Rishab Shetty to play Shivaji Maharaj in two-part epic

Rishab Shetty is stepping into one of Indian history’s most celebrated roles. The Kannada star will play Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a two-part historical epic backed by Bhushan Kumar and filmmaker Sandeep Singh.

Presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series Films, the project is a T-Series Films and Legend Studios production. Sandeep Singh will direct, with Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar producing. The team expects to begin filming in early 2027 and is currently in pre-production.

What the two-part saga will cover

The film will chronicle Shivaji Maharaj’s life, his key battles and victories, and the sacrifices and lesser-known episodes that shaped his legacy. His military mind, fearless leadership and determination to establish Swarajya will be central to the story. A two-part structure gives the makers room to explore both the scale of the battles and the more intimate, lesser-told moments.

As a gesture to mark the association, Bhushan Kumar presented Rishab Shetty with a painting of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that is over a century old.

The team behind the epic

Alongside Rishab Shetty in the title role, earlier reports have linked Bhumi Pednekar, Arjun Rampal and Vivek Oberoi to the project. The makers say the film will feature a large ensemble cast and a crew comprising Indian and international talent.

• Film: The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
• Structure: Two parts
• Director: Sandeep Singh
• Producers: Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar
• Writers: Rishi Virmani and Sandeep Singh
• Shoot: Early 2027

Why this announcement matters

Historical dramas are among the most ambitious bets in Indian cinema right now, and Shivaji Maharaj’s story carries deep cultural resonance. Putting Rishab Shetty at the centre signals a casting choice built on presence and intensity rather than just scale. Bhushan Kumar said the opportunity left him with “a deep sense of responsibility” to share the story with the world.

“For T-Series, this is more than a film; it is a tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his timeless legacy,” he said. The producers also see the two-part format as a way to bring the courage and spirit of Swarajya to audiences across generations.

Because the shoot does not begin until early 2027, there is a long runway for casting and visual-development updates. The makers have said the intention is to bring lesser-known aspects of Shivaji Maharaj’s life to the forefront, so the promotional beats may lean educational as much as spectacular.

Source: Hindustan Times

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#Bhushan Kumar#Bollywood#Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj#historical epic#Pride of Bharat#Rishab Shetty#Sandeep Singh#T-Series