Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia Deshmukh share emotional moment, actor calls Abhishek Bachchan a brother

Riteish Deshmukh turned emotional at the trailer launch of Raja Shivaji in Mumbai, as he addressed the audience and his team. The actor director was seen struggling to hold back tears while expressing gratitude to those who supported the film. The event, attended by several industry names, took a heartfelt turn during his speech.

Among those present were Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, and Vidya Balan. As visuals from the launch surfaced online, the emotional exchange between Riteish and Abhishek stood out. Speaking in Marathi, Riteish thanked his colleagues and said, “I am very thankful to Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan and the entire team of Raja Shivaji who decided to become a part of this movie. Abhishek stood with me like a brother.” His voice broke as he completed the statement.

Genelia Deshmukh, who plays a key role in the film and is also one of its producers, was seen getting emotional during the moment. She attended the launch dressed in a traditional pink Nauvari saree, paired with a nath, gajra, and Maharashtrian jewellery. In the film, she portrays Saibai Rani Saheb, an important figure in the narrative.

Speaking at the event, Abhishek Bachchan kept his remarks brief and light, but noted that being part of a story rooted in history and national importance was a clear decision for him. Veteran actor Mahesh Manjrekar praised the trailer and credited Riteish’s direction and vision for shaping the project.

Actor Bhagyashree, who essays Jijao, spoke about the depth of her role. She described the character as a strong influence behind the idea of Swarajya and central to shaping the journey of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Backed by Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh under Mumbai Film Company, and presented by Jio Studios, the film is set for a worldwide release in Marathi and Hindi on May 1, generating strong early buzz.