Rishab Shetty's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj film gets global action team
Synopsis
A ₹500 crore, two-part epic on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — starring National Award winner Rishab Shetty — has recruited the action teams behind Game of Thrones, The Witcher, and The Fate of the Furious. It is one of the most ambitious international production assemblies ever for an Indian historical film.
Key Takeaways
Rishab Shetty will play Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the ₹500 crore two-part epic 'The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj' .
International action coordinator Mark Henson ( Game of Thrones , The Witcher , Gravity ) leads the global action team.
Vlad Rimburg ( The Fate of the Furious , Lucifer ) and Craig Macrae ( Troy: Fall of a City ) complete the trio.
Arjun Rampal and Vivek Oberoi play pivotal roles alongside Shetty.
Producer Sandeep Singh 's previous credits include Mary Kom , Jhund , and Swatantrya Veer Savarkar .
No release date has been announced for either part of the saga.
Rishab Shetty's much-anticipated historical epic 'The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj' has assembled a world-class international action crew to craft its battle sequences, producer Sandeep Singh announced on 20 July. The ₹500 crore two-part cinematic saga will see Shetty portray the legendary Maratha warrior king alongside Arjun Rampal and Vivek Oberoi in pivotal roles.
The Global Action Team
Leading the action unit is Mark Henson, a veteran whose credits span some of the most visually ambitious productions in recent television and film history — including Game of Thrones, Vikings, The Witcher, and Gravity. Joining him is Vlad Rimburg, known for his work on The Fate of the Furious, Bloodshot, and Lucifer. Rounding out the trio is Craig Macrae, whose international portfolio includes Troy: Fall of a City.
According to a statement from the makers, the team's combined expertise is intended to deliver battle choreography on a scale that can resonate with global audiences while honouring the military brilliance of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Scale and Vision
Budgeted at a reported ₹500 crore, the project is envisioned as a two-part saga — placing it among the most expensive Indian productions in recent memory. The makers have framed the film not merely as a biographical tribute but as a showcase of Indian storytelling on the world stage, with the international action crew signalling a deliberate push toward global cinematic standards.
Notably, this is the first major historical epic to cast Rishab Shetty — who won the National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Kantara — in a period role of this magnitude. The choice aligns with the commercial and cultural momentum Shetty has built since Kantara became one of Indian cinema's biggest crossover successes.
About the Lead and Producer
Rishab Shetty made his acting debut with Tuglak in 2012 and went on to appear in Ulidavaru Kandante before making his directorial debut with Ricky. His work on the Kantara franchise remains his highest-grossing directorial achievement to date.
Producer Sandeep Singh brings a track record of biographical and patriotic productions, including Mary Kom, Aligarh, Sarabjit, Bhoomi, PM Narendra Modi, and Jhund. His most recent release was Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, a biographical drama on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar starring Randeep Hooda.
What to Watch
No release date has been announced yet for either part of the saga. With a ₹500 crore budget and an international action team now confirmed, the production is shaping up as one of the most ambitious Indian historical films ever mounted. Industry observers will be watching whether the film can translate its scale into the kind of global theatrical run that the makers are clearly targeting.
Point of View
Not just domestic box office. At ₹500 crore across two parts, the financial stakes are unprecedented for an Indian historical. The real question is whether the film can translate spectacle into storytelling: Rishab Shetty's Kantara succeeded precisely because its scale served character, not the other way around. Sandeep Singh's track record leans toward reverence over complexity in biographical subjects — how that tendency plays out with a figure as contested and celebrated as Shivaji Maharaj will define whether this becomes a landmark or a lavish missed opportunity.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is starring in 'The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj'?
National Award-winning actor Rishab Shetty plays the title role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Arjun Rampal and Vivek Oberoi are also confirmed in pivotal roles.
Who are the international action coordinators on the film?
The action team comprises Mark Henson (Game of Thrones, The Witcher, Gravity), Vlad Rimburg (The Fate of the Furious, Lucifer), and Craig Macrae (Troy: Fall of a City). Together they are designing the film's large-scale battle sequences.
What is the budget of 'The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj'?
The film is reportedly budgeted at ₹500 crore and is structured as a two-part cinematic saga, placing it among the most expensive Indian productions ever mounted.
Who is producing the film?
Sandeep Singh is producing the film. He is known for biographical and patriotic productions such as Mary Kom, Sarabjit, Jhund, and the recent Swatantrya Veer Savarkar starring Randeep Hooda.
What is Rishab Shetty best known for?
Rishab Shetty is best known for the Kantara franchise, which earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and became one of Indian cinema's biggest crossover successes. He made his acting debut with Tuglak in 2012.
