At the Zee 24 Taas Maharashtra Gaurav Awards held on May 26, 2026, Bollywood actor and producer Riteish Deshmukh was honored by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his significant contributions to Indian cinema. Deshmukh's recognition comes on the heels of his successful film 'Raja Shivaji', where he portrays the legendary Maratha king. The film, co-written and directed by Deshmukh, has made headlines not only for its historical significance but also for its impressive box office performance, grossing over ₹124.55 crore, making it the highest-grossing Marathi film of all time. Interestingly, Deshmukh disclosed that the star cast worked without remuneration to honor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, emphasizing their commitment to preserving historical authenticity. The film is being screened in both Hindi and Marathi, aiming to educate families and children about the Maratha warrior's legacy during the summer holidays.