Genelia tears up as Riteish Deshmukh recalls struggle behind Raja Shivaji film
Genelia D'Souza turned emotional at the Raja Shivaji trailer launch as Riteish Deshmukh spoke about the film's journey and struggles. The historical drama on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is set to release on May 1.
Actor Genelia Deshmukh was moved to tears during the trailer launch of the film Raja Shivaji in Mumbai. The moment unfolded as her husband, actor Riteish Deshmukh, recounted the challenges faced in bringing the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to the silver screen.
The event, held on April 20, witnessed Riteish expressing gratitude to his team for supporting his vision.
Addressing the media, the actor thanked his team for standing by him throughout the journey. Genelia, standing beside him, was visibly touched by his words and broke down on stage.
Why did Genelia break down?
Photos and videos showing her emotional response after Riteish called her his greatest support have since gone viral. Genelia was seen moved to tears when Riteish recounted the film's decade-long struggle in an emotional speech.
In various interviews in the past, too, Riteish has revealed how his ambitious project faced several challenges over the years. These included the film reportedly being shelved. It was also deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More about the film
Raja Shivaji features an ensemble cast, including Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, and Bhagyashree. The film also includes appearances by Sachin Khedekar, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, and Amole Gupte. Genelia is also a part of the cast.
Salman Khan will make a cameo in the film, though details of his role remain undisclosed. Riteish hinted that he plays a significant part.
The film tells the story of the legendary Maratha king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is scheduled for release on May 1, 2026, coinciding with Maharashtra Day. The narrative promises to depict Shivaji's battles against adversaries aiming to disrupt the Maratha empire, showcasing action-packed sequences and a rich historical backdrop.
Raja Shivaji is backed by Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company, with co-production by Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh. The film will be released in multiple languages, including Marathi, Hindi, and Telugu.