Actor-filmmaker Riteish Deshmukh paid a heartfelt tribute to his late father and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on his birth anniversary on Tuesday. The actor shared an emotional family moment on social media, posting a photograph on Instagram where he, along with his wife Genelia Deshmukh and their children, offered prayers before a floral memorial dedicated to the late leader.
Emotional Instagram Post
In the post, Riteish captioned the image with a poignant message: "Happy Birthday, Pappa! Words can't express how much we miss you. Life is forever incomplete. #vilasraodeshmukh." The tribute quickly drew reactions from members of the film industry, followers, and admirers of Vilasrao Deshmukh, with many sharing messages of respect and remembrance.
Brand Ambassadors for Road Safety
Recently, Riteish and Genelia were appointed as brand ambassadors for the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation's public awareness initiatives. Their role is to strengthen awareness around the Road Safety Campaign. The announcement was made during an agreement handover ceremony organized by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation and the Transport Department.
Professional Success with 'Raja Shivaji'
On the professional front, Riteish has been celebrating the success of his historical epic 'Raja Shivaji', which has emerged as the highest-grossing Marathi film. Surpassing the lifetime box office collection of 'Sairat', the film was released on May 1 and has reportedly earned Rs 114.8 crore globally.
Box Office Performance
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared on his X handle that the film recorded the biggest opening day ever for a Marathi film. According to reported figures, the movie collected Rs 12.40 crore on its opening day, followed by Rs 11.50 crore on Saturday, taking its opening weekend total to Rs 23.90 crore.
Cast and Crew
Directed by Riteish Deshmukh, the film features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Bhagyashree, and Genelia Deshmukh. The cast also includes Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, and Amole Gupte. A special appearance by Salman Khan has received enthusiastic responses from audiences. The film additionally marks the acting debut of Riteish and Genelia's son, Rahyl. Cinematography by Santosh Sivan and music by Ajay-Atul have been widely appreciated for enhancing the film's scale and cinematic presentation.
