India, April 26 -- Riteish Deshmukh is gearing up for the release of his much-awaited historical action drama Raja Shivaji, in which he essays the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Ahead of the release of the film on May 1, a controversy has erupted after Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba, made some remarks on the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Riteish has now reacted to the 'distorted nonsense' about the great warrior king in a new post. (Also read: Riteish Deshmukh responds to criticism over 'manipulating and insulting' Maharashtra's legacy with Raja Shivaji film)

Taking to his X account, Riteish wrote in Marathi, "When someone comes along and spews some distorted nonsense about our cherished deity, as ...