Vicky Kaushal’s historical epic, Chhaava, continues to captivate audiences, marking its extraordinary run at the box office since its release on February 14, 2025. The film has performed phenomenally, breaking significant records and establishing itself as Kaushal's largest hit to date, with impressive earnings both domestically and globally.
On its 14th day, Chhaava added approximately ₹12 crore to its domestic total, propelling the overall earnings past the ₹400 crore mark. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film's domestic total now stands at around ₹410 crore, making it just under ₹100 crore short of surpassing the lifetime earnings of Ranbir Kapoor’s landmark hit, Animal, which raked in over ₹900 crore globally.
Directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan, Chhaava is based on the life of the historical figure Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Kaushal's portrayal has received accolades for its depth and intensity. Co-stars include Rashmika Mandanna as Yesubai and Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb, with the film being inspired by Shivaji Sawant's acclaimed Marathi novel, Chhava.
The film opened strongly, earning ₹31 crore on its first day and rising to ₹116.5 crore over its opening weekend. By the end of the first week, Chhaava had garnered ₹219.25 crore, and even after the end of its second weekend, it accumulated ₹398.25 crore, as it still caters to audiences across theaters with substantial occupancy rates.
This remarkable response is part of what trade experts describe as a resurgence of interest in cinema following the pandemic, particularly for large-scale productions. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh remarked, "The audience has really come back to theatres in a very big way. This is our cinema, this is our story. Certain films are meant to be enjoyed on the big screen only; the charm of the big screen can never fade."
Girish Wankhede, another trade expert, reinforces this sentiment by stating, "Audiences now choose to watch films with engaging stories and captivating visuals on the big screen over waiting for OTT releases. Chhaava embodies this as it is not just another film; it is larger than life, celebrating historical themes, and provides communal experiences as families flock to theaters together."
The film's accessibility to audiences from various backgrounds, including smaller cities and towns, is another key factor contributing to its success. Akshaye Rathi, exhibitor-distributor, elaborated on this: "Movies like Chhaava connect with people, not just big city dwellers, making them relevant and appealing to the masses. Films telling our stories resonate more strongly and encourage massive box office participation."
Despite showing some signs of declining box office collection, Chhaava managed to maintain significant earnings, dropping approximately 49.26% on day 14 but still netting impressive figures. This follows a pattern where even with dips, the movie has performed exceptionally well overall, with many expecting it will spike again as it enters its third weekend, competing against smaller titles like Craxzy and Superboys of Malegaon.
The success of Chhaava is seen as indicative of shifting audience preferences favoring more meaningful, culturally-rooted narratives. With discussions at hand about the importance of Indian themes, Wankhede noted, "We have great opportunities to create films based on our heroes and stories, as they resonate deeply. Chhaava excites with its portrayal of valor and commitment to our history."
Investment and budgeting also play significant roles. Producer and trade expert Girish Johar mentioned, "It's important for producers to maintain budget discipline. If Chhaava hits the right budget to box office return ratio, it will mark it as truly successful—Kudos to the producers if they have already recovered their investments."
With Chhaava being the fastest Hindi film to cross ₹500 crore worldwide, it hints at being on track to challenge existing records, potentially overtaking Padmaavat, which currently holds the highest-ever earnings for historical films with ₹571.98 crore.
The success of Chhaava is not just limited to its financial achievements; it also highlights the power and relevance of historical stories within Indian cinema. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the film's impact, praising its portrayal of the bravery associated with Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Chhaava has not only entertained but has also served as inspiration for many through its deep-rooted cultural connection.
Overall, the staggering success of Chhaava marks it as one of the defining films of 2025, and industry experts expect continued positive momentum for the movie as it approaches new milestones.