Riteish Deshmukh, the director and lead actor of the blockbuster film 'Raja Shivaji', has recently addressed the widespread speculation surrounding the film's rumoured budget of Rs 100 crore. In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Deshmukh urged audiences and the industry to shift their focus back to the cinematic experience, rather than obsessing over the film's budget.
Deshmukh's comments come as 'Raja Shivaji' continues its strong run at the box office, with the film based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film stars Genelia Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, and Sanjay Dutt, among others. The film was released in theatres on May 1, 2026.
Deshmukh's perspective on the budget speculation is one of pragmatism. He states that only the producers know the real budget, and that discussing the budget of a film is irrelevant to the cinematic experience. He questions why budget has become such a dominant conversation in today's film culture, suggesting that the focus should be on the wonder and magic of the moviegoing experience.
Deshmukh draws from his own childhood experiences to illustrate his point. He recalls watching Amitabh Bachchan's films, such as 'Sholay', without ever thinking about the budget. Instead, he wanted to enjoy the big-screen entertainment. Deshmukh stresses that wonder, not numbers, should define the moviegoing experience.
Deshmukh also turns the lens on the industry itself, acknowledging that Bollywood has played a role in normalising the obsession with numbers. He states that the industry has made it a game to wonder how much actors charge for films, and that this is a mistake. Deshmukh suggests that the industry should stop feeding these numbers and instead focus on the cinematic experience.
In conclusion, Deshmukh's comments highlight the importance of the cinematic experience over budget speculation. He urges audiences and the industry to shift their focus back to the wonder and magic of the moviegoing experience, rather than obsessing over the film's budget. This perspective is one that resonates with many in the film industry and among moviegoers, as the cinematic experience is ultimately what makes films so special.
