Rishab Shetty Takes on Shivaji Maharaj Role in Sandeep Singh’s Historical Epic (EXCLUSIVE)

“Kantara” star Rishab Shetty has signed on to portray Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in director Sandeep Singh‘s upcoming historical drama “The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” a biopic of revered 17th century Indian ruler Shivaji Bhonsle.

The Indian National Film Award-winning actor adds this period epic to an already packed lineup that includes “Kantara 2” (2025) and “Jai Hanuman” (2026), with “The Pride of Bharat” slated for release in January 2027.

Singh has produced several acclaimed films including Toronto title, boxing biopic “Mary Kom” (2014), where he served as co-producer, Asia Pacific Screen Awards-winning gay rights drama “Aligarh” (2015) and slum soccer film “Jhund” (2022). He made his directorial debut with ZEE5 streaming original, the transgender-themed “Safed” (2023).

The Shivaji biopic will be his first theatrical feature film as director. The production will employ international technical talent and advanced visual effects to bring the story of the legendary warrior king to screen.

Shivaji (1630-1680), who hailed from the Hindu religion, founded the Maratha empire when most of India was under the rule of Muslim monarchs, winning his territories using a mixture of military moves and strategic nous. At a time when the Moghul emperor Aurangzeb was persecuting Hindus, the community rallied by Shivaji, who was crowned as Chhatrapati (monarch). During India’s independence movement, Shivaji was held in high esteem as a Hindu nationalist hero, a position he enjoys to this day.

The popularity of Shivaji can be measured by the fact that the stories of him and his associates have been told in India more than 60 times across film and television, beginning with “Sinhagad” (1923). The current production will have a lavish budget and will be released in multiple Indian languages. Billionaire Mukesh Ambani‘s Jio Studios and actors Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh’s Mumbai Film Company’s “Raja Shivaji,” that will trace the journey of the young Shivaji, has also been announced.

Singh also produced “PM Narendra Modi” (2019), a biopic of the current Indian Prime Minister who is from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP,) and “Main Atal Hoon,” a biopic of the first BJP Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

“Playing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is an honor beyond words,” said Shetty. “He is a national hero whose impact transcends history, and I feel immense pride in bringing his story to the screen.”

Singh added: “Rishab Shetty was my first and only choice for the role – he truly embodies the strength, spirit and valor of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This film has been my dream for many years now, and it is my privilege and honor to be bringing this story to the silver screen.”