Riteish Deshmukh criticised remarks made by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, calling them “distorted nonsense” amid backlash. The controversy erupted after the spiritual leader’s comments in Nagpur. Riteish defended Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy, saying it cannot be diminished

Actor-filmmaker Riteish Deshmukh strongly reacted to recent remarks made about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, calling them “distorted nonsense” amid a growing controversy. For those unversed, the issue began after spiritual leader Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, made statements about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during a foundation stone-laying ceremony of Bhardurga Shaktisthal in Nagpur. His comments drew sharp criticism from several quarters.

Responding to the backlash, Riteish took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and shared a strong message in Marathi.

Expressing his sentiments as a devotee and admirer of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he wrote, “When someone comes along and spews some distorted nonsense about our cherished deity, as a Shiv-premi and Shiv-bhakt, this is unacceptable and infuriating. Such futile attempts to belittle the legacy will not be tolerated at all."

"But just as the mountain ranges of the Sahyadri have existed for millions of years before, so too will that one name endure for crores of years in the future. And that name is of the Kshatriya lineage, the Lord of the Throne, the Emperor of Emperors, Chhatrapati Maharaj," he added.