The much-anticipated Marathi film Raja Shivaji is gearing up for a powerful debut at the box office. Directed by and starring Riteish Deshmukh in the lead role, the film explores the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his battles with Aurangzeb. Early trends indicate that the film could record the biggest opening ever for a Marathi film.
Raja Shivaji Advance Bookings
The film has delivered an impressive performance in advance bookings. As of Thursday at 2 PM, with less than 15 hours left for bookings to close, it had sold nearly 1 lakh tickets for its opening day. According to Sacnilk, the film has already collected around Rs 2.5 crore in advance sales. This includes approximately Rs 20 lakh from its Hindi version. Reportedly, tickets are being sold at a rapid pace of around 5,000 per hour.
Opening Day Projections for Raja Shivaji
With strong buzz and a large-scale narrative, the film is expected to open big. Trade experts predict that it could earn Rs 6–7 crore net in Marathi on its first day. The Hindi version may not perform at the same level. However, it is still expected to contribute over Rs 1 crore, mainly from Maharashtra. Around 90 percent of bookings have come from the state, indicating a strong regional pull.
Overall, the film is expected to collect Rs 8–9 crore net across India on its opening day. There is also a possibility that it could cross the Rs 10 crore mark. The current record for the highest opening-day collection in Marathi cinema is held by Sairat. Directed by Nagraj Manjule, that film earned Rs 4.2 crore on its first day. Even after factoring in inflation, Raja Shivaji appears to be performing better. It is also expected to surpass Riteish Deshmukh's previous record. His 2022 film Ved had opened at Rs 3.5 crore.
Vicky Kaushal Praises Film
In a recent promotional update, JioStudios shared a video featuring Vicky Kaushal and Riteish Deshmukh. The clip showed them interacting warmly and discussing the film. Riteish recalled a memorable moment from the shoot. He spoke about how the crew's chants of "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai" created a powerful atmosphere on set.
The video also showed Vicky reacting to a glimpse of the film. He said, "I don't think Marathi cinema has seen an action sequence like this." He also extended his best wishes to Riteish ahead of the release. Sharing the clip, the production house wrote, "Two iconic stories, elevated by performances that truly do them justice! Advance booking is open (U/A 16+) (Marathi), book your tickets today! 'The Founder of Hindavi Swarajya' 'Raja Shivaji' in cinemas on 1st May, 2026."
Genelia Gets Emotional at Raja Shivaji Event
At a recent event for the film, Riteish's wife Genelia Deshmukh was seen getting emotional while talking about the film's journey. The event highlighted the personal significance of the project for the family.
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