T-Series Boards Rishab Shetty’s Two-Part Shivaji Epic

By Grace Kim

India’s T-Series Films will produce “The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj” in two parts, with filming beginning in early 2027. Rishab Shetty stars as the Maratha king in Sandeep Singh’s historical epic.

According to T-Series, pre-production, the preparation before filming, is under way ahead of the 2027 shoot. Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar will produce for T-Series Films, and Shetty will also co-produce. To mark the partnership, Bhushan Kumar presented Shetty with a century-old painting of the Maratha ruler.

T-Series’ announcement points to Shetty’s work on “Kantara,” the 2022 Kannada-language hit he wrote, directed and starred in. The announcement notes that it won him the Indian National Film Award for best actor and that its 2025 prequel, “Kantara: Chapter 1,” grossed more than $91 million worldwide. According to T-Series, Shetty and Singh first announced the film in December 2024.

What does the two-part format change?

The format gives the story room to cover more ground. T-Series says the saga will follow Shivaji Maharaj through his major battles and victories, the sacrifices that came with them and episodes from his life that are less widely known.

The company says the story centers on his skill as a military strategist, his leadership and his idea of Swarajya (self-rule). The production will have a large ensemble cast and a creative team combining talent from India and abroad.

Bhushan Kumar framed the project as a responsibility to a shared legacy. He said:

“Maharashtra and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have given us a legacy to be proud of, and I believe it is our responsibility to honor that legacy through cinema and share it with the world.

When Sandeep Singh narrated ‘The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,’ I felt a deep sense of responsibility to bring this extraordinary story to the big screen.”

Kumar also cited Shetty’s screen presence and his ability to bring legendary figures to life. He called the team the right combination “to bring the courage, vision and spirit of Swarajya to audiences across generations. For T-Series, this is more than a film; it is a tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his timeless legacy.”

A familiar historical subject

Shivaji Maharaj founded the Maratha kingdom in 17th-century western India and spent much of his life fighting the Mughal Empire, according to T-Series’ announcement. The company describes him as revered in Maharashtra and a frequent subject for Indian filmmakers.

T-Series’ announcement lists “Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior” (2020), the Marathi film “Har Har Mahadev” (2022) and “Chhaava” (2025), which centered on his son Sambhaji. It also records that Riteish Deshmukh directed and starred as the king in May’s “Raja Shivaji.” Released in Hindi and Marathi, the film became the highest-grossing Marathi film of all time.

The team behind the epic

T-Series confirms that Sandeep Singh co-wrote the film with Rishi Virmani. The announcement identifies Gulshan Kumar and T-Series Films as presenters, with Legend Studios producing alongside T-Series Films. T-Series adds Shiv Chanana and Kabiir Sadanand as co-producers alongside Shetty.

The announcement sets no release date, cast list or division of material between the two parts. The early 2027 filming start is the first test of whether the team can extend Shetty’s audience from “Kantara” and its prequel to a broader account of strategy, sacrifice and lesser-known episodes.