top of page

By:

Bharati Dubey

17 May 2026 at 1:38:10 am

Raja Shivaji sparks a new era for Marathi cinema

Mumbai: As Raja Shivaji marches steadily towards the Rs 100 crore mark, the film has reignited debate around the future of the Marathi film industry. Having already crossed Rs 80 crore at the Indian box office, the historical drama is now only the second Marathi film after Sairat to achieve the milestone. Its success has raised a larger question within the trade: can a major blockbuster finally attract sustained investment into Marathi cinema, an industry often marked by cycles of growth and...

Raja Shivaji sparks a new era for Marathi cinema

Mumbai: As Raja Shivaji marches steadily towards the Rs 100 crore mark, the film has reignited debate around the future of the Marathi film industry. Having already crossed Rs 80 crore at the Indian box office, the historical drama is now only the second Marathi film after Sairat to achieve the milestone. Its success has raised a larger question within the trade: can a major blockbuster finally attract sustained investment into Marathi cinema, an industry often marked by cycles of growth and slowdown? Much of the buzz surrounding the film stems from the support it received from prominent Hindi film stars, several of whom reportedly came on board to back the project and the industry. Trade analyst Girish Wankhede believes the film’s biggest achievement lies in the scale of collaboration it represents. “The real strength of Raja Shivaji lies in its creative ensemble star cast, which Riteish Deshmukh successfully brought together. By roping in heavyweight Hindi stars like Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, and Salman Khan, the film showcases the immense combined value of cross-industry collaboration. This strong gesture of Hindi cinema’s biggest names extending full support to a Marathi project has created a powerful impression, generating tremendous curiosity and respect for Marathi cinema among audiences, investors, and other industries. It underscores how Marathi films can now command pan-Indian attention and star power,” he says. At the same time, Wankhede feels it may still be premature to call the film a runaway commercial success given its production scale and costs. “What is heartening is the visible new energy and creative fuel that Riteish Deshmukh has infused into Marathi cinema. With him at the helm of affairs, the film looks strong and polished, and this momentum, further amplified by the star support, is already drawing serious attention from investors who were earlier hesitant about the regional space,” he adds. Producer Suniel Wadhwa, Co-Founder and Director of Karmic Films, says the film’s performance could play an important role in rebuilding investor confidence in theatrical cinema. “The success of Raja Shivaji could significantly improve investor confidence in theatrical cinema, especially at a time when many non-film investors have become cautious about the sector. If the film succeeds as a large-scale theatrical event rather than just an opening weekend phenomenon, it will reinforce the belief that culturally rooted Indian stories still possess massive commercial potential across regions and demographics,” he says. However, Wadhwa points out that the industry continues to face deep structural challenges. “One of the biggest is the shortage of true theatrical stars who can create urgency for audiences to step into cinemas. Streaming has created visibility, but not necessarily ticket-selling mythology. At the same time, India remains heavily under-screened, and even strong films often struggle with inadequate show slots, limited showcasing windows, and overcrowded release calendars. Many films today are judged within the first 48–72 hours, leaving little room for organic word-of-mouth growth,” he says. According to him, the theatrical business is evolving rather than disappearing. “Audiences are now reserving cinema outings for event-driven experiences — spectacle, emotion, mythology, action, horror-comedy, and culturally resonant storytelling. Films that can create that collective viewing urgency will continue to attract both audiences and serious investment capital,” he adds. The Marathi film industry has witnessed a mixed year so far. More than two dozen films have released, but only a handful — including Raja Shivaji, Kranti Vidyalay Marathi Madhyam, Aga Aga Sunbai Mahnatay Sasubai, and Super Duper — have performed strongly at the box office. Veteran journalist Dilip Thakur believes Marathi cinema has already begun regaining momentum after the slowdown caused by the pandemic. “New Marathi films are getting launched regularly. The upcoming film Bapya had its screening at Sunny Super Sound, which was attended by non-Marathi journalists in big numbers. The story of Bapya is complex and difficult to make. The point here is that a producer agreed to put his money into the film. Sabar Bonda was another difficult subject which won an award at Sundance. So, producers willing to invest money in such subjects is one positive sign,” he says. Thakur also points to the continued appetite for mainstream Marathi entertainers. “The boom after Sairat still exists in Marathi cinema. There was a setback for four years because of Covid, but the industry has gained momentum. Ravi Jadhav’s new film Fulawara, based on tamasha folk art, will soon go on floors in Pune,” he says. He further notes that Marathi cinema is increasingly attracting investors from outside the industry. “Most Marathi films have non-Marathi investors. They are putting in money because there is business in Marathi cinema. But not every film becomes a hit. Subhash Ghai also produced a few Marathi films. If the subject is good, people are willing to invest,” he adds. Not everyone, however, is convinced that one major hit can alter the industry’s fortunes overnight. Nitin Datar, president of the Cinema Owners Association, remains cautious about reading too much into the film’s success. “Only one film success is not going to bring investors. In the last five years, out of nearly 500 films produced, the success rate has not been encouraging,” he says. Datar acknowledges that the presence of Hindi stars has helped boost the film’s commercial appeal but stresses that Marathi cinema still lacks enough bankable stars capable of consistently drawing audiences to theatres. “The production houses and directors have attracted audiences. Unfortunately, producers haven’t been successful in attracting financial assistance, which has resulted in low production and advertising budgets. But if films succeed in pulling audiences over the weekend, exhibitors automatically increase shows and reduce screenings of underperforming films from other languages. The audience is always there, waiting to visit theatres in large numbers for a good film,” he says. For now, Raja Shivaji has undeniably given Marathi cinema a strong moment in the spotlight. Whether that momentum translates into long-term financial confidence and sustained industry growth remains the larger question.

