Rishab Shetty is set to headline The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which has received a major update. The historical epic will reportedly be made as a two-part film series, with a budget exceeding Rs 500 crore. The reported budget would place it among the most expensive productions in Indian cinema.Part one is expected to release in 2028, with the second installment slated to arrive a year later in 2029.

A team of accomplished technicians

Director Sandip Singh is helming the project with a team of acclaimed technicians. The screenplay has been penned by writing duo Siddharth-Garima, while Prasoon Joshi will write the lyrics. Ravi Varman has been roped in as cinematographer, and Academy Award-winner Resul Pookutty will oversee the sound design.

The period epic chronicles the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th-century Maratha ruler who founded the Maratha Empire and challenged far larger forces through military strategy, vision, and leadership.

A subject that has inspired generations of filmmakers

The life of Shivaji Maharaj has fascinated Indian filmmakers for decades. As early as 1952, director Bhalji Pendharkar brought the Maratha ruler’s story to the big screen, with Chandrakant Mandhare portraying the emperor.

More recently, Ajay Devgn’s Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior depicted the story of Shivaji’s trusted general and emerged as a major box-office success, winning three National Film Awards. Riteish Deshmukh’s Raja Shivaji, which he also directed, released on Maharashtra Day in May 2026. The Maratha Empire remains one of Indian cinema’s most explored historical subjects, inspiring numerous films across languages and generations.

Jai Hanuman is also in Rishab’s pipeline

Rishab Shetty was recently seen in Kantara: Chapter 1, which emerged as a major box-office success. He also has Jai Hanuman, directed by Prasanth Varma, in the pipeline.

While Jai Hanuman is rooted in mythology and the superhero genre, The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is being mounted as a large-scale historical drama based on the life and legacy of the celebrated Maratha ruler.

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As previously reported, actor Venkatesh and director Anil Ravipudi are reuniting after the success of F2, F3, and Sankranthiki Vasthunam. Their upcoming project, tentatively titled VenkyAnil5, is being planned as a major Sankranthi 2027 release. The film was officially launched on Thursday in the presence of the principal cast and crew. Nandamuri Kalyan Ram has joined the project in a pivotal second lead role. Actress Keerthy Suresh will be paired opposite Venkatesh for the first time, marking a fresh on-screen combination. Meanwhile, Krithi Shetty has been cast opposite Kalyan Ram.

The casting has generated considerable interest, with both Keerthy and Krithi looking forward to being part of the commercial entertainer. Music director GV Prakash Kumar has been roped in to compose the soundtrack. According to sources, the film will feature a diverse album catering to different commercial sensibilities. The project is scheduled to go on floors early next week. Known for his efficient filmmaking style, Anil Ravipudi is expected to complete the shoot within a relatively short timeframe before gearing up for its Sankranthi 2027 release.