Riding high on the success of Dhurandhar: The Revenge, actor Arjun Rampal is set to take on another intense role—this time in Rishab Shetty’s ambitious historical drama, The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The film, which is being mounted as a grand pan-India project, will see Rishab Shetty step into the role of the legendary Maratha warrior king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. According to recent reports, Rampal—who impressed audiences with his menacing performance in Dhurandhar 2—has been roped in to play the primary antagonist, setting up a powerful on-screen clash.

The development has generated significant buzz, especially as Rampal’s portrayal of a ruthless villain in Dhurandhar has been widely appreciated. His entry into this historical epic is expected to add further intensity and scale to the narrative.

Joining the lead cast is acclaimed actress Shefali Shah, who will reportedly portray Rajmata Jijabai, Shivaji Maharaj’s mother. The film is being directed and produced by Sandeep Singh, marking his directorial debut, with music composed by Pritam and cinematography handled by Ravi Varman.

Production for the film is expected to commence in the second half of 2026, with a tentative release planned for 2027.

Meanwhile, Rishab Shetty continues his strong run following the massive success of Kantara: Chapter 1, which reportedly crossed ₹800 crore at the box office. He is also currently working on Jai Hanuman, further expanding his lineup of large-scale projects.

Arjun Rampal, too, has a packed schedule ahead. Apart from this historical venture, he will be seen in Imtiaz Ali’s Netflix project O Saathi Re alongside Aditi Rao Hydari, along with several other films including 3 Monkeys, Penthouse, Punjab ’95, and Battle of Bhima Koregaon.

With a compelling cast and a grand historical backdrop, The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated films in the coming years.