Pune: Minister Shambhuraj Desai Calls for Strict Action Against Actor Over Comments on Shivaji Maharaj
Pune, 7th February 2025: Maharashtra Minister Shambhuraj Desai has demanded repercussions for veteran actor Rahul Solapurkar following his controversial statements about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Desai labelled Solapurkar’s remarks as “condemnable and objectionable” during a press conference after a meeting at Vidhan Bhavan in Pune.
The minister insisted that a mere apology from Solapurkar would not suffice. He called for the actor to visit Raigad Fort and seek forgiveness at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s samadhi by rubbing his nose on the ground, a traditional form of showing deep remorse.
Desai urged the government to adopt a firm stance on the issue. He recommended a thorough investigation into the video clip containing Solapurkar’s statements to understand the full context of his remarks.
The controversy erupted when Solapurkar recently claimed that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had bribed his way out of Agra, allegedly paying off Aurangzeb’s wife and several sardars. The actor also disputed the popular narrative of Shivaji Maharaj escaping in a sweet box.
These comments sparked widespread outrage across Maharashtra, leading to Solapurkar’s resignation from his trustee position at Pune’s Bhandarkar Institute. The incident has reignited debates about historical narratives and the sensitivities surrounding revered historical figures.
