Vicky Kaushal’s much-anticipated historical epic Chhaava has made a thunderous debut at the box office. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the Laxman Utekar directorial has achieved the biggest opening of 2025 and shattered multiple records. Notably, it has surpassed Gully Boy’s Valentine’s Day collection record, making it the highest-earning Indian film ever released on February 14.
Chhaava’s Impressive Box Office Performance
According to trade tracker Sacnilk, Chhaava amassed an impressive ₹31 crore (nett) across all languages on its opening day. The film recorded an overall 35.17% occupancy in the Hindi belt, showcasing strong audience interest. This milestone marks Vicky Kaushal’s highest opening to date, far exceeding Uri: The Surgical Strike, which earned ₹8.20 crore on its first day.
Additionally, Chhaava has emerged as the highest-opening Indian film of 2025, surpassing Sky Force, which collected ₹15.30 crore on its release day last month. The film also broke Gully Boy’s 2019 record of ₹19.40 crore, securing the title of the highest Valentine’s Day opener for an Indian film.
About Chhaava
Directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, Chhaava is a grand historical action film centered around the life of Maratha ruler Sambhaji Maharaj, portrayed by Vicky Kaushal. Rashmika Mandanna stars as Maharani Yesubai, while Akshaye Khanna takes on the role of Aurangzeb. The stellar ensemble cast also includes Ashutosh Rana as Sarsenapati Hambirao Mohite and Divya Dutta as Soyarabai.
The film is adapted from the acclaimed Marathi novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant and features a musical score by legendary composer A.R. Rahman, with lyrics penned by Irshad Kamil.
Critical Reception
While Chhaava has been lauded for its grandeur and performances, critics have pointed out issues with its execution. The Hindustan Times review noted that while the film aimed to be a powerful tribute to Sambhaji’s bravery and sacrifice, it suffered from excessive “superherofication” of the Maratha warrior. However, moments of humanizing the character stood out and resonated with audiences.
With a record-breaking opening and a strong box office presence, Chhaava is poised for a successful run in the coming days.