Ajay Devgn’s much-anticipated sequel, Raid 2, hits theaters today, May 1, 2025, and it's already making waves at the box office. With over 2 lakh pre-bookings, the film is set to continue the success of its predecessor, which was a massive hit in 2018.
According to early estimates, Raid 2 is projected to earn between Rs 14-16 crore on its opening day. The film has already garnered impressive advance booking figures, with collections from pre-sales alone ranging from Rs 6.5 crore to Rs 10 crore. This strong performance is bolstered by the film's release coinciding with Labour Day, a public holiday that is expected to further boost ticket sales.
The storyline follows IRS officer Amay Patnaik, played by Devgn, who embarks on his 75th raid, targeting a corrupt politician known as Dada Bhai, portrayed by Riteish Deshmukh. The sequel promises to deliver high-stakes drama, intense confrontations, and a gripping narrative centered around the fight against black money and corruption.
The film features a star-studded cast, including Vaani Kapoor as Amay's wife, alongside Saurabh Shukla, Rajat Kapoor, Amit Sial, Supriya Pathak, Shruti Pandey, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Yo Yo Honey Singh making a special cameo.
Early reviews from trade experts have been largely positive, highlighting the strong franchise value and Devgn's performance as key strengths. The chemistry between Devgn and Deshmukh has also received praise, alongside the film's fast-paced screenplay and real-life inspired plot.
In terms of advance bookings, Raid 2 has sold over 1.5 lakh tickets, earning Rs 7 crore in advance sales as of April 30, 2025. This figure includes both individual ticket sales and block bookings. The film has over 10,000 shows scheduled across the country, with significant contributions from major regions including Rs 1.2 crore from Mumbai and over Rs 1 crore from Delhi-NCR.
As for its competition, Raid 2 is set to clash with Sanjay Dutt's The Bhootnii, which is projected to earn only Rs 3-4 crore on its opening day. However, in the South, it will face tough competition from Nani’s Hit: The Third Case and Suriya’s Retro, both of which are also releasing today. Despite these challenges, producer Bhushan Kumar expressed confidence, stating, "I don’t think these films will pose any competition for us."
The film is directed by Rajkumar Gupta, who previously helmed the original Raid. The director has expressed excitement about Deshmukh's casting, remarking, "I have liked Riteish's work for some time. He truly is a fantastic performer."
With the buzz around Raid 2 steadily building, industry analysts are optimistic about its performance. The film is expected to not only match but potentially exceed the opening day collection of its predecessor, which earned Rs 10.04 crore in 2018.
In addition to its box office potential, Raid 2 has been granted a U/A certificate with an approved runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes, which is likely to appeal to a wide audience.
As the day unfolds, all eyes will be on the box office numbers to see if Raid 2 can convert its impressive advance bookings into sustained success. The excitement surrounding the film is palpable, and with a solid storyline and a talented cast, it seems poised to make a significant impact in the Hindi film space.
In summary, Raid 2 is not just a sequel; it's a continuation of a story that has resonated with audiences before, and with the right elements in place, it could very well become one of the top openers of 2025. Fans are eager to see how Amay Patnaik's latest mission unfolds, and the film's strong early numbers suggest that they won't be disappointed.