An Urgent Need for Vigilance Against Authoritarianism

Updated: Nov 7, 2024

Vigilance Against Authoritarianism

How Democracies Die, written by Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, winner of the Goldsmith Book Prize, received international acclaim. It also has the honour of being called one of the best books written by notable publications, like The Washington Post, Time magazine, and Foreign Affairs.


The book reflects on the gradual erosion of democratic principles and values in several countries across the globe in the twenty-first century. This includes the United States, especially after Donald Trump’s ascent to the U.S. presidency in 2016. Now that he is attempting to regain that seat, this book becomes even more relevant. It cites various examples of authoritarianism both globally and within the United States, urging us to 'protect the guardrails of democracy' from being undermined. By highlighting the tendencies of world leaders, political parties, and officials, such as judges, to usurp power and curtail democratic practices, it emphasises the urgent need for vigilance.


This book, apart from being relevant and prescient, cites eminent political scientist Juan Linz, who, in his seminal book called The Breakdown of Democratic Regimes, proposed a litmus test for identifying anti-democratic politicians. According to him, an authoritarian politician is one who: 1) rejects in words or actions the democratic rules of the game; 2) denies the legitimacy of opponents; 3) tolerates or encourages violence; or 4) indicates a willingness to curtail the civil liberties of opponents, including the media.


The authors are of the firm opinion that the responsibility for preventing authoritarians from assuming power lies with political parties and party leaders—both of whom are democracy’s gatekeepers. Successful gatekeeping involves several key actions. One such method is “distancing,” a term coined by political scientist Nancy Bermeo. This strategy allows pro-democratic parties to prevent would-be authoritarians from appearing on party ballots during elections by refraining from nominating candidates who, despite their ability to attract votes, hold extremist views.


Secondly, parties can root out extremists at the grassroots of their own ranks. Third, pro-democratic parties should avoid all alliances or coalitions with anti-democratic parties and candidates, even if the latter could win them votes. Fourth, pro-democratic parties should act to systematically isolate rather than legitimise extremists. In Venezuela, ex-President Rafael Caldera, one of the founders of Venezuelan democracy, made the mistake of supporting and dropping treason charges against Hugo Chavez, an authoritarian, to boost public support for himself. In doing so, he legitimised an authoritarian and later opened the country’s presidential post to him.


Finally, when extremist parties emerge as serious electoral contenders, mainstream parties must forge a united front to defeat them. In Linz’s words, they must be willing to “join with opponents ideologically distant but committed to the survival of the democratic order.” Even though this might be almost inconceivable in normal times, in extraordinary times courageous party leadership implies putting democracy and country before party and explaining to voters what is at stake.


This book was written in 2019 when President Trump was in power. To quote the authors: “Opposition to the Trump administration’s authoritarian behaviour should be muscular, but it should seek to preserve rather than violate democratic rules and norms. Where possible, the opposition should centre on Congress, the courts, and, of course, elections. If Trump is defeated via democratic institutions, it will strengthen these institutions.”


“Protest should be viewed in a similar way. Public protest is a basic right and an important activity in any democracy, but its aim should be the defense of rights and institutions rather than their disruption.”


The authors end by stating, “History shows us that it is possible to reconcile democracy with diversity…Previous generations of Europeans and Americans made extraordinary sacrifices to defend our democratic institutions against powerful external threats. Our generation, which grew up taking democracy for granted, now faces a different task: We must prevent it from dying from within.”


This book serves as a beacon not only to American and European democracies but also to democratic systems the world over. An exciting and stupendous read packed with real-life examples and information, it will make the reader reflect and take notice.


(The author is an independent researcher. Views personal.)

Comments

bottom of page