Home / Arts and Entertainment / Bombay HC Dismisses PIL Against 'Raja Shivaji' Title
Bombay HC Dismisses PIL Against 'Raja Shivaji' Title
1 May
Summary
- High Court rejected a plea to stay the film's release.
- The PIL questioned the omission of 'Chhatrapati' from the title.
- Court cited the film's focus on Shivaji Maharaj before his coronation.
The Bombay High Court has dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought to prevent the theatrical release of the Marathi-Hindi bilingual film 'Raja Shivaji'. The petition, filed by the Sree Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Foundation, objected to the film's title omitting the honorific 'Chhatrapati', arguing it was disrespectful to the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
A division bench, led by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, rejected the PIL, stating it did not represent a genuine public cause and was filed only two days before the film's scheduled release on May 1, 2026. The court found no insult or derogatory remarks in the title 'Raja Shivaji' concerning the Maratha ruler's status.
During the proceedings, it was clarified that the film's narrative centers on Shivaji Maharaj's life prior to his coronation in 1674, when he officially received the title 'Chhatrapati.' A disclaimer regarding this historical context was included and approved by the Central Board of Film Certification. The court also noted the title had been in the public domain since February 2024.
