Raja Shivaji Row: Riteish Deshmukh Reacts to Bageshwar Baba's Remark

Raja Shivaji:Riteish Deshmukh is gearing up for the release of his much-awaited historical action drama "Raja Shivaji," in which he plays the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

However, the film has been embroiled in controversy even before its release. Recently, a statement by spiritual guru Bageshwar Baba sparked controversy, prompting Riteish Deshmukh to strongly rebuke him. The issue also gained considerable traction on social media, but now, to calm the situation, Bageshwar Baba has apologized for his statement.

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Riteish Deshmukh targets Bageshwar Baba

Let us tell you that on the social platform X, Riteish Deshmukh shared a strongly worded note in Marathi, expressing his anger as a fan and devotee of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. On his X account, Riteish wrote in Marathi, "When someone posing as a Shiva lover and devotee spews false nonsense about our revered deity, it is unacceptable and infuriating. Such reckless attempts to belittle our heritage will not be tolerated. But just as the Sahyadri hills have existed for millions of years, so too will that one name remain for billions of years to come. And that name is of the Kshatriya dynasty, the lord of the throne, the emperor of emperors, Chhatrapati Maharaj."

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Bageshwar Baba had given this controversial statement

Bageshwar Baba recently made some comments during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Bhardurga Shakti Sthal in Nagpur, after which people started criticizing him. He said, 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was very tired of fighting. He was feeling very tired. One day, he went to Ramdas Swami. He took off his crown and placed it down and said, 'I don't want to fight anymore. You take care of this crown; you manage this kingdom. We will obey your orders. We can't fight anymore. We are very tired, and we need rest. We don't want to do anything for a few days.'

Bageshwar Baba apologized

In the film 'Raja Shivaji', Genelia Deshmukh is playing the role of Saibai, Sanjay Dutt is playing the role of Afzal Khan, Abhishek Bachchan is playing the role of Sambhaji Shahaji Maharaj (brother of Shivaji Maharaj), Vidya Balan is playing the role of Badi Begum (wife of Adilshah), Sachin Khedekar is playing the role of Shahaji Raje Bhosale, Bhagyashree is playing the role of Jijabai, Fardeen Khan is playing the role of Shahjahan, Jitendra Joshi is playing the role of Pant, and Amol Gupte is playing the role of Adilshah.

When will the film be released? (Raja Shivaji Release Date)

"Raja Shivaji" is written, directed, and produced by Riteish Deshmukh himself. The film's music is composed by the renowned duo Ajay-Atul, and cinematography is by Santosh Sivan. The film was shot in beautiful locations such as Wai, Mahabaleshwar, Satara, and Mumbai. The film is scheduled to release theatrically on May 1, 2026. It will be released in Marathi, Hindi, and Telugu.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What statement sparked the controversy?

This controversy started after a statement made by Bageshwar Baba on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Q2. How did Riteish Deshmukh react to this? (How did Riteish Deshmukh react?)

Riteish Deshmukh criticized the statement and expressed strong displeasure, calling it inappropriate.

Q3. What is Riteish Deshmukh's connection to this issue?

Riteish Deshmukh is playing the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his film 'Raja Shivaji'.

Q4. Did Bageshwar Baba respond to the backlash?

Yes, after the controversy escalated, Bageshwar Baba apologized for his statement.

Q5. How did social media react to this controversy?

There was a mixed reaction on social media regarding this issue, in which many people supported Ritesh.