Actor Abhishek Bachchan has spoken about the emotional response he received from audiences after the release of Raja Shivaji, revealing that a fan recently addressed him as “Shambhu Raje” at a traffic signal — something he said had never happened to him before.
In an interview with India Today, Abhishek reflected on the impact of portraying a revered historical figure and credited actor-director Riteish Deshmukh for trusting him with the role.
“The other day I was stopped at a traffic signal, and someone called me Shambhu Raje. That has never happened to me before. It just shows what these figures mean to people,” Abhishek shared, describing the moment as both surreal and humbling.
The actor said the experience also deepened his understanding of the responsibility that comes with portraying historical icons associated with strong emotional and cultural significance.
Released on May 1, Raja Shivaji explores the life, politics and legacy surrounding Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Abhishek revealed that while preparing for the film, he discovered several lesser-known aspects of Maratha history that fascinated him.
“What amazed me was that I wasn’t aware Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had an elder brother and that they shared such a deep bond. Then Riteish started explaining the politics, conflicts and layers of that era — it became incredibly intriguing,” he said.
Abhishek also praised the extensive research process behind the film, noting that historians and researchers were present throughout the shoot to maintain authenticity and historical depth.
“The depth of research was wonderful. I loved speaking with the historians on set because I’m a huge history buff,” he added.
According to the actor, what sets Raja Shivaji apart from previous historical films is its focus on political complexities, day-to-day struggles and emotional depth rather than simply retelling familiar historical events.
“What I truly enjoyed was seeing the intrigue, the pressures and the politics Shivaji Maharaj had to deal with every day. That’s what gives this film its uniqueness,” he said.
Speaking about portraying revered personalities, Abhishek admitted he constantly felt the pressure of doing justice to characters deeply respected by millions.
“When you perform these scenes, you feel proud, but also a huge responsibility. You don’t want to do them any injustice. You want to portray them with dignity and respect,” he explained.
The actor also shared his close bond with Riteish Deshmukh, saying he immediately trusted the filmmaker’s vision without hesitation.
“He’s my little brother. I’ll do anything for him. But I also know he would never offer me something unless he truly believed I could do justice to it,” Abhishek said.
Raja Shivaji has continued to generate strong audience reactions, particularly among Marathi viewers, with many praising the performances, historical detailing and emotional storytelling.
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