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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.

Pawar's strategic suspense over MVA’s poll fate

NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar during a press conference in Nagpur on Saturday. Pic: PTI
NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar during a press conference in Nagpur on Saturday. Pic: PTI

Mumbai: NCP (SP) Chief Sharad Pawar maintained suspense over the fate of Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) post Shiv Sena (UBT) joining hands with Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).


Pawar, who addressed a press conference at Nagpur on Saturday skipped questions on whether MNS would be a part of the MVA.


“Let them come together first. We shall decide on what to do after that,” Pawar said while dodging the questions related to the MNS and the MVA.


While Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS have been cozying up after the agitation thwarting compulsion of Hindi as third language in the state-run primary schools in Maharashtra and are expected to contest the forthcoming local body elections in alliance, the political circles are rife with speculations about the fate of the MVA. While the Congress has expressed its displeasure over prospects of MNS joining hands with Shiv Sena (UBT) and subsequently the MVA, Pawar hasn’t revealed his party’s stand over the issue.


Sharad Pawar and the state Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal had avoided participating in the ‘victory rally’ at Worli about a month ago where Thackeray brothers Uddhav and Raj shared dais for the first time almost after two decades. Though some of the second-third rank leaders from the NCP (SP) and the Congress attended the event, all of them sat in the audience until they were called on stage at the end.


Questions over existence

Political analysts said the absence of Pawar and Sakpal was an indication that for the BMC and other local body polls, the MVA may not exist in its current form.


The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS might have an alliance, while the Congress and NCP (SP) were likely to have an alliance while taking along other MVA constituents like the Samajwadi Party (SP) into their front.


With Raj’s hardline ‘Marathi manoos’ and earlier anti-north Indian stand, and also the hardline Hindutva stand, especially on the issue of loudspeakers on mosques, the Congress and NCP (SP) would want to stay away from the Thackeray brothers or face the risk of losing their Muslim, North Indian, South Indian, and Dalit vote in local body polls.


Also, with Raj's MNS in the alliance, seat sharing in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Thane, and other cities in the MMR would be difficult within the MVA. Hence, it is assumed that the Congress and Pawar deliberately kept away from the victory rally so that they are not seen as playing second fiddle for the BMC and other local body polls.


According to analysts, the Congress had been wary of Raj Thackeray’s presence, and hence they treated the event as a reunion of the Thackerays and not the MNS's entry into the MVA.


The MVA has become a fractured front after the drubbing in the state assembly polls, but the reunion might help the Thackeray brother to salvage the Sena (UBT) and MNS from political oblivion. While the Thackerays are focused primarily on Mumbai-Pune-Nashik triangle, the Congress and the NCP (SP) have a challenge to regain their bastions in the rest of Maharashtra from the Mahayuti. Hence, they kept out of the Thackeray family reunion.


Analysists also feel that the Shiv Sena (UBT) too will benefit by moving away from the Congress and be seen as leaving its core Hindutva and Marathi Manoos ideology. Charges of Muslim appeasement on them will also not stick anymore if they don't ally with Congress.


On this backdrop, Pawar’s guided silence over prospects of MNS joining the MVA leads to more questions than answers.


‘ECI should look into Rahul's presentation’

Sharad Pawar on Saturday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's presentation on "vote theft" was well-researched and well-documented, and it is up to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to look into the matter.


Addressing a press conference in Nagpur, Pawar admitted that the MVA should have been more careful before the elections in Maharashtra.


"We should have looked into it earlier and been careful," he said.


Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has described the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as an "institutionalisedchori" and claimed that the Election Commission was "openly colluding" with the BJP to carry out this "theft" with the objective of taking away the voting rights of the poor.


Pawar said Gandhi had made his presentation with detailed proof. "The ECI should look into it," he said.


The veteran leader lamented that Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray's seating at a dinner meeting hosted by Rahul Gandhi has become an unnecessary controversy.


"There was a PowerPoint presentation. When we watch a movie on screen, we don't sit in front but at the back. Farooq Abdullah and I sat at the back. Similarly, Uddhav Thackeray and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were also seated at the back to watch the presentation properly," he said. He further stated that the Opposition is yet to decide its stand on the Vice-Presidential election slated for September 9. Pawar also rejected speculations about his faction joining hands with the ruling NCP led by his nephew Ajit Pawar. "We will never align with a BJP-led alliance," he asserted.


‘Will know soon which path Shinde will take’

Against the backdrop of Shiv Sena leader and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's recent meetings with top BJP leaders in New Delhi, Sharad Pawar on Saturday said that it will soon become clear which "path" he will take.


Pawar said Shinde prefers to keep his cards to his chest and never backs down from his decision.


When asked about Shinde's meetings in Delhi and if he has put out feelers to the Opposition, Pawar replied in the negative.


"We have known Shinde Sahab for many years. He prefers to work quietly and never backs down from doing something. We will soon be able to guess which path Shinde will take," Pawar said cryptically.


Pawar stated that discipline is a speciality of RSS and its affiliates.


"If they make a decision, they try to implement it. RSS has maintained this culture of discipline for several years. I feel they will continue to adhere to discipline," he added.


Opposition of trying to create confusion: Fadnavis

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavisrejected Sharad Pawar’s claims on poll rejigging. He said, “I don't understand one thing, why did Pawar Saheb remember all this only after meeting Rahul Gandhi, and that too after so many days?”


“Sharad Pawar didn't say anything for so long, but today he suddenly made this statement. Just like Rahul Gandhi, who is telling imaginary stories every day, is Pawar Saheb doing the same?” he taunted.


Fadnavis stated, “Even if opponents create confusion, elections in India are held in a free and fair manner. They make accusations about EVMs and the election process in public, but when called by the Election Commission, they don’t turn up. They are not ready to give an affidavit. They say they have taken an oath in Parliament. But, does the oath in Parliament work in the Supreme Court or in the high courts? They know that if caught lying, they could face criminal action. So they just lie every day and run away."

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