With just days left before hitting theatres, Raja Shivaji has officially crossed a major checkpoint. The ambitious period drama led by Riteish Deshmukh has completed its censor process, and while there were a few suggested tweaks, the film is now locked for release. Interestingly, the buzz around the film hasn’t slowed down at all — if anything, it’s only getting louder as more details come out.
The Central Board of Film Certification has granted the film a U/A 16+ rating, which already hints at a story that carries intensity along with historical depth. What stands out immediately is the runtime — the Marathi version reportedly stretches to over 3 hours and 15 minutes. That’s a long watch by any standard today, but recent big-ticket films have shown that audiences are still willing to invest that time if the storytelling delivers. In fact, long runtimes have almost become a statement for large-scale, high-stakes cinema.
Now coming to the changes, the censor process didn’t demand anything drastic, but it did focus on clarity and sensitivity. The makers were asked to refine the disclaimer with stronger wording and include a voiceover to make the context clearer. There were also instructions to properly explain the title choice and back up the historical elements shown in the film with supporting material. It seems like the aim here wasn’t to restrict the film, but to make sure it presents history responsibly while still remaining cinematic.
A few visual adjustments were also suggested. One particular scene involving violence was toned down and replaced with a different shot, while certain muted sequences were updated with proper audio. These are relatively minor edits, but they reflect how closely historical films are being examined today, especially when they revolve around iconic figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The film itself is built around the life and journey of Shivaji Maharaj, focusing on his rise as a leader and his vision of Swarajya. While that core story is widely known, the makers are said to be exploring lesser-seen moments and personal layers of his life. That approach could make a big difference, especially for audiences who are looking for more than just textbook history on screen.
Another factor that keeps the film in constant conversation is its massive ensemble. Alongside Riteish, names like Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan and Genelia D’Souza are attached, which gives the film an even bigger scale. At the same time, the casting choice of Riteish himself as Shivaji Maharaj has sparked debate, adding another layer of curiosity around how the final performance will land.
Behind the scenes, the film is also a deeply personal project for Riteish, as he has not only acted in it but also co-written and directed it. Produced by Genelia Deshmukh and Jyoti Deshpande, the film is being positioned as a pan-India release, arriving in multiple languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
Right now, Raja Shivaji sits at an interesting point. It has hype, scale, controversy, and now a confirmed runtime that signals ambition. The censor clearance might be done, but the real test begins when audiences finally walk into theatres on May 1. Whether it lives up to the expectations or not, one thing is certain — this isn’t going to be a quiet release.
