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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.

MMRDA budget: Rs 40,187 cr for infra

87 per cent of funds allocated for infrastructure development; momentum to metro, coastal routes, and new projects

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Friday presented its budget estimate for the year 2025–26 amounting to Rs 40,187.41 crore. To enhance and deliver world-class urban services and infrastructure to the citizens of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Rs 35,151.14 crore — approximately 87 per cent of the total expenditure — has been earmarked exclusively for infrastructure projects. These include metro line extensions, construction of new tunnels, coastal routes, regional water source development, and major urban infrastructure works.


Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee presented the budget approved by MMRDA Chairman Eknath Shinde. The estimated revenue for FY 2025–26 stands at Rs 36,938.69 crore. This budget is expected to accelerate integrated, balanced, and fast-paced development in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, reduce travel time and distances, and ease traffic congestion.


New Projects Initiated in FY 2025–26

Extension of Metro Line 5: Durgadi (Kalyan) to Ulhasnagar

Metro Line 10: Gaimukh to Shivaji Chowk (Mira Road)

Metro line 13: Shivaji Chowk to Virar

Metro Line 14: Kanjurmarg to Badlapur

Gaimukh to Fountain Hotel Junction Tunnel Road- Part 1

Design and construction of Elevated Road between Fountain Hotel to- Bhayandar

Airoli Tunnel to Katai Naka Road (Part 3) — 6.71 km road stretch

Under Extended Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project (Extn. MUIP)


Allocation of funds to major projects

Metro line 2B: DN Nagar – Mandale: Rs 2,155.80

Metro line 4: Wadala – Ghatkopar – Mulund – Thane – Kasarvadavali: Rs 3,247.51

Metro line 5: Thane – Bhiwandi – Kalya: Rs 1,579.99

Metro line 6: Swami Samarth Nagar – Kanjurmarg: Rs 1,303.40

Metro line 9: Dahisar to Mira–Bhayandar& Line 7A (Andheri to CSMIA): Rs 1,182.93

Metro Line 12: Kalyan – Taloja: Rs 1,500.00

Implementation of Extended Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project: Rs 521.47

Four-lane underground tunnel: Thane to Borivali (via SGNP): Rs 2,684.00

Coastal connectivity underground tunnel: Orange Gate,

Eastern Freeway to Marine Drive: Rs 1,813.40

Uttan to Virar Coastal Project: Rs 2,000.00

Regional water source development (Surya, Kalu, Dherji Projects): Rs 1,645.00

Underground tunnel from Gaimukh to Fountain Hotel Junction

on Thane-Ghodbunder Road: Rs1,200.00

Elevated road from Fountain Hotel Junction to Bhayander: Rs 1,000.00

KSC Navi Nagar Project (Karnala–Sai–Chirner – NTDA): Rs 1,000.00


QUOTES

"The Mumbai Metropolitan Region is the backbone of Maharashtra’s economic development. The ongoing infrastructure projects across MMR are accelerating the state’s growth trajectory.”

Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister


"Our top priority is the all-round and fast-paced development of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. This budget ensures inclusive progress across all sectors — from new metro corridors to water resource projects. MMRDA’s plans will position Mumbai as a global economic hub. The 2025–26 budget is a visionary and comprehensive document for the multidimensional growth of MMR.”

Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister


"The budget for 2025–26 is future-ready. Over `35,000 crore has been directly allocated for projects. From metro expansions and underground tunnels to water resource development and economic hubs, these initiatives are vital for MMR’s growth. This is not just a financial document — it is the blueprint for MMR’s future."

Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner

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