Riteish Deshmukh’s historical drama Raja Shivaji has delivered a sensational start at the box office, setting a new benchmark for Marathi cinema through its exceptional advance booking performance. Even before its theatrical release, the film generated massive excitement among audiences and emerged as the biggest opener in Marathi film history based on pre-release ticket sales.
Industry tracking platform Sacnilk reported that the movie witnessed impressive momentum across multiplexes and single-screen theatres, particularly throughout Maharashtra. The Marathi version of the film played a major role in driving early collections, while the Hindi release also picked up pace as release day approached.
According to trade estimates, Raja Shivaji closed its advance booking phase with gross collections of nearly $620,000 excluding blocked seats. The original Marathi version alone contributed approximately $510,000 in gross revenue, with nett collections touching nearly $430,000. These figures have pushed the film ahead of several previous Marathi blockbusters in terms of opening-day earnings before release.
The movie has already surpassed the long-standing Day 1 benchmarks established by popular Marathi films such as Sairat and Timepass 2, both of which had recorded opening-day earnings close to $430,000 nett during their theatrical debuts. Trade analysts now expect additional walk-in audiences and spot bookings to further strengthen the film’s first-day box office numbers.
The strong response highlights growing audience interest in large-scale Marathi cinema and historical dramas. The film’s promotional campaign, combined with Riteish Deshmukh’s popularity and the larger-than-life portrayal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has helped create strong anticipation among moviegoers.
Apart from playing the lead role, Riteish Deshmukh has also been deeply involved in shaping the ambitious historical project. The film features a star-studded supporting cast including Abhishek Bachchan, Bhagyashree, Genelia Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, and Vidya Balan in key roles.
Adding to the buzz surrounding the film, superstar Salman Khan also makes a notable appearance, further increasing audience curiosity and nationwide attention. Produced by Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company, Raja Shivaji is being positioned as one of the most significant Marathi cinematic releases in recent years.
With strong advance bookings already securing a record-breaking opening, all eyes are now on the film’s nationwide theatrical performance and whether it can sustain momentum over the weekend. Industry experts believe the film has the potential to redefine commercial success for Marathi cinema on a larger national scale.
