The film ‘Raja Shivaji’, which has written a new chapter in the history of Marathi cinema, is in the news not only for its grandeur but also for the generosity of its star-cast. The film’s director, actor and producer Riteish Deshmukh has recently revealed that many big stars of the film did not take a single rupee for this project. This film based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is getting a lot of love from the audience and is making new records at the box office.
Many big actors were involved in this film, like Genelia Deshmukh, Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Sanjay Dutt and others.The biggest surprise was Salman Khan, who played the character of ‘Jeeva Mahala’, a very powerful warrior in the film. A few days after the film’s release, Riteish revealed a very interesting fact about the making of the film – he revealed that the lead actors of the film did not take any money for it.
Riteish Deshmukh says lead actors didn’t take any money for ‘Raja Shivaji’
When Riteish Deshmukh was asked if the lead cast of ‘Raja Shivaji’ had not taken any money for the film, he confirmed the same and told Dainik Bhaskar, “Yes, it is absolutely true. We were trying to make a Marathi film on a very large scale. When I narrated the story to Abhishek Bachchan and told him that I was directing it and the film was based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he said, ‘I don’t want money, I just want your mother’s hand. ‘Thecha’ should be made.'”
He further told that Vidya Balan, Boman Irani and Fardeen Khan also did not take any fee for the film. The actor said, “Genelia and I also did not take any money for acting, directing or producing the film. Everyone associated with this film because of their respect and reverence for Maharaj Chhatrapati Shivaji.”
How did Salman Khan get associated with ‘Raja Shivaji’?
Salman Khan did a short but very powerful cameo in the film as ‘Jeeva Mahala’, a Marathi warrior. Regarding how the superstar was included in the film, Riteish Deshmukh told the same portal, “Salman Bhau himself told me, ‘If you are making a film, then write a role for me also. You cannot make this film without me.’ Their love is like this. I felt that if he is coming in the film, his fans should really enjoy seeing him on screen.” He further added, “When I introduced her on screen as ‘Jeeva Mahale’, and now seeing the audience’s reaction and the pictures going viral, I feel extremely happy as a director. I feel I have done complete justice to her personality.”
Meanwhile, ‘Raja Shivaji’ has collected a total of Rs 62.42 crore in the first week, making it one of the first Marathi films to achieve such a huge feat in such a short period of time.
Entertainment News HindiToday only at Prabhasakshi