The selection of "Khalid Ka Shivaji", the first Marathi feature film directed by national award-winning filmmaker Raj More has been made for the 'MARCHÉ DU FILM' section of the Cannes Film Festival 2025. The film has been officially selected by the Maharashtra Film, Theatre and Cultural Development Corporation and will be screened at Cannes from 13th May to 24th May, 2025.
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| Raj More and Producer- Michael Thevar |
Raj Pritam More had earlier directed the short film "Khisa" (2020) for which he received the National award and several international awards. Later he also received the Best Director Award at MICFF 2023 for his short film "Bicchauliya" (2022) which was based on Sahir Ludhianvi's poetry.The film produced by Michael Thevar and Sushma Thevar. Michael Thevar Sir like a subject on Shivaji Maharaj & he produces Marathi film
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Michael Thever's Struggle Journey
Michael Thevar is a Tamil-speaking native who came to Mumbai for education in the 1990s. He studied social work and social studies at Nirmala Niketan and Tata Institute of Social Sciences. While studying, he worked in social organizations in the tribal areas of Thane district. During that time, he faced not only financial difficulties but also cultural conflicts.
Successful business and social awareness in America
Michael Thevar is the President of Omni Health Care Services, a leading mental health service company in the United States. His wife, Sushma Thevar is the Vice President of Omni Health Care Services. Thevar is renowned for his social work in the field of community mental health.
Raj More, the pride of Vidarbha, is based in Akola and permanently resisdes in Mumbai. He is a globally renowned painter and his first feature film "Khalid ka Shivaji" has been selected for the Cannes Film Festival. The Cannes Film Festival is the world's most prestigious and renowned film festival. This festival showcases prestigious and carefully selected films. This film will make ripples at the festival.
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"Khalid ka Shivaji", is a story of a fearless Muslim boy who studies in the 5th grade. He shyly looks at his hero, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
This Film has been entirely produced in Vidarbha and its filming has taken place in Akola, Amravati and Nagpur districts. Moreover, local artists from the Vidarbha region are also a part of this film. There is a large participation of young artists as well. All these artists will now be introduced to the world.
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Film under the P P Cine Production banner.Khalid ka Shivaji Lead Actors In the lead role: Krish More Lead Actors-
Hayyed (Priyadarshan Jadhav), Shahane sir (Bharat Ganeshpure), Dadi (Sushma Deshpande), Savle sir (Kailash Waghmare), Ruksana (Snehalata Tagde).
Technical Team –Writer (Kailash Waghmare), Dialogue (Rajkumar Tangde), Cinematography ( Vijay Mishra), Editing (B. Mahanteshwar), Art Director (Anil Wat), Background Music (Nishant Ramteke), Sound Design (Anurag Jadhav), Art Direction (DI) (Zaheer Shaikh), VFX (Nube Circus), Script Supervisor (Samir Tabhane), Line Producer (Lucky More). Second Cast-Ankur Vitthalrao Vadhwe, Vaibhav Ogle, Pravin Prabhakar, Atul Mahale, Kunal Ravindra Meshram, RJ Gaurav, Khemraj Bhoyar, Dr. Sheshpal Ganvir, Vicky Mangala Mote, Dinesh Ingole.Local Artists- Jyoti Thorat, Bharat Rangari, Nikhil Rathod, Avish Bandode, Ashwin Wakode, Sudhir Pendshe, Vijay Khandare, Sanju Ingle, Suresh Gawai, Rahul Tayde, Namrata Athavle, Roshani Ingle, Ashwini Deshmukh, Vinay Bhagat, Vasanti Rajuskar.Child Artists-Sai Shyam Dahale, Prince Gajanan Sahare, Harsh Khade, Ishwari Patil, Hrutik Dongare, Avush Ghotale, Harshvardhan Khandare, Rajvardhan Khandare, Vedant Shirsagar, Aniruddha Jalgaonkar, Piyush Jadhav, Aaryan Ingle, Swaraj Dubale, Aaditya Gawande, Ananya Tayde, Gauri Gawande, Samarth Hage, Aarush Tayde, Kartik Vaska, Sheikh Sahil, Sheikh Rahat, Samruddhi Dubale, Kalyani Tayde. Local Technical Team Prashik Mohol (Assistant Director), Sachin Telgote (Assistant Art Director), Professor Suresh Gawai (Local Production Assistant), Chhagan Khandare (Local Production Manager).Several villages in Vidarbha were selected for the shooting of this film – Amanatpur (Akola), Balapur, Vyala, Ghusar, Girad (Vardha). 95% of the actors were local and the selection of the remaining actors was also done from different villages in Vidarbha.
The film has also gained entry into many important international festivals: • IFFI Indian Panaroma – NDFC Film Bazaar 2024 – Wiring Room • Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival 2024 – India Focus Special Screening •FIPRESCI India Grand Prix Award 2025- Uncertified Nomination.
Raj More says, “Khalid ka Shivaji is his first Marathi feature film. I have worked on this film for 2-3 years. I am extremely grateful to my team & my producer Michael sir who believe on me. After being selected for the Cannes Film Festival, the possibility of winning a National Award has begun to emerge. This joy cannot be expressed in words.” Akola residents have played a very valuable role in the shooting of the film. Right from permissions required for filming to co-operation.
Special thanks to Rahul Tayde (Tehsildar), Dr. Gajanan Nare (Prabhat Kids School, Akola), Sugat Waghmare (Social Worker, Entrepreneur), Sharad Kokate, Amol Mitkari (MLA), Kishore Vibhute, Madhu Jadhav (Theatre artist),Chhagan Khandare (Auditor), Ashok Shere (Theatre artist), Raju Ukhalkar (Journalist, Akola), Sunil Jadhav (Railway TC), Vaibhav Nare, Mr. Deshpande (Principal B.R. School), Anil Bivade ( Municipal Corporation, Akola), Vikas Tatad (Columbia University), Vipin Tatad (Rapper)
