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Ritesh Deshmukh is in the headlines these days for his film ‘Raja Shivaji’. This is not just a film, but the bravery saga of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which Ritesh has brought on screen as an actor, writer, director and producer. While talking to Dainik Bhaskar, Ritesh shared many emotional stories related to the film and expressed his feelings as a father, a son and a filmmaker.
The biggest revelation he made was regarding the fees of the cast. Ritesh told that big stars like Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan did not take a single rupee for this historical film. Instead of fees, Abhishek asked for ‘Thecha’ (Maharashtrian dish) made by Ritesh’s mother.
Ritesh also spoke openly about his 10 years of struggle, the lessons given by his father Vilasrao Deshmukh and breaking the tag of a comedy actor on himself.
The producers of Raja Shivaji film are Jio Studio and Mumbai Film Company.
Question: Actors like Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan did not take any fee for the film?
answer: Yes, this is absolutely true. We were trying to make a Marathi film on a large scale. When I narrated the story to Abhishek Bachchan and told that I was directing it and it was based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he said, “I don’t want money, I just want a contract made by your mother.”
Vidya Balan, Boman Irani, Fardeen Khan, no one took any money. Even Genelia and I did not charge any fees for acting, direction or production. Everyone has done this film out of respect and faith towards Maharaj Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Question: How did you convince Salman Khan for the cameo in ‘Jeeva Mahale’?
answer: Salman Bhau himself had told me that – “If you are making a film, then write a role for me also. You will not make the film without me.” Their love is like this. I thought that if he is coming, his fans should enjoy seeing him on screen.
When I brought her on screen in the role of Jeeva Mahale and now seeing the reactions of people and her photos going viral, I feel very happy as a director. I think I was able to do justice to his personality.
Question: ‘Raja Shivaji’ is not just a film for you, but a big responsibility. How did it take 10 years to build?
answer:10 years ago we thought of making a film on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Tried many times, but it was as if the stars were not coming together. Tried from 2016 to 2019, then Covid came. Finally the work started in 2023 and now it has been released in 26.
Maharaj is our first superhero, our pride. In such a situation, it was a big responsibility to bring the history created by him on the screen in the right way, because people’s faith is attached to him.
Question: You became very emotional at the trailer launch, Genelia also had tears in her eyes. What were you feeling at that time?
answer: When you work on a project for years and see that people like Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan come to help you selflessly, you become emotional. I felt that all the relationships I have earned in life are standing with me today as a duty towards Maharaj Ji. This was his emotion.
Question: How difficult was it to cover such a vast life of Maharaj in a three-hour film?
answer: His life and fame are so vast that everything cannot be captured in one film. So we chose a part. We thought of showing why he was born at the same time and under the same circumstances. Just as Shri Krishna was destined to be born in the same prison, similarly Maharaj was born to eradicate the darkness of that time.
This story is as much about his family as it is about what his parents and brothers went through.
Question: How was the balance maintained between historical truth and cinematic liberty?
answer: Dates and events are recorded in history, but not the threads and emotions between them. What were the conversations between Maharaj and his elder brother Shambhuraj, what was his relationship with mother Jijabai… all this is not found in literature. In such a situation, we had to build relationships by keeping honor and dignity in mind, so that history is not tampered with and the sentiments of the audience are not hurt.
Question: What kind of emotional transformation was going on inside you while playing the character of Maharaj?
answer: While writing, I understood that Maharaj was not only aggressive in the battlefield, but was also very sensitive. He thought far ahead. Ganimi Kawa (Guerrilla Warfare) was not just a battle of weapons but also a mind game. If you want to take a big leap, you have to take two steps back. I have tried to live out his same calm and strategic vision on screen.
Question: From whom did you get the most lovely feedback so far regarding the film?
answer: The most comforting feedback came from the family of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje. He saw the film and praised us. When his family said that they liked our work, a huge burden was lifted from my chest. It felt that we had fulfilled our responsibility properly.
Question: How did you break the tag of ‘comedy actor’ imposed on yourself from films like ‘Ek Villain’ and ‘Raid 2’?
answer: The comedy genre helped me a lot to survive in the industry. There was a time when my comedy films were continuously becoming hits. But cinema changes with time. If you remain stuck in the same frame, you will become outdated. It was necessary to upgrade myself, so I did serious and negative roles. It is the audience who has taken me out of that tag.
Question: You are a hit in Hindi cinema also, then where did the vision of taking Marathi cinema so far come from?
answer: It’s because of my dad (Late Vilasrao Deshmukh). He told me- “You are working in Hindi films, but what will you do for your Marathi films?” Then I formed Mumbai Film Company. Till date we have made 7 films and all are Marathi. It is your duty to give something back to the soil in which you were born. Today father must be praying from above that you did good.
