Bhagyashree With ‘Raja Shivaji’ she is entering one of the most emotional layers of her career where she portrays Rajmata Jijabai, his mother. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The actor recently explained what convinced him to take the part immediately Riteish Deshmukhambitious historical drama and why the story moved him deeply. According to Bhagyashree, it was not another film offer but a project rooted in history, emotion and the spirit of Swaraj.
Why didn’t Bhagyashree take time to say yes to ‘Raja Shivaji’?
Recalling her first interaction with Riteish about the film, Bhagyashree told Variety India that she had made up her mind even before hearing the full narration. He shared, “‘Raja Shivaji’ is not just a film. It is special for all of us because we are deeply rooted in our history. We heard about the wars fought by the Maratha warriors in the school history books.’
Saying that Riteish was approached for the role, “Riteish called me and said he was doing a film based on Shivaji Maharaj and wanted to meet me. The moment he walked in the door, I said, ‘Whatever, yes’.” However, Riteish still insisted on telling the story in detail.“He insisted that I listen to the subject. So he sat down to narrate two scenes, but the intensity was so great that I couldn’t stop listening and he couldn’t stop narrating. We sat there for four hours,” he recalled.
Why did the story of Shivaji Maharaj resonate with Bhagyashree?
Bhagyashree explained that the historical significance of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj made the project emotionally meaningful for her. “Shivaji Raje is such a historic figure in Indian history that without him we would not have been able to face the Mughals. He is the one who embodied what Swaraj stood for and that is relevant even today,” he said. The actor believes that the emotional core of the film lies in the understanding of freedom, sacrifice and family in the face of pure war.For Bhagyashree, portraying Rajmata Jijabai was not just about wearing historical costumes or providing dramatic scenes. She saw the role as an opportunity to represent the strength and wisdom of the women of the time. Explaining what drew her to the character, she said, “In those days women, especially Maharashtrian women, were almost equal to men. They were involved in politics and everything that happened around them. Rajmata Jijabai was the realization of that.’ She also added that modern women can still relate to Jijabai’s resilience and balance between family and responsibility.“Women today can look at her as someone who can manage both her home and state affairs. When we look at working women who manage both roles, it doesn’t make you less of a woman, nor does it make you more of a man. It brings out the power of what a woman is capable of,” shared Bhagyashree.
‘Raja Shivaji’ focuses more on emotions than war
While many historical dramas rely on large-scale battles and action sequences, Bhagyashree revealed that Riteish wanted ‘Raja Shivaji’ to explore a more intimate and emotional perspective. “That’s what Riteish said. He told me, ‘I’m not making a war film or an action film. I’m making a film about a man who wanted his family to taste independence.’ That’s a beautiful thought,” he said. The actor reflected on how people today celebrate independence without always understanding its deeper meaning and sacrifice.
The role stayed with Bhagyashree beyond the set
The actress admitted that playing Rajmata Jijabai gave her a deeper understanding of sacrifice, courage and motherhood. Comparing the emotions of the film to the sacrifices made by soldiers’ families today, he concluded, “Even today when jawans lose their lives, that happens. I think that really stuck with me.”With ‘Raja Shivaji’, Bhagyashree believes that the audience will witness not just a historical show but a deeply human story about family, strength and the sense of freedom.
