Salman Khan’s Cameo in ‘Raja Shivaji’ Sparks Enthusiasm and Debate Bollywood actor Salman Khan made a surprise appearance in Riteish Deshmukh’s historical film Raja Shivaji, playing the role of Jeeva Mahala, one of the Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s most trusted warriors. The 60-year-old actor’s cameo, which features him in an orange turban, kurta, and wielding a Maratha sword, has become a standout moment in the film. Clips of his dramatic entrance—showing him standing beside Shivaji, portrayed by Riteish—have gone viral on social media, with fans praising his performance. The film, which premiered globally in Marathi and Hindi on May 1, chronicles the life and legacy of Shivaji Maharaj, a key figure in Indian history. Riteish Deshmukh stars as the titular character, while his son portrays a younger version of the warrior king. The movie is produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh under Mumbai Film Company and presented by Jio Studios. Salman’s cameo has been widely celebrated by fans, who have described it as “unmatchable” and a highlight of the film. Social media users have praised his portrayal of Jeeva Mahala, with one fan writing, “Bro is unmatchable in giving the most shouted cameos in theater.” Another user remarked, “This look of Megastar #SalmanKhan reminds me of VEER + SULTAN combo,” while another called it “pure iconic stuff by Salman Khan.” The actor’s appearance reportedly drew cheers and applause from cinema-goers during the film’s theatrical run. However, not all reactions have been positive. Some critics and netizens have questioned the inclusion of Salman’s cameo in a film with a serious and historical tone. One viewer tweeted, “Honestly, it’s getting hard to understand why Salman Khan is doing a cameo in almost every film now.#salman_khan #jyoti_deshpande #genelia_deshmukh #riteish_deshmukh #mumbai_film_company
Riteish Deshmukh Reveals Salman Khan Insisted on Joining Raja Shivaji: 'You Can't Make the Film Without Me' Riteish Deshmukh, director and lead actor of the historical drama Raja Shivaji, shared insights into how Salman Khan secured a role in the film. The movie, a saga about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is set to release tomorrow. Deshmukh revealed that Salman Khan did not initially approach him for the project but insisted on joining after learning about the shoot’s start date. During a recent Marathi chat, Deshmukh recounted the moment Salman expressed his desire to be part of the film. Deshmukh explained that he had not considered Salman for the role initially. “I didn’t go to him for this film,” he said, recalling their meeting during New Year’s. Salman, curious about the project, asked when filming would begin. Deshmukh told him the shoot was starting that month and inquired about Salman’s potential role. Salman responded with urgency, stating, “No, no, no… you can’t make the film without me. I have to be in it.” Deshmukh described the moment as deeply moving, noting how Salman’s insistence made him realize the importance of the role. This was not the first time Salman Khan had collaborated with Deshmukh. The actor had previously appeared in Deshmukh’s Marathi film Lai Bhaari, where he requested a scene. Deshmukh shared how Salman had been eager to participate even before the project was finalized. “When I did Lai Bhaari, Salman Khan was in it. At the time, he requested, ‘I want to do a scene.’” Similarly, during the production of Ved, Salman had agreed to meet Deshmukh without hesitation. “When I was working on Ved, I called him and said, ‘Brother, I want to meet you.’ He said, ‘Done!’ I said, ‘When?’ He said, ‘For which role? You want to meet—it’s done.#salman_khan #jio_studios #riteish_deshmukh #raja_shivaji #mumbai_film_company
