Raja Shivaji Review: Salman Khan shines in orange attire, speaks Marathi overshadows Riteish Deshmukh as Shivaji

And the wait is finally over. The much-awaited film Raja Shivaji, starring Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh among others, has hit theatres today on the occasion of Maharashtra Day. Ever since the trailer dropped, reports suggested that Salman Khan would make a cameo appearance. While his look and role were kept under wraps, the internet is now buzzing with reactions after the film's release.

Screenshots and clips from the film have gone viral, with many praising Salman Khan's intense look. Salman Khan is seen in an orange turban, kurta, and fighting with a Maratha sword, as he appears alongside Riteish, who portrays Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

For the unversed, Salman essays the role of Jiva Mahala.

However, not all reactions have been positive. Several netizens criticised Salman Khan's Marathi accent and diction.

In a viral clip, he is heard saying "Shivaji Raz".

One user wrote, "Before we insist that rickshaw and cab drivers must speak Marathi, can we first ask Bollywood actors who've spent their entire lives in Mumbai to speak clear, correct Marathi? What in the world is 'Shivaji Raz'?"

Another commented that Riteish Deshmukh "looks like himself and not Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj."

A third user questioned Salman's frequent cameos, saying they can disrupt the narrative flow, especially in a serious historical film like Raja Shivaji. The user added that while his screen presence is strong, the look and Marathi setup felt slightly mismatched.

That said, Salman's fans were thrilled. One user wrote, "Cameo aisa ki puri movie ek taraf, aur Bhai ki entry ek taraf. King of Bollywood for a reason!"

Another commented, "VEER ki yaad aa gayi," while someone else added, "Wow, that's a surprise."

As for the film itself, the first half sees Riteish Deshmukh deliver an intense performance as Shivaji, staying true to the character. The narrative introduces key figures like Jijabai (Bhagyashree), Sambhaji Shahaji Bhosle (Abhishek Bachchan), and Saibai (Genelia Deshmukh), while exploring Shivaji's early life, struggles, and rivalries.

The second half shifts focus to his conflict with Afzal Khan (Sanjay Dutt). However, several viewers feel that the latter portion becomes uneven, with mixed reactions emerging from audiences who have watched the film.

According to Sacnilk, the total number of shows thatRaja Shivaji is running on day 1 is 3,341. So far, the period drama has earned Rs 5.34 crore on day 1. As of now, the gross collections from India stand at Rs 6.30 crore.

Full cast

Bhagyashree is seen as Jijau, along with Sachin Khedekar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Jitendra Joshi, and Amol Gupte playing supporting roles in the film. Genelia Deshmukh plays Riteish's onscreen wife, and Salman Khan's cameo is for the role of Jiva Mahala.