Rishab Shetty to Star as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Epic Historical Drama ‘The Pride Of Bharat’
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 3: National award-winning actor Rishab Shetty is set to star in one of the most ambitious historical films in recent years, titled The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The film will offer a grand retelling of the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, one of India’s most revered warrior kings, who played a pivotal role in reshaping Indian history and defending his kingdom against Mughal invaders. The movie is expected to be a visual masterpiece, featuring high-octane action sequences, cutting-edge VFX, and a powerful musical score. The production team, consisting of global experts and technicians, aims to bring Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy to life on the big screen.
Speaking about his role, Rishab Shetty, best known for his breakout film Kantara, expressed his excitement in a statement, saying, “It’s an honor beyond words to play Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in The Pride of Bharat. He is a national hero whose influence transcends history, and I feel immense pride in bringing his extraordinary story to the screen.”
Directed by Sandeep Singh, The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is scheduled for a worldwide release on January 21, 2027.
In addition to this film, Rishab Shetty will also be featured in Kantara: Chapter 1 under the banner of Hombale Films. The teaser for the film was released in November 2023, showcasing seven different ragas of music, each representing one of the seven languages in which the film will be released.
In Kantara, Rishab Shetty took on a dual role, acting as Shiva and his father, a Daiva Kola performer. The film, which he also directed, tells the story of a man possessed by two deities, Guliga Deva and Panjuluri Deva, to rid his village of evil.
The production of Kantara Chapter 1 involved the creation of a massive set with the help of 600 carpenters from Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, as well as stunt masters for one of the film’s key sequences. Set in 300–401 AD during the Kadamba dynasty’s reign in present-day Uttar Kannada, the mythological thriller is scheduled to release on October 2, 2025.
Rishab Shetty will also appear in the sequel to Hanu-Man, titled Jai Hanuman, directed by Prasanth Varma, with its release date yet to be announced.