Kamal Ghorui
Riteish Deshmukh’s ambitious period drama Raja Shivaji is quickly shaping up to be one of the most talked-about films of the year, thanks to its grand scale and impressive ensemble cast. Fueling the excitement further is the confirmation of Salman Khan making a special appearance in the film.While there had been earlier reports about Salman setting aside two days to shoot his cameo, Riteish has now made it official. He confirmed the news while hosting the grand finale of Bigg Boss Marathi Season 6, where he was joined by Genelia Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan. He said in Marathi, “eethe bolaayla harkat nahi, Salman bhau suddha aahe. Bigg Boss cha manch aani Salman bhau chya naav naahi ghetla tar kaa faayda? (I have to say it on the Bigg Boss stage that Salman bhai is also there in the film).” Salman will reportedly step into the role of Jeeva Mahala, one of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s most loyal and trusted warriors, an important figure in Maratha history.As soon as Riteish made the announcement, the energy in the room shifted dramatically. The crowd erupted in applause, while Abhishek Bachchan’s visibly enthusiastic reaction became a highlight of the moment. Clips from the episode have since been widely shared online, with fans celebrating the unexpected yet exciting collaboration.According a report by News18, sources suggest that Salman agreed to the cameo almost instantly when approached, owing to his long-standing friendship with Riteish. “Salman is the perfect choice for this part because his presence will add star power. He has earlier made memorable cameos in Riteish’s films like Lai Bhaari and Ved, and audiences have loved their collaborations,” the source shared, adding that the makers are planning something equally impactful this time.Meanwhile, the film’s trailer launch took place in Mumbai on Monday and it was attended by Riteish, Genelia, Abhishek, Sanjay Dutt, Mahesh Manjrekar, Vidya Balan among others. It is set to release on May 1.
