Salman Khan appears in a cameo role in the historical film Raja Shivaji, directed by and starring Riteish Deshmukh. Videos of audiences erupting into loud cheers and hoots at Khan's on-screen entry have spread widely across social media.
Khan plays the role of Jiva Mahala in the film. Riteish Deshmukh plays Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The role was kept secret for several months before the film's release.
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The cameo scene
Khan appears wearing an orange turban and kurta and carries a Maratha sword. The high-energy sequence, which has its own soundtrack, shows Khan's character holding a sword to a rival's neck. He then delivers the line, "Shivaji nai; Shivaji Raj mhanaycha," which instantly sent the theatre into a frenzy. Clips of this moment were shared widely across fan pages.
Latest : Megastar #SalmanKhan as JIVA MAHAL in #RajaShivaji 🔥🗡️ pic.twitter.com/QBgJGBHdCI
— 𝓓𝓔𝓥𝓘 𝓛𝓐𝓛 (𝓭𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓛)🦹♀️…!!!! (@Forever4Salman) May 1, 2026
How the cameo came together
As per the report of Times of India, Riteish Deshmukh revealed that Khan himself asked to be part of the film. Deshmukh said, "I didn't go to him in this film. We were together in New Year's. He asked me when I was starting to shoot the movie. I said, 'It's starting in this month.' He said, 'Which role am I playing'."
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When told no role had been planned for him, Khan said, "No, no, no, you can't make the film without me, I have to be in it."
Deshmukh added, "That sense of warmth and belonging, that emotion... I was thinking that I hadn't really thought it through yet... but he said, 'I should have a role in the film.' Then there was a role... and Salman Khan is also a part of this film."
About the film
Raja Shivaji is directed by Riteish Deshmukh and is based on the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film has opened to strong audience interest. Box office reports indicate it could just be headed for a huge Rs 10 crore haul, as cited by Times of India.
