Rishab Shetty to play Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in two-part epic with T-Series
Synopsis
Rishab Shetty, fresh off Kantara's cultural phenomenon, is now set to embody Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in a two-part epic backed by T-Series's Bhushan Kumar — one of the most potent creative-commercial partnerships Indian cinema has seen. With floors opening in early 2027, this could be the genre-defining historical spectacle a post-Baahubali audience has been waiting for.
Key Takeaways
Rishab Shetty will headline 'The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj' , a two-part historical epic announced on 30 October 2026 .
The film is backed by T-Series , with Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar producing and Sandeep Singh directing.
The narrative will cover defining battles, Swarajya, and lesser-known chapters from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's life.
The project features an ensemble cast and a creative team from India and overseas, mounted on an expansive scale.
Pre-production is underway; the film is scheduled to go on floors in early 2027 .
Actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty has been roped in to headline a sweeping two-part historical epic titled 'The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj', with T-Series chief Bhushan Kumar and producer-director Sandeep Singh joining forces to bring the Maratha king's story to the big screen. The announcement was made on 30 October 2026 in Mumbai, marking one of the most ambitious Indian period-film collaborations in recent years.
The Project and Its Scope
The film will be presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series Films as a T-Series Films and Legend Studios production. Directed by Sandeep Singh and written by Rishi Virmani and Sandeep Singh, the two-part saga is produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar, with Rishab Shetty, Shiv Chanana, and Kabiir Sadanand serving as co-producers. The narrative is set to explore defining battles, landmark victories, and lesser-known chapters from the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, focusing on his military genius, strategic foresight, and transformative vision of Swarajya.
Why Rishab Shetty
The choice of Shetty is significant — the Kantara director-actor demonstrated a singular ability to anchor mythological and cultural narratives with authenticity, drawing massive pan-India audiences. That track record appears central to the producers' confidence in casting him. Notably, Bhushan Kumar marked the collaboration by honouring Shetty with a century-old painting of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, signalling the reverence the team attaches to the project.
What Bhushan Kumar Said
Speaking about the film, Bhushan Kumar said: 'Maharashtra and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have given us a legacy to be proud of, and I believe it is our responsibility to honour that legacy through cinema and share it with the world. When Sandeep Singh narrated 'The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj', I felt a deep sense of responsibility to bring this extraordinary story to the big screen. With Rishab Shetty's powerful screen presence and his ability to bring legendary figures to life, I believe we have the right combination to bring the courage, vision and spirit of Swarajya to audiences across generations. For T-Series, this is more than a film; it is a tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his timeless legacy.'
Scale and Production Timeline
The film is reportedly being mounted on an expansive scale, with an ensemble cast and a creative team drawing talent from both India and overseas. Pre-production is currently underway, and the film is scheduled to go on floors in early 2027. The makers have said they aim to create an immersive cinematic experience that introduces this significant chapter of Indian history to audiences across generations.
Broader Context
The announcement comes amid a wave of large-scale Indian historical epics — from the Mahabharat reboots to the Baahubali legacy — that have reset audience expectations and box-office benchmarks for the genre. A two-part structure, now a proven format for high-stakes Indian productions, signals that the makers are positioning this as a franchise-scale event rather than a standalone release. With Shetty's cultural credibility and T-Series's distribution muscle, 'The Pride of Bharat' enters development as one of the most-watched film projects on the Indian film industry's horizon.
Point of View
Attaching him to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a calculated bet that his credibility will transfer to a Maratha epic. The two-part structure and the overseas talent pool signal that the makers are chasing a global theatrical event, not just a domestic blockbuster. Yet the graveyard of ambitious Shivaji biopics is well-documented; reverence alone has never guaranteed a coherent screenplay or a release date. The real test will come when casting beyond Shetty is announced and the script faces scrutiny from Maharashtra's politically charged historical discourse.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is playing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 'The Pride of Bharat'?
Rishab Shetty, the actor-filmmaker known for Kantara, has been announced as the lead in 'The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj'. The two-part historical epic is produced by Bhushan Kumar and directed by Sandeep Singh.
When will 'The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj' go on floors?
The film is scheduled to begin principal photography in early 2027. Pre-production is currently underway, with the creative team drawing talent from both India and overseas.
Who is producing and directing the Shivaji Maharaj film?
The film is directed by Sandeep Singh and produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar under T-Series Films and Legend Studios. Rishab Shetty, Shiv Chanana, and Kabiir Sadanand are co-producers.
What will 'The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj' cover?
The two-part saga will explore defining battles, landmark victories, sacrifices, and lesser-known chapters from the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It will focus on his military genius, strategic foresight, and his vision of Swarajya.
What is the significance of Rishab Shetty being chosen for this film?
Rishab Shetty is known for his ability to anchor culturally rooted narratives, most notably with Kantara. Producer Bhushan Kumar cited his 'powerful screen presence and his ability to bring legendary figures to life' as the reason for the collaboration.
