Actor Vivek Oberoi has publicly expressed his eagerness to collaborate with Rishab Shetty, sharing a heartfelt birthday message for the Kannada superstar on 7 July as Shetty turned 43. The post has amplified buzz around their upcoming shared project, the historical epic 'The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj'.

What Vivek Oberoi Said

In an Instagram post, Oberoi described Shetty's cinema as 'a portal that leads to true, uncompromising passion.' He wrote: 'Brother, you have rewritten the rules of a game with soil, fire, and a vision that refuses to be contained by boundaries.' Oberoi further added, 'To a master craftsman who pours his absolute blood, sweat, and spirit into everything he does, I wish you a phenomenal birthday and an even more successful year ahead. May the divine energies within you continue to ignite the screen, and I can't wait for us to create something epic together soon!'

Oberoi also shared candid images from an event, featuring the two sharing a laugh — a rare public glimpse of the pair's off-screen chemistry ahead of their on-screen face-off.

The Film That Brings Them Together

The two actors are set to headline 'The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj', a two-part historical magnum opus directed and produced by Sandeep Singh. The film chronicles the life, strategic brilliance, and self-rule vision of the legendary Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Rishab Shetty will portray the iconic warrior king, while Vivek Oberoi will essay the role of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The star-studded cast also includes Shefali Shah as Jijamata, Shivaji Maharaj's mother, and Arjun Rampal in a key role. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 21 January 2027, across more than 40 countries in multiple languages.

Rishab Shetty: Rooted in Kannada Cinema

Following the massive pan-India success of his blockbuster 'Kantara', Shetty reportedly received numerous offers from Bollywood but chose to remain rooted in the Kannada film industry. It is being reported that he prioritised stories reflecting his culture and regional identity — a decision that has only deepened his credibility as a filmmaker and actor with a distinct artistic voice.

Notably, his willingness to step into the pan-India space for the Shivaji Maharaj project signals a carefully considered expansion rather than a commercial pivot.

What to Watch

With the 21 January 2027 release date approaching, the film's multilingual, multi-country rollout positions it as one of the most ambitious Indian historical productions in recent memory. The casting of Shetty opposite Oberoi — representing two distinct cinematic traditions — adds a compelling layer of narrative and cultural stakes to the project.