The Marathi historical drama 'Raja Shivaji', directed by and starring Riteish Deshmukh in the lead, has achieved a significant milestone at the box office. The film, which narrates the story of the legendary Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has officially surpassed the Rs 50 crore mark in worldwide collections.
Box Office Performance
According to a report on Sacnilk, the film, released in both Marathi and Hindi, has maintained a strong run despite a noticeable weekday slowdown. On Day 5 (Tuesday), the film witnessed a dip in collections, earning an estimated Rs 3.35 crore net in Marathi across approximately 1,851 shows. The gross collection for the day in Marathi stood at around Rs 3.95 crore, marking a 20.4% decline compared to Monday's figures.
So far, the film has amassed a total net collection of Rs 44 crore across 28,868 shows, with the Marathi version contributing a significant Rs 30.5 crore. The Hindi version, while comparatively slower, has been gaining momentum through positive word-of-mouth and strong audience feedback.
India Gross and All-Time Rankings
The film's India gross currently stands at Rs 52.68 crore, making it one of the most successful Marathi film releases of all time. According to listings, 'Raja Shivaji' has now entered the top 5 list of the highest-earning Marathi films in history.
Demand for Tax-Free Status
The film hitting the Rs 50 crore mark comes amid demands by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve to make the film tax-free in Maharashtra, enabling a larger audience to watch it. Danve, in a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, noted that the film popularises the work of Shivaji Maharaj and should be declared tax-free to make tickets more affordable.
Cast and Release
The film, which had its theatrical release on May 1, boasts an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Bhagyashree, and Genelia Deshmukh in key roles. It also features Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, and Amole Gupte in supporting roles.
