Apr 20, 2026 5:07pm IST
‘Raja Shivaji’ Trailer Review: Riteish Deshmukh Grounds the Film’s Scale With Rooted Authenticity
The trailer of “Raja Shivaji” opens with clarity of intent. Mounted as a large-scale theatrical experience, the film sees Riteish Deshmukh take on one of his most ambitious projects yet, both as actor and director. What stands out immediately is not just the scale, but the rootedness. The makers have chosen to launch only the Marathi trailer so far, with the film shot in Marathi and dubbed in Hindi, reinforcing its cultural grounding right from the outset. Deshmukh kept it rooted, conducting the entire launch event in Marathi.
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The biggest takeaway is the film’s commitment to scale without losing its regional identity. At the trailer launch, Riteish Deshmukh leaned fully into his Marathi roots, with introductions and communication held in Marathi, setting the tone for how the film positions itself. That authenticity reflects in the trailer as well.
Visually, the film benefits significantly from Santosh Sivan’s cinematography. The frames carry a sense of texture and depth, especially in the outdoor and battle sequences, giving the film a distinct visual identity. The use of natural light, wide compositions and movement adds to the scale without feeling overly synthetic.
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The background score by Ajay-Atul is another strong pillar. It drives momentum and enhances several moments, giving the trailer its emotional and dramatic lift.
As a performer, Riteish Deshmukh shows restraint and intent, particularly in close-up moments. The supporting cast, including Sanjay Dutt and Abhishek Bachchan, adds weight, even in brief appearances.
What’s not
The trailer focuses more on establishing tone and scale than diving into narrative specifics, which means the story beats remain broad at this stage. The VFX and action glimpses, while ambitious, could benefit from more uniform polish, especially given the scale the film is aiming for.
That said, these are early impressions, and the overall intent remains clear.
Overall
“Raja Shivaji” positions itself as a large-scale theatrical event anchored in authenticity and cultural specificity. The decision to foreground the Marathi language and identity, both in the trailer and its launch, gives it a distinct edge.
The ambition is evident, the visual language is strong and the music adds impact. While the trailer holds back from delivering a knockout moment, it builds enough intrigue around scale, authenticity and intent.
"Raja Shivaji" is set for a May 1, 2026, release.
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