After Dhurandhar The Revenge, Arjun Rampal Joins Rishab Shetty’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj As An Antagonist-Report

Arjun Rampal is on a career high, riding strong critical acclaim for his intense performance as Major Iqbal in Dhurandhar The Revenge. The actor, who has been praised for portraying a ruthless ISI mastermind. Is now gearing up for another ambitious big-screen outing. In a significant casting update that adds to the scale of an already high-profile project. Rampal has signed on to star in a period epic based on one of India’s most revered historical figures.

After Dhurandhar 2, Arjun Rampal Joins Rishab Shetty’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj As An Antagonist

According to Variety India, Arjun Rampal has joined the cast of Rishab Shetty’s upcoming film The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film is directed by Sandeep Singh. And it is being mounted on a grand scale and is expected to go on floors in the second half of this year.

Arjun Rampal will reportedly play one of the key antagonists in the film, marking a powerful addition to the cast. The project also stars Shefali Shah, who will portray Rajmata Jijabai, the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Envisioned as a large-scale cinematic spectacle, the film aims to chronicle the life and brilliance of the legendary Maratha warrior. Celebrating his courage in challenging the might of the Mughal Empire and building a lasting legacy.

Our Honour & Privilege, Presenting the Epic Saga of India’s Greatest Warrior King – The Pride of Bharat: #ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj. #ThePrideOfBharatChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj

This isn’t just a film – it’s a battle cry to honor a warrior who fought against all odds, challenged… pic.twitter.com/CeXO2K9H9Q

— Rishab Shetty (@shetty_rishab) December 3, 2024

Arjun Rampal’s Upcoming Projects

This marks Arjun Rampal’s first project announcement following the release of Dhurandhar The Revenge. The actor also has a busy slate ahead, including O Saathi Re, directed by Imtiaz Ali. Where he stars alongside Aditi Rao Hydari and Avinash Tiwary. Additionally, several of his projects are awaiting release, such as 3 Monkeys and Penthouse, directed by Abbas-Mustan. Along with Punjab 95, Blind Game, and Battle of Bhima Koregaon.

Interestingly, The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not the only film currently in development on this topic. Riteish Deshmukh is also set to bring his own vision to the big screen with Raja Shivaji. The movie is slated for a theatrical release on May 1, 2026. The film features a star-studded ensemble including Genelia Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan, Bhagyashree, and Sachin Khedekar. Promising a fresh cinematic take on the iconic ruler.

With multiple big-budget projects exploring the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, audiences can expect a renewed focus on historical storytelling, with Arjun Rampal’s latest casting adding further intrigue to the cinematic landscape.

About Dhurandhar 2

Dhurandhar: The Revenge stars Ranveer Singh as Jaskirat Singh Rangi, an Indian spy who goes deep undercover in Karachi under the alias Hamza Ali Mazari. The film follows Hamza’s ascent in Lyari’s criminal underworld as he works to dismantle terror networks while pursuing a personal vendetta. The sequel to the 2025 hit also sees R. Madhavan returning as Ajay Sanyal and Sanjay Dutt as SP Chaudhary Aslam. Arjun Rampal reprises his role as Major Iqbal, with Sara Arjun playing Ranveer’s love interest, Yalina. The pan-India project was officially released in theatres on 19 March, in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. The film has already crossed the Rs 100 Cr mark on its first day, making it the first ever Bollywood movie to do so.

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Also Read: Dhurandhar The Revenge: Jr NTR, Mahesh Babu Praise Ranveer Singh, Aditya Dhar’s Sequel; Call It, “Standing Ovation Worthy, Explosion”

Varsha Tiwari

Varsha Tiwari is a budding content writer passionate about Bollywood, pop culture, and the stories behind the spotlight. She enjoys breaking down trends, celebrity moments, and film narratives into engaging, reader-friendly content. Always curious and observant, she is currently pursuing a Master’s in Communication and Journalism. Outside of writing, she enjoys painting because storytelling doesn’t always need words to make an impact.