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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.

Manoj Patil to hunger strike from May 30

Mumbai: The simmering discontent surrounding the Maratha reservation issue is poised to boil over once again, casting a long shadow over the state’s political landscape. Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil has officially blown the bugle for a renewed, aggressive agitation, announcing an indefinite hunger strike set to commence on May 30. Addressing a massive gathering of supporters at Antarwali Sarati today, a visibly moved Jarange Patil laid bare his frustrations with the state government, accusing the administration of severe apathy, broken promises, and deliberate political sabotage against the Maratha community.


Speaking to a sea of supporters who had gathered to chart the future course of the movement, Jarange Patil stated that his heart was full looking at the overwhelming turnout. “The poor Maratha community has entrusted me with this responsibility with great faith, and I am determined to ensure their welfare,” he declared.


The activist made it unequivocally clear that the issue of reservation will not be abandoned under any circumstances. “I am ready to work my fingers to the bone and offer my life at your feet for this cause. The Maratha community has fought relentlessly without ever retreating,” he proclaimed, recalling how the community brought Mumbai to life with its sheer ideological strength and unity during previous protests.


Stalled Certificates

At the core of Jarange Patil’s renewed offensive is the state government’s failure to deliver on its institutional assurances. He pointedly highlighted that even after eight months, the promise to implement the Satara Gazette remains completely unfulfilled. The activist questioned the government’s apparent reluctance to issue a Government Resolution (GR) recognizing the historical records of the Satara and Kolhapur princely states, demanding that a GR be passed strictly on the lines of the 1994 framework.


“The government is deliberately dodging the issuance of Kunbi certificates,” he alleged. Issuing a stern ultimatum, Jarange Patil demanded the immediate distribution of the stalled Kunbi certificates before the May 30 deadline. “If the certificates are not given by the date of the agitation, there will be no respite for the government. Give the Kunbi certificates and win the hearts of the Marathas,” he challenged, warning the establishment that he would not let the community suffer a loss even if fifty generations of the ruling class were to come into power.


Blaming CM

The political temperature soared as Jarange Patil took direct aim at the state leadership, specifically targeting Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. While he initially maintained a rhetorical balance by stating, “I do not blame Devendra Fadnavis,” he immediately followed up with a sharp accusation, asking, “Why were the subsequent certificates stopped? The poor Maratha is highly intelligent, do not forget that. The Kunbi certificates were stopped by Fadnavis himself.” He clarified that he is not a personal opponent of Fadnavis but insisted that he has a moral obligation to speak the bitter truth to his people.


Taking the confrontation a step further, Jarange Patil unleashed a bombshell allegation of political sabotage. He claimed that a state minister had hatched a plot to derail the agitation by offering a staggering two crore rupees to a rival organization to launch a smear campaign against him. “They decided to give crores to speak against me. But the very people who were offered the money came directly to me and exposed it,” he revealed. “I do not earn money by lying; the gang that makes money operates elsewhere. No matter how many tricks you play, I will not abandon this fight.”


No Alignment

Beyond specific administrative grievances, Jarange Patil is actively working to shift the socio-political dynamics of the Maratha community. In a significant strategic move, he explicitly warned his supporters against aligning with established political parties. “If you stay on the side of political parties, it will ruin the future of your children,” he cautioned. He expressed immense satisfaction that the Maratha community is no longer looking toward traditional politicians for salvation but is instead carving its own path out of the crisis. “I am happy that the Maratha society has changed. We don’t have rupees, which is why the moneyed politicians don’t come to us. But we are finding our own way out.”


As the May 30 deadline looms, the state government finds itself backed into a corner. Manoj Jarange Patil’s uncompromising stance at Antarwali Sarati today signals that the upcoming agitation will be intense and deeply disruptive if the state machinery fails to act swiftly. For the government, the clock is ticking, and the threat of a paralyzed administrative apparatus is now more real than ever.


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