CM Chandrababu Holds High-Level Meet : లాకప్ డె*త్ ఇష్యూపై పవన్, డీజీపీతో చంద్రబాబు కీలక సమావేశం

Rishab Shetty’s ambitious historical epic, The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is reportedly being expanded into a two-part franchise with a staggering budget exceeding ₹500 crore, making it one of the most expensive Indian film projects ever conceived.

The scale of the venture reflects the makers’ confidence in the subject as well as Rishab Shetty’s growing pan-India appeal following the phenomenal success of Kantara. However, such a massive investment also brings significant risks.

In recent years, audiences have seen several films and series based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha Empire. Stories linked to Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy, including those centered on Sambhaji Maharaj, have performed exceptionally well at the box office. While the subject enjoys strong audience interest, its familiarity means the makers must offer something truly fresh and spectacular to stand apart from previous adaptations.

At the same time, the enduring popularity of historical dramas based on the Maratha Empire could work in the film’s favor. Recent successes in the genre have demonstrated that audiences continue to embrace such stories when presented on a grand scale.

Perhaps the biggest strength of the project is Rishab Shetty himself. Since Kantara, the actor-director has built a loyal fan base not only in the South but also across North India. If The Pride of Bharat delivers compelling storytelling, breathtaking visuals, and emotional depth, the two-part saga has the potential to emerge as a landmark blockbuster.

For now, the project represents a classic high-risk, high-reward gamble—one that could either redefine the historical genre in Indian cinema or face the challenge of audience fatigue. The stakes, undoubtedly, could not be higher.