Raja Shivaji Box Office Collection Day 1: Riteish Deshmukh Film Opens Strong, Beats Manikarnika

Riteish Deshmukh's historical drama Raja Shivaji has made a solid start at the box office, collecting ₹13.51 crore worldwide on Day 1. The entire gross has come from the domestic market, with India gross at ₹13.51 crore and overseas collections at ₹0, while the film recorded ₹11.35 crore net in India across a wide release of 6,192 shows.

The Hindi-Marathi film, led and directed by Riteish Deshmukh, released on May 1 and has opened stronger than Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, giving the industry a fresh talking point around large-scale period dramas. Early estimates had placed the film's Day 1 net collection at around ₹11.70 crore, indicating consistency between trade projections and final figures.

A major share of the opening day earnings has come from the Marathi version, which recorded stronger footfall compared to the Hindi release. According to trade estimates, the Marathi version contributed around ₹8.75 crore net, while the Hindi version added approximately ₹2.95 crore. Overall occupancy stood at around 32%, reflecting a decent turnout, particularly in Maharashtra and key regional markets.

Raja Shivaji Day 1 Performance and Comparisons

The opening day total positions Raja Shivaji ahead of Manikarnika, which had collected ₹8.75 crore on its first day in 2019. However, it still trails behind bigger historical blockbusters in Hindi cinema. Tanhaji, directed by Om Raut and starring Ajay Devgn, had opened at ₹15.10 crore, while Chhaava, featuring Vicky Kaushal, reported a much higher ₹33.50 crore debut.

These comparisons highlight that while Raja Shivaji has delivered a strong opening for a Marathi-led project, it operates in a different scale bracket compared to pan-India historical releases.

Raja Shivaji: Film Details and Cast

Raja Shivaji is based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. The film is co-written and directed by Riteish Deshmukh, who also plays the lead role. Genelia D'Souza appears as Saibai, while their sons Rahyl and Riaan portray younger versions of Shivaji.

Mounted on a reported ₹100 crore budget, the film is considered one of the most expensive Marathi productions to date. It is produced by Genelia D'Souza and Jyoti Deshpande, and features a large ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi and Amole Gupte.

Early Reviews and Weekend Outlook

Early critical response to Raja Shivaji has been mixed. A review by Hindustan Times noted that while Riteish Deshmukh delivers a committed performance, the film's length and pacing affect its overall impact. The review added that the film impresses in parts, especially towards the climax, but does not consistently engage throughout.

With a strong opening driven largely by Marathi audiences, the film's next test lies in its weekend performance starting May 3. Sustained collections will depend heavily on word of mouth, especially in the Hindi market.

Having already surpassed Manikarnika's opening day figures, Raja Shivaji has set a solid foundation. Its performance over the next few days will determine whether it can build momentum and emerge as a major box office success.