Riteish Deshmukh slams 'distorted nonsense' about Raja Shivaji

Actor Riteish Deshmukh on Sunday reacted strongly to what he described as “distorted nonsense” about the legacy of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Although Ritieish did not name anyone, his X post came in the wake of recent remarks about Raja Shivaji by self-styled godman Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba.

The actor's reaction came at a time when his film, Raja Shivaji, is preparing for a theatrical release on May 1. He has acted in, directed and co-written the historical film.

The 47-year-old actor wrote a strong post in Marathi on X without



naming anyone. The translation of his post reads, "When someone comes along and spews some distorted nonsense about our cherished deity, as a Shiv-premi and Shiv-bhakt, this is unacceptable and infuriating. Such futile attempts to belittle the legacy will not be tolerated at all (sic)."

"But just as the mountain ranges of the Sahyadri have existed for millions of years before, so too will that one name endure for crores of years in the future. And that name is of the Kshatriya lineage, the Lord of the Throne, the Emperor of Emperors, Chhatrapati Maharaj (sic),” the post adds.