Is the 'Raja Shivaji' budget more than Rs 100 crore? Actor-director Riteish Deshmukh says 'Nobody really knows the actual cost except...'

Riteish Deshmukh’s much-awaited historical drama Raja Shivaji has finally released and is receiving widespread praise from audiences and critics alike for its grand storytelling, powerful performances, and compelling direction. The film beautifully captures the life, courage, and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, with Riteish Deshmukh earning special appreciation for his nuanced and impactful portrayal of the legendary Maratha warrior king.

Mounted on a massive scale, the film has sparked conversations around its reported Rs 100 crore budget. Addressing the speculation and the pressure associated with such large-scale productions, Riteish recently appeared at The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra (Season 3), produced by Gautam Thakker Films and shared his perspective in an interview “First of all, the budgets being discussed are all just assumptions. Nobody really knows the actual cost of the film except Jio Studios, who know exactly how the film has been mounted and what has gone into making it happen.

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As filmmakers, I feel the last thing we should be discussing is the budget of a film, because ultimately, that’s not what matters to the audience. What matters is whether the film is worth their time. You can talk about scale, cinematic value, and the experience being created. As a child, when I went to watch an Amitabh Bachchan film, I never thought about the budget. I went for the big-screen entertainment, the emotion, and the value for money that the experience delivered" he said.

With Raja Shivaji, Riteish Deshmukh once again proves his versatility as a performer and filmmaker. Over the years, he has carved a unique space for himself across genres, from comedy entertainers like Housefull, Dhamaal and Masti to intense performances in films like Ek Villain and now the historical grandeur of Raja Shivaji.

His ability to seamlessly move between humour, drama, and powerful historical narratives continues to make him one of the most admired and dependable performers in Indian cinema today.