Why Riteish Deshmukh Waited 10 Years for Raja Shivaji to Work

Riteish Deshmukh had to wait a long time for his passion project to materialise, but the stars were in his favour. Even though it took around 10 years for Raja Shivaji to finally get to the silver screens, the film is rewriting history at the Marathi box office. On May 17, the film achieved the feat of becoming the highest-grossing Marathi film of all time, dethroning Sairat after 9 years.

The film was first announced back in 2016, got shelved, got revived, got hit by COVID-19, and was finally released on May 1, 2026. After it broke the record, Riteish said, “Had it started in 2016, this would not be the film. It would be a different film, a different star cast.” Without even realising it, the actor-director was describing what his birth chart says. We often look at a ten-year delay as bad luck. But in the Riteish Deshmukh birth chart, a long delay can actually be your stars protecting you. So, let us delve into Riteish’s chart and find out what the planets are saying.

Quick Glance

• Raja Shivaji took almost 10 years to finally reach theatres
• Astrology says the delay may have actually protected the film instead of hurting it
• Riteish Deshmukh’s chart has strong “comeback” and second-chance energy
• His biggest success arrived only after a major planetary cycle finally changed

The Punarvasu Moon Behind Riteish’s Comebacks

To understand why Raja Shivaji went through so many hiccups, we have to look at Riteish’s Moon placement. He was born with his Moon in a star called Punarvasu. In astrology, Punarvasu literally means “the return of the light.” It is the star of second chances. People with this placement have a very specific pattern in life: things they give up on almost always come back to them. Dreams they set aside resurface years later in much better shape.

You can see this pattern across his career. He started as a comedy actor, then made a huge comeback as a villain in Ek Villain. He was a Bollywood actor who then returned to his roots to become a Marathi icon. So when he says the script of Raja Shivaji kept coming back to him after he completely gave up on it, that is just the effect of his Punarvasu Moon. The universe was always going to give him this film, just not on his timeline.

Why the Film Got Delayed for So Long

So, why did the movie completely stall when he first announced it in 2016? It all comes down to a planetary cycle called Ketu Mahadasha, which he entered that same year. Ketu is the planet of detachment and letting go. If you try to launch an ambitious project right when a Ketu cycle starts, you are going to hit wall after wall. Ketu’s job is to make you surrender control.

That is exactly what happened. The film stalled in 2016. He tried to revive it in 2019, but more obstacles popped up. Then COVID-19 hit in 2020. The script changed, the actors changed, and Riteish felt like giving up. However, Ketu was not shutting down his dream. It was refining the movie. If he had forced the film out between 2016 and 2023, it would have been smaller, rushed, and probably forgotten. The chart was protecting his dream by delaying it.

Why 2026 Changed Everything for Riteish

Everything changed in September 2023 when the heavy Ketu phase finally ended. Riteish entered his 20-year Venus Mahadasha. In his chart, Venus is his strongest planet, sitting in the 9th house (fortune and public recognition). For any artist, entering a strong Venus dasha is like hitting the jackpot. This period brings success, creative freedom, and fame.

The movie finally hit theatres on May 1, 2026, right when the Venus energy in his chart was at its peak. So, the long wait was mathematically perfect. The universe took the old version away during Ketu, waited for his luckiest cycle to start, and gave him a historic project under Venus.

Also read: Rishabh Pant’s LSG Captaincy After 6 Losses: What His Birth Chart Suggests

How the Name Change Helped His Luck

There is another hidden detail that played a huge role here: a change in his name. Early in his career, he spelt it Ritesh. A few years back, he quietly added an extra “i” to make it Riteish. This move was not small or done just for the sake of it.

When we look at the old spelling of his name through a numerological lens, it adds up to 2, which is ruled by the Moon. This is known to create a lot of emotional highs and lows. The new spelling shifts the total to 3, which is ruled by Jupiter. In his birth chart, Jupiter is very powerfully placed, which brings a lot of luck to him.

So in a nutshell, by changing the name spelling, he aligned his energy with the strongest planet in his chart. It is no coincidence that he stepped into film direction and delivered industry hits right after this shift.

The Astrology Behind the Record-Breaking Timing

Even the release date of Raja Shivaji was very supportive for the actor.

The May 1 Release

When the film finally hit the big screen on May 1, the planet Jupiter was moving directly through Punarvasu, the same star where Riteish’s Moon sits. Jupiter is the planet of luck and expansion. So, on the day this long-delayed project was finally ready to be seen by the audience, Jupiter was activating Riteish’s luck. You really cannot ask for a luckier opening day.

The May 17 Record

Then came May 17. The day Raja Shivaji officially shattered the all-time box office record just happened to be the exact start of Adhik Maas. In the Hindu calendar, this is a sacred, extra month where spiritual energy, good deeds, and cultural pride are heavily multiplied. For a grand, emotional epic about one of Maharashtra’s most revered kings to take the crown on the very first day of such an auspicious month, that is not just a coincidence. That is cosmic timing at its finest.

What This Says About Delays and Timing

If you have a big project or a dream that has been stuck for years, whether it is a business, a book, or a major life change, Riteish’s story shows you how to look at delays differently. Roadblocks do not mean you are failing. Sometimes, the version of the dream you are pushing for right now isn’t the one that is meant to succeed.

Sometimes, giving up is just a phase so that the better version of your dream can be born. Let the wrong phases pass, keep working with your heart, and when your right planetary window finally opens, everything you have been waiting for will fall into place. You can also listen to mantras for patience and timing on AstroSure and chant along.

Also read: Why Suriya’s Karuppu Just Can’t Catch a Break: Astrology Explains

Riteish Deshmukh Birth Chart FAQs

1. Why did Raja Shivaji face so many delays?

Astrologically, Riteish was going through a Ketu Mahadasha during most of the film’s delay period. These phases are known for pauses, detours, and projects constantly changing shape before finally settling properly.

2. What is special about Riteish Deshmukh’s birth chart?

One of the biggest things is his Punarvasu Moon placement. In astrology, this star is strongly connected to comebacks, second chances, and things returning stronger after setbacks.

3. Did changing his name from “Ritesh” to “Riteish” actually matter astrologically?

Many astrologers believe name vibrations and numerology can subtly affect confidence, public image, and timing. The spelling shift aligned his name more closely with Jupiter energy in his chart. The old spelling totalled 2 (Moon), while the new spelling totals 3 (Jupiter), which is his strongest planet.

4. Why did the film suddenly succeed so massively in 2026?

Because his planetary timing changed completely. Riteish entered a much stronger Venus Mahadasha in 2023, which supports creativity, visibility, recognition, and artistic success.

5. How can I tell if my own delays are protective like Riteish’s?

Look at what changed during the delay. If you grew, learned, met new people, or refined the idea itself, the universe was protecting your dream. The version of the goal that finally arrives is almost always better than the one you originally pushed for. Riteish’s own words (“had it started in 2016, this would not be the film”) sum up this pattern perfectly.

Ask Agastyaa what your chart says about delays, timing, and major life comebacks