India's T-Series has signed on to produce "The Pride of Bharat - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," a historical drama starring "Kantara" lead Rishab Shetty as the Maratha ruler.

The story will be released in two parts, with principal photography slated for early 2027.

Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar will serve as producers for T-Series Films, while Shetty will also act as co-producer. To commemorate the deal, Bhushan Kumar gave Shetty a century-old portrait of Shivaji.

Shetty, who wrote, directed and headlined the 2022 Kannada hit "Kantara," earned the Indian National Film Award for best actor for that work. Its sequel, "Kantara: Chapter 1," arrived in 2025 and amassed over $91 million worldwide.

The film was first announced by Shetty and Sandeep Singh in December 2024.

Across both installments, the narrative will trace Shivaji Maharaj's key battles, victories, sacrifices and lesser-known episodes, highlighting his military strategy, leadership and vision of Swarajya.

A large ensemble cast will appear, and the creative team blends talent from India and abroad.

"Maharashtra and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have given us a legacy to be proud of, and I believe it is our responsibility to honor that legacy through cinema and share it with the world," Bhushan Kumar said. "When Sandeep Singh narrated 'The Pride of Bharat - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,' I felt a deep sense of responsibility to bring this extraordinary story to the big screen."

Kumar praised Shetty's screen presence and his knack for portraying legendary figures, adding that the team is well-suited "to bring the courage, vision and spirit of Swarajya to audiences across generations. For T-Series, this is more than a film; it is a tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his timeless legacy."

Shivaji founded the Maratha kingdom in 17th-century western India and spent much of his life battling the Mughal Empire. He remains a revered figure in Maharashtra and a frequent subject for Indian cinema, with recent titles such as "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior" (2020), the Marathi film "Har Har Mahadev" (2022) and "Chhaava" (2025), which focused on his son Sambhaji. In May, Riteish Deshmukh directed and starred in "Raja Shivaji," which became the highest-grossing Marathi film ever.

Pre-production is currently underway ahead of the 2027 shoot.

Singh co-wrote the script with Rishi Virmani. Gulshan Kumar and T-Series Films present the project, while Legend Studios produces alongside T-Series Films. Shiv Chanana and Kabiir Sadanand join Shetty as co-producers.