Riteish Deshmukh visits Dagadusheth temple to thank Lord Ganesha after Raja Shivaji success
Synopsis
Actor Riteish Deshmukh made a spiritual pilgrimage to Pune's Dagadusheth temple to thank Lord Ganesha for the roaring success of Raja Shivaji, which crossed ₹24 crore in just 2 days. The film, a decade in the making, features an ensemble cast and marks a significant moment for large-scale historical cinema centred on Marathi heritage.
Key Takeaways
Riteish Deshmukh visited Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple in Pune on 3 May to offer prayers following the success of Raja Shivaji .
Raja Shivaji collected approximately ₹24 crore within 2 days of its 1 May release.
The film took 10 years to develop, with intensive work over the last 3.5 years .
The ensemble cast includes Sanjay Dutt , Abhishek Bachchan , Vidya Balan , and Genelia Deshmukh .
Riteish's late father Vilasrao Deshmukh visited the temple annually, making it a family tradition.
Actor Riteish Deshmukh offered prayers at the renowned Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple in Pune on 3 May, marking a spiritual moment following the strong box-office performance of his historical action drama Raja Shivaji. The film, which released on 1 May, has collected approximately ₹24 crore within its opening 2 days.
A family tradition of devotion
During the visit, Riteish reflected on his family's connection to the temple, noting that his late father Vilasrao Deshmukh visited the shrine annually. "This is a very sacred temple. I try to come here every time. My father used to come here every year as well," Riteish said, underscoring the spiritual significance the site holds for his family.
A decade-long labour of love
The actor expressed gratitude for the audience's reception of Raja Shivaji, a film he described as the product of sustained effort. "The struggle for this film had been going on for the past 10 years. Especially in the last three and a half years, continuous work has been done on it," he explained. Riteish credited the dedication of the team in bringing the saga of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to the screen with meticulous attention.
Why the temple visit matters
The pilgrimage to Dagadusheth was a deliberate act of thanksgiving, Riteish indicated. "When people gave such a good response to this film, I came here to thank them for it, to bow my head at the feet of Lord Ganesha," he said. This follows a pattern of spiritual acknowledgment: Riteish and his wife Genelia Deshmukh had earlier sought blessings at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Temple in Biwandi, Thane.
Homecoming reception
Prior to the Pune temple visit, Riteish travelled to Latur, his hometown, where he received a warm public welcome. The actor's return to his roots underscores the personal stakes invested in Raja Shivaji, a film centred on the legendary Marathi warrior-king.
Cast and production backing
The ensemble drama is backed by Mumbai Film Company and Jio Studios, and features an extensive cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Boman Irani, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amol Gupte, and Genelia. The film's rapid box-office ascent signals strong audience appetite for large-scale historical narratives centred on Indian heritage figures.
Point of View
But the real test lies in sustaining momentum beyond the opening week. Whether Raja Shivaji can hold audience interest over a multi-week run, and whether it catalyses a broader trend toward heritage-centred narratives in Hindi-Marathi crossover cinema, remains to be seen.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Riteish Deshmukh visit Dagadusheth temple?
Riteish visited the temple to offer gratitude for the strong box-office response to his film Raja Shivaji, which released on 1 May and collected ₹24 crore in 2 days. He described it as a spiritual acknowledgment of the audience's love for the film.
What is the box-office collection of Raja Shivaji so far?
Raja Shivaji collected approximately ₹24 crore within 2 days of its release on 1 May, marking a strong opening for the historical action drama.
How long did it take to make Raja Shivaji?
The film took 10 years in development overall, with intensive work spanning the last 3 and a half years before its release, according to Riteish.
Who is in the cast of Raja Shivaji?
The ensemble cast includes Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Boman Irani, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amol Gupte, and Genelia Deshmukh.
Did Riteish's family have a connection to Dagadusheth temple?
Yes, Riteish's late father Vilasrao Deshmukh visited the temple every year, making it a family tradition of spiritual devotion.
