Riteish Deshmukh’s historical drama Raja Shivaji had a massive opening at the Indian box office, collecting Rs. 11.35 crore on the first day. After the impressive response, the actor-director shared a viral video on May 2, 2026, requesting fans to refrain from sharing videos and spoilers online to preserve the theater experience. Featuring a star-studded cast including Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt, Raja Shivaji has been hailed for its emotional depth and sheer scale.
After the historic opening of the blockbuster film ‘Raja Shivaji’, actor-director Riteish Deshmukh has issued a heartfelt appeal to his fans. With the bilingual film’s record opening at the box office, Deshmukh intends to preserve the experience for those who are yet to watch his film.
Riteish Deshmukh makes a humble request to the fans
On May 2, 2026, basking in the glow of critical and commercial success, Riteish Deshmukh took to his social media account to share a video message in Marathi. While he expressed great gratitude for the “overwhelming response,” he made a humble request regarding spoilers.
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Riteish Deshmukh collapses on stage while Genelia Deshmukh consoles him
“Humble Request: Please do not upload videos to social media while watching the movie.”The director explained that while he loves seeing fans’ enthusiasm, sharing key sequences and action scenes online destroys the “grandeur and emotional depth” he’s worked years to build.
He encouraged fans to post snapshots and photos instead, as long as they do not reveal important plot points, ensuring that all theatergoers can experience Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy as intended.
Industry and fans react to Riteish Deshmukh’s video
The comments section of Ritesh’s video was soon filled 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 film’s authenticity, with one writing, “Sahib khup chaan ahe movie” (Sir, it’s a very good movie), while another expressed his pride, saying, “@riteishd tumचं कूप कौतुक वATतं” (Ritesh, I feel so proud of you).
More about Raja Shivaji
Raja Shivaji not only captured hearts but also broke records for historical dramas with regional roots. According to Sakneelak, the film has collected a staggering Rs 1 lakh in revenue. 11.35 crore nett across 6,192 shows in India on its first day. The film features a huge ensemble cast including Abhishek Bachchan, Genelia Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi and Amoli Gupte.
Salman Khan
The special’s high-octane appearance became a major talking point, with theaters turning into stadiums during his entrance. The film also marks a special milestone as it marks the debut of Ritesh and Genelia’s son, Raheel.