Chhaava, the latest historical drama starring Vicky Kaushal, is dominating the box office following its release on February 14, 2025. Directed by Laxman Utekar, the film has quickly become the highest-grossing film of Kaushal's career, surpassing his previous blockbuster, Uri: The Surgical Strike. It tells the gripping story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and its success has been bolstered by strong performances and compelling storytelling.
Since its release, Chhaava has shown remarkable growth. Initial estimates indicated the film collected ₹31 crore on its opening day, swiftly rising to ₹37 crore on the second day, followed by ₹48.5 crore on the third day. This stunning start set the tone for what would become one of 2025’s most impressive box office performances. By Day 9, the film had grossed ₹286.85 crore, according to early reports, marking it not just as Kaushal's biggest hit, but also solidifying its position as one of the year's top earners.
The film has been particularly resilient against competition. Although another film, Mere Husband Ki Biwi, released on February 21, reportedly struggled to impact Chhaava's sales, the latter continued its upward trend. On Day 9, the film earned approximately ₹24.1 crore, bringing the total to ₹266.85 crore, with projections indicating it would surpass the ₹270 crore mark soon.
Day-by-day breakdowns reveal Chhaava's impressive pacing at the box office: ₹31 crore (Day 1), ₹37 crore (Day 2), ₹48.5 crore (Day 3), ₹24 crore (Day 4), ₹25.5 crore (Day 5), ₹32 crore (Day 6), ₹21.5 crore (Day 7), and ₹23 crore (Day 8). This steady climb has led industry analysts to forecast the film's total earnings to potentially reach ₹500 crore by the end of its run.
Chhaava’s success can be attributed to its engaging narrative based on Shivaji Sawant's Marathi novel Chhava, which explores themes of valor and heritage. Besides Vicky Kaushal, who plays the titular role, the film features Rashmika Mandanna as Yesubai Bhonsale and Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb. It has received favorable reviews from both audiences and critics, with many praising Kaushal’s powerful performance as the Maratha king.
Audience interest has propelled the film's longevity during its second week, maintaining high occupancy rates even during weekdays. Reports showed occupancy rates averaging over 50% on Saturday, with spikes reaching as high as 61% during evening shows. Such figures suggest not only strong audience retention but also the film's cultural significance as it resonates with viewers across demographics.
The film’s success has not gone unnoticed by national figures. During the 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked, “Maharashtra and Mumbai have elevated Hindi cinema along with Marathi films. And these days, Chhaava is making waves.” This endorsement from the Prime Minister highlights the film's broader cultural impact, extending its reach beyond mere box office numbers to embodying regional pride.
With its theatrical release achieving such heights, the film’s digital rights have been purchased by Netflix, ensuring it will reach even wider audiences post-cinema. Though the release date on OTT platforms has not been announced yet, it is anticipated to follow the typical window of 45-60 days post-premiere.
Looking to the future, Chhaava is forecasted to maintain its stronghold at the box office. The film is expected to continue earning well through its second weekend, with projections of collecting between ₹33-34 crore on the upcoming Saturday. If the trend persists, cinema-goers could witness Chhaava becoming one of the rare films to cross the ₹500 crore mark shortly.
The enthusiasm surrounding Chhaava exemplifies the resurgence of Indian cinema and regional narratives being embraced on larger platforms, appealing to both domestic and international audiences. With engaging storytelling, remarkable performances, and significant cultural resonance, Chhaava promises to leave its mark as one of Bollywood's most successful films of 2025.