Bhumi Pednekar to play warrior queen Belawadi Mallamma in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj film
Synopsis
Bhumi Pednekar's casting as Karnataka's warrior queen Belawadi Mallamma in Sandeep Singh's two-part Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj epic is the latest signal that this production is aiming for unprecedented scale — a Hollywood action unit, a Kantara star, and a National Award-winning lyricist all on board before cameras have even rolled.
Key Takeaways
Bhumi Pednekar has been cast as Belawadi Mallamma , Karnataka's warrior queen, in 'The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj' .
The film also stars Rishab Shetty , Arjun Rampal , and Vivek Oberoi .
Directed and produced by Sandeep Singh , the project is structured as a two-part saga .
Music is by Amit Trivedi ; lyrics by National Award-winning lyricist Prasoon Joshi ; screenplay by Rishi Virmani .
An international action team including Mark Henson ( Game of Thrones , Gravity ), Vlad Rimburg , and Craig Macrae was announced on 20 July .
Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar has been cast as Belawadi Mallamma — Karnataka's celebrated warrior queen — in the ambitious historical epic 'The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj', the makers announced on 27 July. The film marks the first Indian cinematic production of this scale dedicated to the life and legacy of the great Maratha ruler.
The Role and What It Means
Pednekar will portray Belawadi Mallamma, a fearless queen remembered for her courage and defiant spirit in the face of adversity. The casting places her alongside a high-profile ensemble that includes Rishab Shetty, Arjun Rampal, and Vivek Oberoi, among others.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Pednekar said: 'I'm deeply honoured to be part of the first-ever Indian cinematic spectacle of this scale on the life and legacy of the great Maratha warrior-king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It's a privilege for me to play Karnataka's brave warrior queen Belawadi Mallamma and to bring her to life on screen.'
Why Pednekar Said Yes
The actress revealed that her admiration for Rishab Shetty's work in the blockbuster Kantara was a decisive factor. 'I am a huge Kantara fan, and the stunning performance by Rishab Shetty blew me away; hence, the moment Sandeep narrated the film, the actor in me instantly said yes. This is unlike anything I've done before, and I'm grateful to the makers for seeing me in a completely new light,' she said.
The Creative Team Behind the Film
Directed and produced by Sandeep Singh, the film is planned as a two-part saga. The screenplay has been written by Rishi Virmani, with music composed by Amit Trivedi and lyrics penned by National Award-winning lyricist Prasoon Joshi.
On 20 July, it was announced that Singh had assembled an acclaimed international action unit to craft the film's battle sequences. The team includes Mark Henson — known for Game of Thrones, Vikings, The Witcher, and Gravity — alongside Vlad Rimburg, whose credits span The Fate of the Furious, Bloodshot, and Lucifer, and Craig Macrae, noted for his work on Troy: Fall of a City.
Scale and Significance
The production's ambition is underscored by its cross-industry talent pool — blending Bollywood veterans, a pan-India star in Shetty fresh off Kantara's cultural phenomenon, and a Hollywood-calibre action team. Notably, historical epics centred on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj carry deep cultural weight across Maharashtra and beyond, making casting choices and creative decisions especially closely watched. With a two-part structure, the film signals intent to rival the scale of recent Indian mega-productions. All eyes will be on the first look and release timeline as the project moves into production.
Point of View
And a historical warrior queen is precisely that pivot. For Sandeep Singh, anchoring a female lead with mainstream Bollywood recognition alongside Rishab Shetty — whose post-Kantara pull in South India is undeniable — is a deliberate attempt to build pan-India appeal. The real question is whether the two-part structure can sustain narrative momentum and whether the international action team's Hollywood sensibility will complement or clash with the cultural gravitas that a Shivaji Maharaj epic demands from its Indian audience.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Belawadi Mallamma, the character Bhumi Pednekar will play?
Belawadi Mallamma was a historical warrior queen from Karnataka, remembered for her courage and defiant spirit. She is a significant figure in the broader narrative of the Maratha era and will be portrayed by Bhumi Pednekar in the film.
What is 'The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj' about?
It is a two-part historical epic on the life and legacy of Maratha warrior-king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, directed and produced by Sandeep Singh. The film features an ensemble cast and an international action team, and is described as the first Indian cinematic production of this scale on the subject.
Who else is in the cast of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj film?
The film stars Rishab Shetty, Arjun Rampal, and Vivek Oberoi, among others, alongside Bhumi Pednekar. The full cast has not been announced in its entirety.
Who is directing and producing 'The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj'?
The film is directed and produced by Sandeep Singh. The screenplay is by Rishi Virmani, with music by Amit Trivedi and lyrics by National Award-winning lyricist Prasoon Joshi.
What international talent is involved in the film's action sequences?
Filmmaker Sandeep Singh announced on 20 July that the action unit includes Mark Henson (Game of Thrones, Gravity), Vlad Rimburg (The Fate of the Furious, Lucifer), and Craig Macrae (Troy: Fall of a City), bringing Hollywood-level stunt and battle choreography to the production.
