Rishab Shetty’s ambitious historical film The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is reportedly being expanded into a two-part franchise with a budget exceeding ₹500 crore, making it one of the costliest Indian films ever planned.
The scale of the project underlines the makers’ confidence in the story and in Rishab’s growing pan-India popularity after the phenomenal success of Kantara. However, the big question is whether such a massive investment comes with considerable risk.
Over the last few years, audiences have witnessed several films and series based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha empire. More recently, stories connected to Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy, including films centered on Sambhaji Maharaj, have found tremendous success at the box office.
The subject is already familiar to audiences, which means the makers will have to offer something fresh and spectacular to stand out. At the same time, familiarity can also work in the film’s favor. Historical dramas based on the Maratha empire continue to attract strong audience interest, as seen with recent successes in the genre.
The biggest advantage is Rishab Shetty himself. Since Kantara, he has built a strong following not only in the South but also across North India. If the film delivers powerful storytelling, grand visuals, and emotional depth, the two-part saga could become a record-breaking phenomenon.
For now, The Pride of Bharat looks like a high-risk, high-reward gamble, one that could either redefine the historical genre or face the challenge of audience fatigue. The stakes could not be higher.
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