Riteish Deshmukh and his wife, Genelia D’Souza are all set to own the screen in the upcoming historic film, Raja Shivaji after blockbuster movies like Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya, Tujhe Meri Kasam and more. For the unversed, the much-awaited movie, Raja Shivaji explores the legacy of Maratha Empire and its founder, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. However, recently, during the trailer launch, Riteish and Genelia got emotional while speaking to the paparazzi.
Riteish Deshmukh breaks down as he remembers his late father
Recently, a while ago, Instant Bollywood took to their Instagram handle to share a video, featuring Riteish and his wife, Genelia. The duo broke down as they remembered their father. In the video, Riteish can be seen talking about his father, who passed away years ago. In the video clip, Riteish Deshmukh, the director and actor of Raja Shivaji, opted for an off-white suit, whereas Genelia looked gorgeous in a pink saree.
Moments after the video went viral, multiple users showered love on the couple. One user commented, “Miss you saheb.” Another user wrote, “Emotional pain.” A third user penned, “No matter how old you grow, you always need your father.” A fourth user commented, “One of the finest and handsome personality in Indian politics, have great memories of him.” A user also shared, “Riteish saheb.”
Riteish Deshmukh’s father passed away in 2012
Riteish Deshmukh’s father, Vilasrao Deshmukh, a well-known politician tragically passed away in 2012, due to multiple organ failure. Reportedly, he had been suffering from liver cancer for a while. Later, he was admitted to the hospital after his health worsened. He was also put on life-support. However, the 67-year-old politician passed away before his liver could be transplanted. Years after, in 2024, Riteish attended an event, where he shared:
“It has been 12 years since my father passed away. Tough twelve years have passed since Saheb left us. Occasionally, the pain surfaces. He always used to shine, and even now, he shines. This shine never fades. He stayed strong, so that we, his children, feel the need to stand tall. To stand tall not just for ourselves, but for the responsibilities that come with being his children. Today, although he is not physically present, his love for us is evident, and it burns brightly on this stage.”
What to expect from Raja Shivaji?
Riteish Deshmukh’s film, Raja Shivaji is all set to hit the theatres on May 1, 2026. For the unversed, the trailer of the same has been released. The upcoming movie is directed by the Ved actor, who will portray the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. For those who do not know, he was one of the most respected Indian warriors. Apart from Riteish, the movie also stars Genelia Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan, Boman Irani, Mahesh Manjrekar, Fardeen Khan and more. It is worth noting that Abhishek Bachchan is expected to play the role of Sambhaji Shahaji Raje Bhosle.
Overall, cinephiles can expect a cinematic experience, featuring large-scale battle sequences, grand sets, beautiful costumes and more. Considering the amazing crew behind the scenes, fans have a lot of expectations from the narrative. Recently, the director of the movie, Riteish opened up about the movie and shared that it took him nearly 10 years to make Raja Shivaji. In his words:
“For 10 years, I have been trying to make Raja Shivaji. When we finally began in 2023, it feels like even Maharaj is saying – now your time has come. Because dreams alone don’t make things happen. To bring them to life, you need support. Jio Studios and Jyoti Deshpande stood by us and showed that courage and I am extremely grateful to them.”
Watch the video here!
What are your thoughts on Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh getting emotional at the trailer launch of Raja Shivaji? Let us know.
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