Jio Studios’ Iron Lady Jyoti Deshpande Asserts Raja Shivaji Celebrates Indian Culture And History

Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company's Raja Shivaji is grabbing headlines for all the right reasons, strengthening its stand as one of the most anticipated historical epics based on the life and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the visionary founder of Hindavi Swarajya. During the recently held trailer launch event, Jyoti Deshpande, President of Jio Studios, opened up about the film and shared how it celebrates India's history and culture on a global scale!

Jyoti Deshpande thanked the audience for extending support throughout her off-beat film choices. Delving into Raja Shivaji - helmed, headlined, produced and written by Riteish Vilasrao Deshmukh - Jyoti revealed that she's been in discussions about the film with Deshmukh for nearly 8 years. "I set up Jio Studios in 2018, and since then, we've been discussing this film. I used to keep telling Riteish that the time will come, and we will make it. And a couple of years ago, we finally decided that we are making it."

She added, "I've always said that my focus through our films is how we can celebrate our country, our culture, our history, and our mythology." The iron lady then praised Riteish Deshmukh and shared that the actor comes to the fore with the right intentions, a value that aligns with Jyoti's belief - "When the intent is right, the purpose is right, and the right people come together with that intent, the result is always good even if on paper it may not absolutely make sense or may seem like madness. So yes, I accept being that "madwoman."

Deshpande applauded the film's cast and stated, "If the intent is aligned and when everyone comes together with the same intent, purpose and goal, we end up punching above our weight."

"The rest is up to the audience. And I always say that there is no language to a story. A story is an emotion, and emotion does not need a language. In English, we call it "language agnostic." That's exactly the kind of story we have created, no matter which language you watch it in, you will feel the same emotion. The entire country will enjoy it, and the whole world will enjoy it. That has been our attempt," she concluded.

With Jio Studios, Jyoti Deshpande aims to champion stories that are rooted in India yet resonate universally. Through Raja Shivaji, she presents a compelling, lesser-known tale of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, one that traces his humble beginnings and his rise as the 'Chhatrapati'.

The film features a formidable ensemble cast from Hindi and Marathi cinema, including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Boman Irani, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Amol Gupte, Genelia Deshmukh, and Riteish Vilasrao Deshmukh.

Presented by Jio Studios, Raja Shivaji, a Mumbai Film Company production, is produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh. Raja Shivaji, a historical epic based on the life and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is set to release in cinemas worldwide on May 1, 2026, in Marathi and Hindi, bringing to life an epic that celebrates India's history with scale, soul, and spectacle.