Shivaji Jayanti or Shiv Jayanti is celebrated annually on February 19 to mark the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a Maratha ruler. The day is commemorated by paying homage to the warrior. 

On Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’ 392nd birth anniversary, here are five actors who essayed the role of the Maratha ruler in television and cinema.

1. Sharad Kelkar

Kelkar portrayed the character of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 2020 historic film, ‘Tanhaji – The Unsung Warrior’. The film revolves around Tanhaji Malusare, a military leader and a close aide of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film also starred Ajay Devgn, Kajol, and Saif Ali Khan in pivotal roles.

Also Read | Shivaji Jayanti: History and significance of this towering figure in Maratha history

2. Mahesh Manjrekar

Manjrekar featured in the 2009 film ‘Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy’, portraying the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film is directed by Santosh Manjrekar and also features Makarand Anaspure, Sachin Khedekar, Suchitra Bandekar, Siddarth Jadhav, Priya Bapat, and Abhijeet Kelkar. 

3. Amol Kolhe

Kolhe played the character of the Maratha warrior in ‘Rajmata Jjau, a historic drama film directed by Yashwant Bhalkar. Released in 2011, the film also starred Rahul Solapurkar,  Milind Gunaji, Aarti Shinde, Nikhil Nerlekar, and Vedant Gundu. 

4. Chinmay Mandlekar

Popular for starring in films like ‘Hirakani’ and ‘Halal’, Mandlekar has portrayed the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in historical drama films like ‘Farzand’, ‘Pawankhind’, and ‘Fatteshikast’. 

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5. Bhushan Pradhan

After an eight-year-long break from the television industry, Pradhan made his comeback on Marathi TV and essayed the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the show ‘Jai Bhavani Jai Shivaji’. The show also starred Kashyap Parulekar as Netaji Palkar, Ajinkya Deo as Great Bajiprabhu Deshpande, Nishigandha Waad as Rajmata Jijau, Amruta Todarmal as Laxmi, and Milind Adhikari as Fulajiprabhu Deshpande. 

Actors like Prasad Oak and Shantanu Moghe have also played the character of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in ‘Hirkani’ and ‘Swarajya Rakshak Sambha’ respectively.