Riteish Deshmukh's historical drama Raja Shivaji has finally released in cinemas on May 1, and is opened to positive response from the audience and critics alike.

The actor has directed as well as acted in the film. Ever since the first day show ended, social media has been filled with appreciation for the film's extravagant scale, power-packed performances and intense storytelling.

What did netizens say about Riteish Deshmukh's Raja Shivaji?

The audience, especially netizens, have lauded Riteish Deshmukh's portrayal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj calling it his career-best performance till date. The direction, epic battle sequences and powerful narrative of the film have struck a chord with the audience. The supporting cast has also been appreciated for their powerful roles. Many have even called Raja Shivaji as one of the epic historical dramas in recent times, estimating a strong box office run in the days to come.

What is Raja Shivaji about?

Raja Shivaji follows the early years of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his dream of Swarajya, where people could live under their own rule. In western India, he slowly built the Maratha empire, taking on powerful forces like the Deccan Sultanates and the Mughal Empire. His daring raid on Shaista Khan in Pune in 1663 and his attack on Surat in 1664 changed the game, shaking Mughal power and badly affecting their trade.

What connection do Raja Shivaji and Dhurandhar share?

Well, critics have noticed that Raja Shivaji unfolds in different chapters with concept-driven titles (eg Rakht Ani Rakh, Pralay), a storytelling style that reflects the structure adopted in Aditya Dhar's films- Dhurandhar, Dhurandhar 2 and URI. Moreover, both films are 'magnum opus' production curated for pan-India audience. The two films were even strategically linked during their promotion. The first look of Raja Shivaji was exclusively shown during theatrical screenings of Dhurandhar 2.