hindi version is expected to gain further traction through positive word-of-mouth. The film is also anticipated to see further growth over the weekend before facing the crucial weekday test.

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Deshmukh not only stars in the lead role but also directs the film, marking a significant milestone in his career. The film features a strong ensemble cast, including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Bhagyashree and Genelia Deshmukh in key roles.

Supporting performances come from Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi and Amole Gupte. A special appearance by Salman Khan has also drawn enthusiastic reactions from audiences.

The film additionally marks the acting debut of Deshmukh and Genelia’s son, Rahyl.

From a technical standpoint, Raja Shivaji has been widely praised for its scale and execution, with cinematography by Santosh Sivan and a score by Ajay-Atul enhancing its cinematic appeal.

Amid the film’s success, Deshmukh shared a video message thanking audiences for their support. He also made a “humble request” urging viewers not to record or share scenes from cinemas, particularly key moments that could spoil the story, emphasising the importance of preserving the theatrical experience.