Looks like we won’t be seeing Shahid Kapoor don the armor of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj anytime soon. In what’s definitely disappointing news for fans, director Amit Rai has confirmed that the ambitious historical drama has been shelved. Yep, the same Amit Rai who gave us OMG 2—a film that not only sparked conversations but also raked in a whopping ₹180 crores at the box office.
So, what happened? Why was a film with Shahid Kapoor and a story as legendary as Shivaji Maharaj’s dropped like a hot potato?
Well, it’s not a simple answer. But let’s break it down.
“The System Is So Cruel” — Amit Rai Gets Real
In a heartfelt interview with Mid-Day, Amit Rai didn’t hold back. “The system is so cruel,” he said, visibly frustrated. And it’s easy to see why. You’d think that after delivering a superhit like OMG 2, doors would fly open for his next big project. But apparently, it’s not that simple in Bollywood.
He explained how the industry often undermines directors—even successful ones. “You live with a story for five years, and within minutes, somebody writes a five-pager, pointing out what’s wrong with it.” That’s gotta sting.
Imagine spending half a decade building a story close to your heart, only for it to be nitpicked and tossed aside. It’s no wonder Amit sounds disheartened.
Shahid Kapoor Was On Board — But The System Wasn’t
Shahid Kapoor, who’s been on a roll post-Kabir Singh and Farzi, was fully committed to the film. The prospect of him portraying one of India’s greatest warriors had fans buzzing. And honestly, we were all ready for a gritty, grand take on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s life.
But the real battle was happening behind the scenes—within the studios, boardrooms, and the dreaded “management systems.” The film never got the green light it deserved.
Amit didn’t point fingers at Shahid, though. In fact, his issue seemed more with the people pulling the strings behind casting, financing, and storytelling decisions. And let’s be honest: this isn’t the first time we’ve heard about creativity being lost in the chaos of Bollywood politics.
Pankaj Tripathi and Akshay Kumar Were Also Involved
In an unexpected reveal, Amit also said that Pankaj Tripathi had signed on for the project—and even Akshay Kumar had shown interest. Can you imagine the powerhouse performances we missed out on?
Both actors were described as “generous” by Amit, which is Bollywood-speak for being supportive and flexible, even when things weren’t going smoothly. But, according to Amit, not everyone in the industry is that willing to take a chance on meaningful stories.
“Some actors weren’t interested in films that speak the truth about society. They just wanted to do a love story,” he admitted. Brutally honest—but not all that surprising.
Shahid Marches On—Despite a December Box Office War
While this Shivaji Maharaj dream project may be on hold, Shahid isn’t slowing down. He’s currently busy shooting for Vishal Bhardwaj’s upcoming film. Yep, the actor-director duo is back, and if their previous work (Kaminey, anyone?) is any indication, we’re in for a treat.
But here’s the real kicker: Shahid’s next is still slated for a December release—even though it’ll be clashing head-on with Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar and Prabhas’ The Raja Saab. That’s three massive stars, three big releases, and one crowded box office showdown. And no, there are no plans to shift the date.
Talk about guts.
What This Means for Bollywood—and For Us
Look, the shelving of a big-budget, history-driven project like this isn’t just disappointing—it’s kind of symbolic. It shows us how even powerful, culturally rich stories can be sidelined if they don’t fit into the “market-friendly” mold.
Amit Rai’s frustration tells us that Bollywood still has a long way to go when it comes to nurturing stories that matter. You can’t help but wonder—what other incredible stories have been buried because they didn’t check the right boxes?
At the same time, it’s clear that directors like Amit Rai aren’t giving up. He’s passionate, honest, and ready to speak out, and that’s exactly the kind of energy Bollywood needs more of.
