Following the historic opening of the historical epic Raja Shivaji, actor and director Riteish Deshmukh has reached out to his audience with a heartfelt plea. While the film is breaking records at the box office, Deshmukh is concerned that the viral spread of Salman Khan’s high-octane cameo is ruining the experience for those who haven’t made it to the theaters yet.
On May 2, 2026, just a day after the film’s massive release on Maharashtra Day, Deshmukh shared a video message on social media. Basking in the glow of critical and commercial success, he thanked fans for the “overwhelming response” but urged them to stop recording and uploading clips of the movie’s most impactful moments.
The Impact of Salman Khan’s Cameo
Salman Khan’s appearance as the legendary warrior Jiva Mahala has become the talk of the town. Although the production team tried to keep the role under wraps, the secret was out almost immediately as videos of theater crowds cheering and throwing confetti during his entry began circulating online.
In the viral clips, Khan is seen in a striking look featuring an orange turban, a traditional kurta, and a Maratha sword. The scene reaches a crescendo when he delivers a powerful dialogue, insisting that the protagonist be addressed with the respect of a King, a moment that has reportedly turned cinema halls into stadiums.
Deshmukh revealed that the cameo happened almost by accident. During a New Year’s gathering, Salman Khan reportedly insisted on being part of the film, telling Riteish, “You can’t make the film without me.” While Riteish initially hadn’t planned a role for him, the superstar’s passion for the project led to the creation of the Jiva Mahala sequence.
A Plea for the Theater Experience
The director’s request isn’t about hiding Salman’s presence—which is now public knowledge—but about preserving the surprise and the “theater-only” energy of the film. “A humble request: Please do not upload videos on social media while watching the movie,” Riteish stated in his message. He emphasized that the hard work of the hundreds of people behind the film is best appreciated on the big screen without the distraction of prior spoilers.
Box Office Triumph
Despite the spoiler concerns, Raja Shivaji is proving to be a juggernaut at the box office. On its first day alone, the film collected an estimated ₹11.35 crore across its Marathi and Hindi versions. The Marathi version specifically earned ₹8 crore, surpassing the opening-day records of previous blockbusters like Sairat and Timepass 2.
The film, produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh under Mumbai Film Company and Jio Studios, features a massive ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, and Bhagyashree. It traces the early life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his vision for Swarajya, and the makers hope that the audience will respect the filmmaker’s request to keep the film’s biggest surprises within the four walls of the cinema.
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