Bhagyashree Defends Playing Mother To 10 Years Younger Riteish Deshmukh In Raja Shivaji | Exclusive

Raja

Shivaji, the latest Rs 100 crore Marathi film, featured Riteish Deshmukh in the titular role. The story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is incomplete without the contribution of Rajmata Jijabai. Bhagyashree played the role of the fierce warrior mother to the Maratha kingdom’s ruler. In an exclusive interview with Zoom following the success of Raja Shivaji, Bhagyashree reacted to playing mother to Riteish, who is just 10 years younger than her. Defending the casting of the historical drama, the actress said there was no chance for her to decline the role that was instrumental in shaping the history of Maharashtra.

Bhagyashree reacts to playing mother to Riteish Deshmukh in Raja Shivaji

Talking to Zoom, Bhagyashree said, “When you get to play a role that you have grown up hearing stories about, there is no question to say no. Besides, Jijau was a young mother. In fact, Santosh Sivan sir called me up to say, ‘Sorry, I had to make you look older with camera work, still look so youthful’. Now that is a compliment I will hold close to my heart. After all, he is the maestro cinematographer, Santosh Sivan.”

Bhagyashree's introduction to Shivaji's stories

Just like Jijabai, Bhagyashree belongs to the Patwardhan royal family of Sangli in Maharashtra. Her father, Vijay Singhrao Madhavrao Patwardhan, is the titular king of Sangli. When asked how the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji was introduced to her, she added, “Shivaji Maharaj's stories were told to us, probably even before the tales of Goldilocks, Hansel and Gretel, etc. Children built sandcastles on the beach, we used to build Shivaji's killa with mud and clay.”

About Raja Shivaji

Raja Shivaji’s cast also included Sanjay Dutt as Afzal Khan, Abhishek Bachchan as Sambhaji Shahaji Maharaj (Shivaji Maharaj's brother), Sachin Khedekar as Shahaji Raje Bhosale, Vidya Balan as Badi Begum (Adilshah's wife), Fardeen Khan as Shah Jahan, Jitendra Joshi as Pant, Amol Gupte as Adilshah and Genelia Deshmukh as Sai Bai. Raja Shivaji released in Marathi, Hindi and Telugu on May 1, which was celebrated as Maharashtra Day or International Labour Day. The film has touched the Rs 111 crore mark at the worldwide box office so far. Raja Shivaji concluded with the Maratha ruler killing Afzal Khan, hinting at a possible sequel in the future. While Riteish served as the titular character, he was also the director and co-producer with Genelia Deshmukh under their home banner, Mumbai Film Company.