Pune: Actor Rahul Solapurkar Steps Down as Bhandarkar Institute Trustee After Controversial Comments on Shivaji Maharaj
Pune, 6th February 2025: Actor Rahul Solapurkar has resigned from his position as a trustee of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune. This development comes in the wake of a recent controversy surrounding his comments about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
During a podcast on a YouTube channel, Solapurkar made controversial statements about Shivaji Maharaj’s escape from Agra. He claimed that the Maratha king had bribed his way out, contradicting popular narratives about the escape. Solapurkar stated that Shivaji Maharaj had bribed Aurangzeb’s vizier, his wife, and several other nobles, dismissing the story of escaping in a sweet box as a fabrication.
The actor’s comments sparked widespread outrage, leading to criticism from various quarters. In response, Solapurkar issued an apology for his remarks. He clarified that he had extensive knowledge of Shivaji Maharaj’s history and had given numerous lectures on the subject worldwide. Solapurkar expressed regret for using the word “bribe” and emphasized that he never intended to disrespect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
In his clarification video, Solapurkar explained that his comments were taken out of context. He stated, “There’s no need for me to say anything different about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj being a great ruler in all aspects of statecraft – saam, daam, dand, bhed (persuasion, temptation, punishment, division).”
Despite his apology and explanation, the controversy has led to Solapurkar’s resignation from the Bhandarkar Institute.
