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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.

Promises and Polemics

Updated: Jan 27, 2025

As Delhi braces for a key assembly election, the clash of governance models and fiery rhetoric sets the stage for a defining political moment.

Delhi
Delhi

The keenly-contested Delhi Assembly election, slated for February 5, is more than just a contest for control over India’s capital. The outcome is expected to settle the debate over whether the governance of Delhi merely an extension of civic administration, or is it a test case for innovative policy models in India’s federal structure? The campaign has turned into a fierce clash of vision and ideologies, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress battling not just for votes but for the very soul of Delhi.


At the heart of this election lies a dichotomy between competing governance styles. The AAP, under former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, champions its ‘Delhi model’ of governance marked by subsidized electricity and water, free bus rides for women and overhauled public education and healthcare systems. For its supporters, this model demonstrates how localized, welfare-oriented governance can transform urban India. Critics, however, argue that these populist measures are unsustainable, especially when juxtaposed against Delhi’s chronic issues of air pollution, waste management and urban sprawl.


The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s relentless campaigning, offers a different vision. It accuses the AAP of fiscal irresponsibility and corruption, pointing to scandals like the now-scrapped excise policy and alleged mismanagement during the pandemic. Modi’s rhetoric has sought to portray AAP as an impediment to Delhi’s development, while promising a “developed capital for a developed India.” The BJP’s approach leans on its national dominance and its ability to align Delhi’s governance with central policies, painting AAP as a local upstart ill-suited for larger ambitions.


The campaign trail has been anything but genteel. Kejriwal’s accusations of BJP-orchestrated hooliganism and misuse of the Delhi Police have set the tone for a combative showdown. The BJP, in turn, has dubbed the AAP a disaster, with Modi’s “aapda” jibe dominating party rallies. The Prime Minister has sought to mobilize voters by highlighting AAP’s alleged failures in providing basic amenities, while also emphasizing BJP’s commitment to middle-class welfare and urban development.


The Congress, the once-dominant player in Delhi politics, is trying to re-establish its relevance but lacks the firepower of its rivals.


Of Delhi’s 70 constituencies, a handful will act as bellwethers. The New Delhi constituency remains the crown jewel, with Kejriwal seeking re-election against formidable challengers from both the BJP and Congress. Kalkaji and Jangpura, featuring high-profile AAP incumbents like Atishi and Manish Sisodia, will test whether the party’s welfare-centric governance resonates beyond its strongholds.


Other constituencies, such as Rohini and Malviya Nagar, pit seasoned BJP leaders against AAP’s grassroots candidates. Meanwhile, areas like Ballimaran, with a significant Muslim population, will be a litmus test for communal politics.


While governance remains a prominent theme, identity politics is an undeniable undercurrent. Modi’s outreach to Purvanchali voters—a crucial bloc in Delhi—highlights the BJP’s strategy of consolidating regional identities. On the other hand, the AAP has faced allegations of alienating these groups during the pandemic, a charge it vehemently denies. The Congress, banking on its secular credentials, is attempting to appeal to voters disillusioned with the polarizing narratives of its rivals.


Regardless of the outcome, Delhi’s unique status as a quasi-state continues to complicate its governance. The lack of full statehood means that critical areas like law and order remain under central control, often leading to friction between the elected government and the Union. Both the AAP and BJP have used this issue to their advantage—AAP to portray itself as a victim of systemic constraints, and BJP to highlight AAP’s alleged incompetence in managing its limited powers.


As February 5 approaches, the air is thick with anticipation. Will Delhi reaffirm its faith in AAP’s welfare model, or will BJP’s promises of national alignment sway voters? For now, the battle rages on—of promises versus pragmatism, and of local aspirations clashing with national ambitions.

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