Raja Shivaji Box Office Collection Day 1: Riteish Deshmukh’s Film Beats Manikarnika Opening, Earns ₹11.70 Crore
Mumbai, May 3: The much-anticipated historical drama Raja Shivaji, directed and headlined by Riteish Deshmukh, has made a solid start at the box office. Released on May 1, the film opened to a ₹11.70 crore net collection in India on Day 1, surpassing the opening figures of Manikarnika.
Strong Opening with Marathi Dominance
According to early estimates, Raja Shivaji performed better in the Marathi market compared to Hindi.
- Marathi collection: ₹8.75 crore
- Hindi collection: ₹2.95 crore
- Total Day 1: ₹11.70 crore
- Overall occupancy: ~32%
The film has witnessed a decent opening, and trade analysts expect a potential rise over the weekend.
Beats Manikarnika, Trails Bigger Historical Hits
With its Day 1 earnings, Raja Shivaji has outperformed Manikarnika, starring Kangana Ranaut, which opened at ₹8.75 crore.
However, it still falls short of other big historical blockbusters:
- Tanhaji (starring Ajay Devgn) – ₹15.10 crore
- Chhaava (starring Vicky Kaushal) – ₹33.50 crore
About the Film
Raja Shivaji is based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the legendary founder of the Maratha Empire.
- Director & Lead Actor: Riteish Deshmukh
- Producer: Genelia D’Souza
- Co-stars: Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar and others
The film reportedly carries a massive budget of ₹100 crore, making it one of the most expensive Marathi films ever produced. It has been released in both Marathi and Hindi languages.
Critical Response: Grand but Not Fully Engaging
Early reviews for Raja Shivaji have been mixed. Critics have praised the film’s scale, intent, and performances, especially Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza.
However, some reviews point out that the film:
- Feels lengthy
- Lacks consistent engagement
- Impresses more visually than emotionally
What’s Next?
With a decent opening and a long weekend ahead, Raja Shivaji now depends heavily on word-of-mouth and weekend growth. If positive momentum builds, the film could see a significant jump in collections.