Vidya Balan On Working With Riteish Deshmukh: ‘Felt Incredibly Natural'
After her last appearance in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Vidya Balan is gearing up for a grand return with Raja Shivaji, a historical drama based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film marks a significant project for Balan, who is known for her powerful performances and careful script selection. Directed by Riteish Deshmukh, the film holds special importance not just for the cast, but also for Marathi cinema as it aspires to reach a pan-Indian audience.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Vidya confirmed, 'Yes, I just finished shooting for it. It's a film on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and I was amazed throughout the process." Reflecting on her experience with Riteish Deshmukh as a director, she added, 'I had previously worked with Riteish as a co-actor in Heyy Babyy (2007), and we've all seen how brilliant his comic timing is. But as a director, he completely surprised me."
Vidya praised Deshmukh's intuitive and actor-friendly approach behind the camera, saying, 'Because he's an actor himself, his direction felt incredibly natural. It was like having a heartfelt conversation with a fellow performer rather than being told what to do. I really cherished that process." She went on to express her excitement for the project, calling it a remarkable attempt at bringing a legendary story to life. 'What they're trying to create with this film is truly special. I'm very proud to be a part of it."
One of the most heartwarming aspects of the film for Vidya was her reunion with Sanjay Dutt, nearly 19 years after they last shared screen space in the cult classic Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006). Recalling their time together, she shared warmly, 'Being back on set with Sanju after all these years was just beautiful. He had been incredibly kind to me during Parineeta (2005), and although we had occasionally stayed in touch, getting to meet him again in person was emotional. I was overjoyed to hug him and say, 'Lage raho Munna Bhai! Aap jaisa koi nahi.'"
According to Pinkvilla, the production of Raja Shivaji is in full swing, with the makers aiming for a grand theatrical release on May 1, 2026. The film stands out as one of the few large-scale Marathi-language projects envisioned with a pan-India appeal, both in terms of story and scale.
The cast of Raja Shivaji is nothing short of star-studded. Alongside Vidya Balan and Sanjay Dutt, the ensemble includes Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amole Gupte and Genelia Deshmukh, among others—each adding weight and depth to the film's expansive historical narrative.
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