The teaser of Raja Shivaji, starring and directed by Riteish Deshmukh, has sparked a mixed reaction online, with several viewers expressing disappointment over the film’s first look. While the historical epic aims to showcase the life and legacy of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, many social media users criticised the teaser soon after its release, questioning the casting and Riteish’s portrayal of the iconic ruler.
The makers unveiled the 2-minute-31-second teaser on Tuesday (March 31), introducing audiences to the grand historical drama. However, despite the scale and star-studded cast, a section of viewers claimed that the teaser failed to live up to expectations surrounding the story of one of India’s most revered historical figures.
The teaser offers a glimpse into the world of the film and the political conflict between the Marathas and the Mughals. It begins with the death of the character played by Mahesh Manjrekar, after which Abhishek Bachchan appears as Sambhaji Shahaji Bhosale, introducing himself with a powerful dialogue.
Sanjay Dutt is shown playing a Mughal ruler determined to crush the Maratha empire, while the teaser showcases other characters played by Vidya Balan, Fardeen Khan, Boman Irani and Jitendra Joshi.
Riteish makes his appearance as Shivaji Maharaj in the latter half of the teaser, seen leading battles and taking down Mughal soldiers. His character is shown declaring the dream of Swarajya (self-rule) and vowing to free the land from Mughal dominance.
Raja Shivaji teaser receives mixed reactions
Despite the film’s ambitious scale and the presence of several prominent actors, reactions on social media have been divided. While some viewers praised the visuals and scale of the project, many others were not convinced by Riteish’s portrayal of the legendary warrior king.
Several netizens felt that the actor did not suit the role of Shivaji, with some pointing out that the casting felt misaligned with the larger-than-life image associated with the historical figure.
Apart from the criticism directed at Riteish’s performance, some users also commented on the teaser’s overall impact, saying it did not create the powerful impression typically associated with historical epics.
Some also stated that the title of the film should have been 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj'.
"As someone from Maharashtra, 'Chhatrapati' is not just a title — it represents sacrifice, leadership, and identity. Respectfully asking, could using 'Raja Shivaji' influence global audiences to miss that deeper significance of CHHATRAPATI ? @Riteishd sir?" asked a user on X.
"I'm sorry but Sharad Kelkar should've played Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj instead of Ritesh Deshmukh in 'Raja Shivaji'. Hindi movie industry did him dirty. He's stuck doing a daily soap on Zee 5," wrote another user.
Here's how others reacted:
The film also marks a collaboration between Riteish and his wife, actress Genelia Deshmukh, who appears in a key role. With a story centred on the rise of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the establishment of Swarajya, the film promises an action-heavy retelling of one of the most significant chapters in Indian history.
Despite the early criticism, fans of historical dramas are still curious to see how the film unfolds when it hits theatres. It is set to hit the big screens on May 1.
