The historical epic Chhaava, based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, arrived in cinemas yesterday and has taken the box office by storm. Starring National Award-winning actor Vicky Kaushal in the lead role, the film features Rashmika Mandanna as the female protagonist and Akshaye Khanna in the pivotal role of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Released with tremendous buzz, the film has lived up to expectations and more.
Following the release of its gripping trailer, trade analysts initially predicted an opening of around ₹15 crore nett. However, as anticipation surged, revised estimates placed the figure at ₹25 crore nett. Defying all projections, Chhaava stunned everyone by raking in a massive ₹33 crore nett on its first day, outperforming all pre-release expectations.
This milestone marks Chhaava as Vicky Kaushal’s biggest opening ever, surpassing his previous best (Bad Newz – ₹8.62 crore nett) by a staggering margin. The film recorded phenomenal occupancy rates from early morning shows, signaling the immense excitement among audiences. It has also emerged as Bollywood’s highest opener of 2025, with Maharashtra contributing significantly to its stellar numbers.
Critics have showered Chhaava with glowing reviews, and the audience reception has been overwhelmingly positive, fueling strong word-of-mouth. The film continues to witness remarkable growth on ticket-booking platforms like Book My Show, with weekend collections expected to touch an impressive ₹120 crore nett. However, the film’s long-term box office trajectory will depend on how well it holds on Monday.
Directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Maddock Films, Chhaava is proving to be a major box office force, setting new benchmarks for historical dramas in Bollywood.
