The makers of Raja Shivaji unveiled its trailer at a grand event in Mumbai on April 20, offering a stirring glimpse into the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The opening moments feature a young Shivaji speaking about swaraj, setting a powerful tone for the narrative. The child playing this crucial role is Rahyl Deshmukh, son of Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh, marking his acting debut with the ambitious historical drama.
Rahyl Deshmukh makes his debut
Born in 2016, Rahyl is the younger son of Riteish and Genelia, while his elder brother Riaan Deshmukh was born in 2014. Now stepping into the spotlight, Rahyl is set to follow in his parents’ footsteps with his debut in Raja Shivaji. The trailer offers a glimpse of the 10-year-old portraying a young Shivaji, delivering dialogues about swaraj with impressive confidence.
A powerful trailer glimpse
The trailer showcases how seamlessly Riteish Deshmukh transforms into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, while Genelia Deshmukh portrays his wife, Saibai. It transitions from Rahyl’s portrayal of the young warrior to Riteish’s commanding presence as the king. The visuals also highlight intense battle sequences, particularly Shivaji’s clashes with the Mughals as he strives to establish Swarajya.
About the film
Written, directed, and co-produced by Riteish Deshmukh, Raja Shivaji chronicles the life and legacy of the Maratha Empire’s founder. The film is backed by Jyoti Deshpande of Jio Studios and co-produced by Genelia Deshmukh under Mumbai Film Company.
The epic historical drama features a star-studded ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amol Gupte, and a special appearance by Salman Khan.
The film is slated to release in theatres on May 1, 2026, coinciding with Maharashtra Day.