Actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty, widely recognised for his acclaimed work in the film Kantara, has officially joined the cast of a major upcoming historical project. The actor will portray the legendary 17th-century Maratha warrior king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in a grand two-part biographical epic titled The Pride of Bharat. The announcement was made on Friday, October 30, 2026, via a joint statement from the primary stakeholders, including the film’s producers and the lead actor.
The production, which is being spearheaded by T-Series with Bhushan Kumar as a producer, promises to be a comprehensive cinematic tribute to the Maratha ruler. In a shared statement regarding the collaboration, the makers highlighted the historical significance of the subject matter, noting that the vision of Swarajya, which Shivaji Maharaj championed, played a crucial role in shaping the history of the region. The team expressed their privilege in being involved in a project dedicated to the extraordinary legacy of the iconic warrior king.
Directed by Sandeep Singh, the ambitious venture marks his debut as a feature film director. Alongside Rishab Shetty, who takes on the titular role, the cast includes prominent actors Arjun Rampal and Vivek Oberoi in significant characters. The musical score for the project is being composed by Amit Trivedi, marking his first foray into a Hindi historical drama. The makers have confirmed that the film is planned as a multi-language release, aiming for a broad reach across India.
The planning for this historical saga has been underway for some time, with the project having been initially launched in February 2024, shortly before the 394th birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. According to the production schedule shared by the team, the film is set to go on floors in early 2027. This timeline suggests an extensive pre-production phase as the team prepares to bring the large-scale biographical narrative to the screen.
This casting news comes as Rishab Shetty is simultaneously engaged in other significant cinematic endeavours. The actor is also preparing for a mythological epic titled Jai Hanuman, which is being directed by Prasanth Varma. In that project, Shetty is expected to play the role of Lord Hanuman, working alongside actors such as Rana Daggubati. The addition of The Pride of Bharat to his slate underscores his shift toward high-profile mythological and historical storytelling.
As the film industry and fans look toward 2027, anticipation remains high for how this two-part structure will handle the complex history of the Maratha kingdom. With T-Series at the helm of production, the scale of the historical epic is expected to match the grandeur of its subject matter. The announcement concluded with a traditional salutation, “Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji,” reflecting the respectful tone the production team intends to maintain throughout the creation of this biographical series.
For now, the focus remains on the developmental stages of the film as it moves from its 2024 announcement toward the anticipated start of production in 2027. Further details regarding the filming locations or specific release dates for the two parts have not yet been disclosed, leaving audiences to await updates as the ambitious project approaches its principal photography phase.
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