Kamal Ghorui
Riteish Deshmukh‘s directorial ‘Raja Shivaji’ which also sees him portray Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has been doing exceptionally well in theatres. While it has set a benchmark when it comes to box office numbers in Marathi cinema, the film has gotten rave reviews from all over. Apart from Riteish, the film also stars Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Sanjay Dutt and has a cameo from Salman Khan. In a recent interview, Riteish opened up on getting all these actors on board and how none of them have charged any money for the film.Riteish shared that most of the Hindi film actors associated with Raja Shivaji came on board purely out of admiration for Shivaji Maharaj and because of the personal relationships they share with him. Opening up about his bond with actors like Salman Khan and Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish said some relationships go beyond formal definitions and are built on mutual love and trust.He said in an interview with Live Times,, “This is just unsaid kind of love and respect, unconditional, that you have for each other. If tomorrow Abhishek or Salman tells me, ‘What about this?’ I’ll say yes without even thinking because if he has thought of me, I have to be there.”The actor-director further revealed that Abhishek Bachchan agreed to join the film without even asking about the role being offered to him. Speaking about the goodwill he has built over the years in the industry, Riteish said, “This is what I have earned in 23 years. I am truly indebted to all of them.”According to Riteish, discussions about payment never even came up when he approached his colleagues for the project. He added that the cast members chose to be part of the film because of the story and its emotional importance rather than monetary considerations.He shared, “Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Fardeen Khan, Boman Irani, Genelia Deshmukh, and I didn’t charge. We all have worked completely pro bono for this film to be what it is today.”The filmmaker also disclosed that he spent over three-and-a-half years researching and writing ‘Raja Shivaji’. The project features actors from both Bollywood and Marathi cinema, making it one of the most ambitious ensemble casts assembled in recent years.
