Rahyl Deshmukh turns 10: Riteish and Genelia's heartfelt birthday wishes
Synopsis
Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh flooded social media with birthday love for son Rahyl, who turns 10 — and who has already made his acting debut playing a young Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his father's directorial, Raja Shivaji. The family moment is also a professional milestone: a 10-year-old stepping into one of Indian cinema's most ambitious historical productions.
Key Takeaways
Rahyl Deshmukh turned 10 on Monday, 1 June .
Riteish Deshmukh shared a birthday post calling Rahyl 'full of effervescence, charm, and wit.' Genelia Deshmukh called Rahyl a 'strong leader' and signed off as his 'Fan Forever.' Rahyl plays the young Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the historical drama Raja Shivaji , written and directed by Riteish.
The film features Sanjay Dutt , Abhishek Bachchan , Vidya Balan , and Fardeen Khan , among others.
Actor Riteish Deshmukh and actress Genelia Deshmukh marked a milestone on Monday, 1 June as their younger son Rahyl Deshmukh celebrated his 10th birthday. The occasion carried extra significance this year, coming shortly after Rahyl made his acting debut in the historical drama Raja Shivaji.
Riteish's Birthday Message
Sharing a still from Raja Shivaji on a photo-sharing app, Riteish posted a warm note addressed directly to his son. 'Rayo, I love you. You are truly an incredible boy — full of effervescence, charm, and wit. I hope you always carry the child within you, even as you grow older each year. Happy happiest 10th birthday, my son!' he wrote, calling Rahyl 'charming and enthusiastic'. Veteran actress Bhagyashree, who plays Jijabai in the film, also joined in, commenting: 'Happy birthday dear Mowgli 1.'
Genelia's Tribute to Her Son
Genelia, who is referred to as 'Aai' (mother) by Rahyl, shared her own post expressing admiration for her son's fearless spirit. 'There's something about you Rahyl... As your Aai — I look at you and I want to be you — full of life, a strong leader, someone who gives fearlessness a new meaning and someone who brings a smile to everyone you ever interact with. Don't change for anything in the world Rahyl. Your Fan Forever — Aai,' she wrote. The proud mother added that she sometimes finds herself wanting to embody Rahyl's openness to exploring life.
Rahyl's Acting Debut in Raja Shivaji
In Raja Shivaji, Rahyl portrays the young Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — the founder of the Maratha Empire — while his father Riteish plays the titular adult role. The film, written and directed by Riteish, is a cinematic adaptation of Shivaji's life and features a star-studded ensemble. Sanjay Dutt appears as Afzal Khan, Abhishek Bachchan as Sambhaji Shahaji Bhosale, Vidya Balan as Khadija Sultana, Genelia Deshmukh as Saibai, Mahesh Manjrekar as Lakhuji Jadhav, Fardeen Khan as Shah Jahan, and Sachin Khedekar as Shahaji Bhosale.
A Family Milestone
Rahyl's birthday doubles as a moment of reflection for both parents, who are navigating the unusual experience of watching their child step into professional cinema at such a young age. Notably, the role connects the Deshmukh family to one of Maharashtra's most celebrated historical narratives. With Raja Shivaji generating considerable anticipation, Rahyl's debut is likely to draw wide attention when the film releases.
Point of View
But the subtext is more interesting: a Bollywood couple has cast their own 10-year-old in a prestige historical epic, handing him the role of a young Shivaji — one of Maharashtra's most revered figures. The casting choice is either a bold creative decision or a calculated one; either way, it places enormous expectation on a child actor. Whether Raja Shivaji lives up to its ambition will determine whether Rahyl's debut is remembered as a charming cameo or the beginning of a genuine career.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Rahyl Deshmukh in 2025?
Rahyl Deshmukh turned 10 on 1 June 2025. He is the younger son of actors Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh.
What is Rahyl Deshmukh's role in Raja Shivaji?
Rahyl plays the young Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the historical drama Raja Shivaji. His father Riteish Deshmukh portrays the adult Shivaji and also wrote and directed the film.
What did Riteish Deshmukh write for Rahyl's birthday?
Riteish shared a still from Raja Shivaji and wrote: 'Rayo, I love you. You are truly an incredible boy — full of effervescence, charm, and wit. I hope you always carry the child within you, even as you grow older each year. Happy happiest 10th birthday, my son!'
What did Genelia Deshmukh post for Rahyl's birthday?
Genelia wrote that she sometimes wants to be like Rahyl — fearless and full of life — and called him a 'strong leader.' She signed the post as his 'Fan Forever — Aai.'
Who else stars in Raja Shivaji?
The film features Sanjay Dutt as Afzal Khan, Abhishek Bachchan as Sambhaji Shahaji Bhosale, Vidya Balan as Khadija Sultana, Genelia Deshmukh as Saibai, Fardeen Khan as Shah Jahan, and Sachin Khedekar as Shahaji Bhosale, among others.
