Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is currently juggling multiple film commitments, demonstrating his relentless work ethic. Among his recent projects is a special appearance in actor-filmmaker Riteish Deshmukh's highly awaited historical drama, 'Raja Shivaji'.
Swift Shoot for a Special Role
According to the latest reports, Khan has already completed filming his portions for the movie. The actor, who is portraying the revered Maratha warrior Jeeva Mahala, managed to wrap up all his scenes in an impressively short span of just two days. The shooting took place at a suburban studio in Mumbai earlier this week.
Sources indicate that Salman Khan shares a warm personal bond with Riteish Deshmukh. When approached for the role, he immediately agreed to be a part of the project. His schedule involved shooting some close-up shots before he resumed work on his other major project, 'Battle of Galwan'. He later returned to film his action sequences for 'Raja Shivaji', which were choreographed by the renowned action director Parvez Shaikh.
The Historical Importance of Jiva Mahala
The character Salman Khan is playing holds significant historical importance. Jiva Mahala was a faithful and brave Maratha warrior, known as one of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's most trusted bodyguards. He played a pivotal role in Indian history by safeguarding the king during the 1659 Battle of Pratapgarh. Historical accounts strongly suggest that he was instrumental in saving Shivaji Maharaj's life during the intense clash with the troops of Afzal Khan.
The film 'Raja Shivaji' boasts an impressive ensemble cast that includes other major stars such as Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan, and Abhishek Bachchan.
Simultaneous Work on 'Battle of Galwan'
Meanwhile, Salman Khan is deeply immersed in his primary project, the war drama 'Battle of Galwan'. The film is directed by Apoorva Lakhia and depicts the real-life 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley.
In this film, Khan plays an Indian army man. The narrative highlights the extraordinary bravery and resilience of approximately 200 Indian soldiers who stood their ground against a force of around 1,200 Chinese soldiers during the fierce confrontation.
The movie also stars Chitrangda Singh and features actors like Abhilash Chaudhary and Ankur Bhatia in key roles. The shooting has been extensive, taking place in authentic locations including Leh, Ladakh, and Mumbai. The Mumbai schedule for the film commenced in October 2025.
The first official look of Salman Khan from the film was released in July 2025, showing the actor in a military uniform with bloodstains on his face, setting a gritty and intense tone for the movie. While an official release date is yet to be announced, industry insiders suggest that 'Battle of Galwan' might hit the theatres in either January or June of 2026.
