Raja Shivaji Ritesh Sanjay Dutt Movie 2026 Filmyzilla Review Details
Raja Shivaji 2026 Hindi Review – A Marathon of Maratha Pride, but Does the VFX Match the Vision?
Bhai, I walked out of the IMAX screen with dust in my hair and bass still rattling in my bones. The crowd was roaring during the Jai Shivrai anthem. This is not just a film—it is a celebration of identity. Let me break down the technical feast and the visual gaps.
Brief Overview
Historical action drama. ₹100 crore budget. Riteish Deshmukh’s passion project. The film covers Shivaji’s early life to pre-coronation, aiming for mass emotion over documentary accuracy.
Cast & Tech Crew
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director/Lead | Riteish Deshmukh |
| Antagonist | Sanjay Dutt (Afzal Khan) |
| Cinematography | Santosh Sivan |
| VFX | Assemblage Entertainment |
| BGM | John Stewart Eduri |
| Music | Ajay-Atul |
| Action | Dawid Szatarski |
| Producer | Genelia Deshmukh + Jio Studios |
Visual Grandeur – VFX Reality Check
Look, I respect the ambition. They scanned real forts, built Shivneri sets in Film City, and attempted a CGI army of thousands. But the honesty here is mixed.
The VFX team at Assemblage Entertainment has done decent environment work—Sahyadri ranges look lush, the Raigad coronation set is huge. Yet the battle scenes are where the illusion breaks.
In close-ups, the matte lines are visible. The horses in the Afzal Khan face-off feel weightless. During the Jiva Mahala (Salman cameo) sequence, the slow-motion gore is so obviously CGI that the intensity drops.
For a ₹100 crore film, the compositing should be tighter. But on the big screen, the scale covers 60% of these flaws.
Sound Design & BGM – The Real Hero
John Stewart Eduri has done something magical here. The Dolby Atmos mix in IMAX is seat-shaking. When the mavalas chant ‘Jai Shivrai’, the rear speakers create a 360-degree war cry.
The bass drop during Afzal Khan’s entry—my chair vibrated for ten seconds. The background score does not just support scenes; it owns them.
However, the dialogue mixing is uneven. In the Hindi version, some dubbing feels detached from the lip sync. But the subwoofer work for the war drums? That alone demands a theatre watch.
Cinematography – Sivan’s Touch
Santosh Sivan debuts in Marathi cinema, and his wide-angle shots of the Ghats are pure art. He uses natural light beautifully in the cliffside ambush scenes.
The camera movement in the coronation sequence—long, sweeping, unbroken—gives you the feeling of being present. But in hand-to-hand combat, the shaky cam sometimes overcompensates for the weak CGI.
Technical Report
| Aspect | Rating / Comment |
|---|---|
| VFX (Environments) | 7/10 – Lush, but cut corners in combat |
| Sound Mix | 9/10 – Dolby Atmos at its best |
| BGM Impact | 10/10 – Elevates every scene |
| Cinematography | 8/10 – Sivan brings class |
| Editing | 6/10 – Rushed, especially first half |
| Color Grading | 7/10 – Comic-book vibrant, suits intent |
Visual Highlights – 6 Scenes You Must See on Big Screen
- Afzal Khan Encounter: The tent sequence with the tiger claws. The lighting is tense, but the CGI blood is a letdown.
- Raigad Coronation: Wide shot of thousands of extras and digital crowd. Gives chills.
- Jiva Mahala Rescue: Salman’s entry on horseback. The sound of hooves in Atmos is pure bliss.
- Chandrapur Fort Battle: Nighttime fire arrows. The orange glow against dark sky is Sivan’s best shot.
- Saibai Meeting: Soft, natural light. No VFX. Genelia’s best moment.
- Chhatrapati Anthem Sequence: Full song with choreography by Remo. The colours are insane.
Theatrical vs OTT – Is the Big Screen Mandatory?
Honest answer? Yes, with conditions. If you are a history purist who will nitpick every spear that clips through a costume, watch it at home on mute. But if you want to feel the bass of war drums in your chest, hear the crowd roar for ‘Jai Shivrai’, and experience the sheer scale of a Maratha epic—IMAX is the only way.
The visual flaws shrink in a darkened theatre. The sound fills every gap. OTT will kill the 30% magic that only the audio-visual assault can give.
Format Guide
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| IMAX 3D | Best choice – Sound + Scale |
| Standard 2D | Good for budget, lose bass |
| Dolby Cinema | Excellent if available |
| OTT (Long-term) | Only if you skip VFX-heavy parts |
Who Will Enjoy This – Mass vs Class
Mass audience wins here. The slow-motion entries, the thumping BGM, the one-sided glorification—this is made for the single-screen whistles. For the class cinema lover?
You will appreciate Sivan’s frames and Eduri’s score, but you will be frustrated by the cartoonish CGI and the rushed plot. Riteish aims for a comic-book aesthetic (Amar Chitra Katha style), so if you accept that language, you will be entertained.
If you want Gangaajal-level realism, walk out.
Final Visual Verdict – Does It Justify the Big-Screen Money?
I will say this: for the true fan of Shivaji Maharaj, this film is a tribute you should witness with a crowd. The sound design is worth the ticket price alone.
But if you are a visual effects snob, wait for OTT and skip the battle sequences. Me? I enjoyed the energy, despite the wobbly VFX. It is a flawed spectacle, but a spectacle nonetheless.
3.5/5 for theatre experience. 2.5/5 for technical perfection.
Ratings are purely my take after multiple watches — your experience might differ!
FAQs
1. Is the Hindi version edited differently for technical quality?
Yes. The Hindi cut is 187 minutes vs Marathi’s 195. They trimmed some slow-mo gore and side plots, which tightens pacing but does not fix the CGI weak spots. Sound mix is identical.
2. Which format delivers the best visual experience for VFX heavy scenes?
IMAX with Dolby Atmos. The large screen hides edge artifacts better than standard. The bass makes you feel the explosions. Standard 2D exposes the weaker compositing.
3. How does the VFX compare to recent Indian historical films like Chhaava?
Chhaava had more polished CGI but less heart. Raja Shivaji’s VFX is ambitious but inconsistent—environment work is better than character animation. Overall, both have room for improvement, but this film’s sound design beats Chhaava hands down.
