Actress Carmen Machi has been awarded the National Cinematography Award for her significant contributions to Spanish comedy and her versatile career spanning 25 years. The jury recognized her ability to connect with audiences while also engaging in auteur projects.
'Raja Shivaji', directed by and starring Riteish Deshmukh as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is on the verge of crossing Rs. 50 crore India net in its first weekm a historic first for Marathi cinema. Released on Maharashtra Day (May 1, 2026), the Rs. 100 crore production set the highest-ever Marathi first Monday (Rs. 5.60 crore) and delivered an extraordinary weekday hold throughout its opening week. The film features Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Genelia Deshmukh and the debut of Rahyl Deshmukh, with Salman Khan's viral surprise cameo as Jiva Mahala, Ajay-Atul's music and Santosh Sivan's cinematography.
'Raja Shivaji', directed by and starring Riteish Deshmukh as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has crossed Rs. 12.21 crore India net on Day 2 of its theatrical run, driven by extraordinary audience response in the Marathi-speaking belt and the viral impact of Salman Khan's surprise cameo as loyal warrior Jiva Mahala. Made under a budget of approximately Rs. 100 crore, the film features Sanjay Dutt as Afzal Khan, Vidya Balan as Badi Begum, Abhishek Bachchan as Sambhaji Shahaji Maharaj, Bhagyashree as Jijabai, Fardeen Khan as Shah Jahan, Amole Gupte as Mohammed Adil Shah and Genelia Deshmukh as Saibai, with music by Ajay-Atul and cinematography by Santosh Sivan.
