Riteish Deshmukh’s historical drama Raja Shivaji has taken a massive opening at the Indian box office, collecting Rs. 11.35 crore on Day 1. Following the impressive response, the actor-director shared a viral video on May 2, 2026, requesting fans to refrain from sharing video clips and spoilers online to preserve the theater experience. Featuring a star-studded cast including Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt, Raja Shivaji is being hailed for its emotional depth and grand scale.
Following the historic opening of the magnum opus, ‘Raja Shivaji’, actor-director Riteish Deshmukh has issued a heartfelt plea to his fans. With a record opening of the bilingual film at the box office, Deshmukh in intent on preserving the experience for those who haven’t yet seen his film yet.
Riteish Deshmukh makes humble request to fans
On May 2, 2026, basking in the glow of critical and commercial success, Riteish Deshmukh took to his social media handle to share a video message in Marathi. While expressing his immense gratitude for the “overwhelming response,” he made a humble request regarding spoilers.
“A humble request: Please do not upload videos on social media while watching the movie.”The director explained that while he loves seeing the enthusiasm of fans, sharing key sequences and action set-pieces online ruins the “grandeur and emotional depth” he worked years to build. He encouraged fans to post stills and photos instead, as long as they don’t reveal crucial plot points, ensuring that every theater-goer can experience the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as intended.
Industry and fan reactions to Riteish Deshmukh’s video
The comments section of Riteish’s video was quickly flooded with support.Actress Amruta Khanvilkar commented, “har har Mahadev …”Actor Nikitin Dhar said, “So happy for you Bhau.. Lots of love.. Har Har Mahadev”Fans praised the authenticity of the film, with one writing, “Saheb khup chaan movie ahe” (Sir, it’s a very good movie), while another expressed pride, saying, “@riteishd तुमचं खूप कौतुक वाटतं” (Riteish, I feel very proud of you).
More about ‘Raja Shivaji’
Raja Shivaji has not only captured hearts but also shattered records for a regional-rooted historical drama. According to Sacnilk, the film collected a staggering Rs. 11.35 crore net across 6,192 shows in India on its first day. The film features a massive cast including Abhishek Bachchan, Genelia Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, and Amole Gupte. Salman Khan’s high-octane special appearance has become a major talking point, with theaters turning into stadiums during his entry. The film also marks a special milestone as the acting debut of Riteish and Genelia’s son, Rahyl. Go to Source
