Bollywood’s fascination with historical epics continues to thrive, and the latest addition, Chhaava, starring Vicky Kaushal, is making waves at the box office. With impressive opening numbers, it is drawing comparisons to past blockbusters Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior and Kesari. But how does it truly fare against these celebrated historical dramas? Let’s break down the numbers and analyze the impact of Chhaava on the box office landscape.
A Record-Breaking Start for Chhaava
Released on February 14, Chhaava, directed by Laxman Utekar, chronicles the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The film has received a thunderous response, translating into significant box office collections.
On its opening day, Chhaava minted a staggering ₹31 crore, far surpassing Tanhaji, which had collected ₹15 crore, and Kesari, which had opened with ₹21.06 crore. The momentum continued with Chhaava earning ₹37 crore on its second day, outperforming Tanhaji’s ₹20.37 crore and Kesari’s ₹16.75 crore.
By the third day, Chhaava further extended its lead with ₹48.5 crore, bringing its total three-day collection to ₹116.5 crore. In comparison, Tanhaji had collected ₹56.56 crore in its first three days, while Kesari had amassed ₹61.38 crore.
How Does Chhaava Compare in Overall Collections?
While Chhaava has had a phenomenal start, its long-term box office success will be determined by its hold in the coming weeks. Looking at past performances, Tanhaji went on to collect a net total of ₹279.55 crore, and Kesari closed at ₹277.75 crore. With Chhaava poised to surpass ₹200 crore worldwide within days, it has the potential to enter the league of Bollywood’s highest-grossing historical films.
Budget and Break-Even Analysis
Historical films tend to have high production costs due to elaborate sets, period costumes, and grand battle sequences. Chhaava was reportedly made with a budget of ₹130 crore, giving it an edge over Tanhaji (₹120 crore) and Kesari (₹80 crore).
For a film to break even, it typically needs to earn at least twice its production budget. Theatrical revenue alone does not guarantee profitability, as exhibitors retain around 40-50% of box office earnings. With a worldwide gross of ₹164.75 crore in just four days, Chhaava has already recovered its costs and is now heading into profit-making territory.
Chhaava’s First Monday Performance
The real test for any film is its hold on weekdays after the weekend rush. Chhaava cleared this hurdle effortlessly, recording an impressive ₹24 crore on Monday. Although this marked a 50.52% drop from its Sunday collection of ₹48.5 crore, it was still nearly double the combined total of the next seven highest-grossing Hindi films on their respective first Mondays. This remarkable performance suggests strong word-of-mouth and sustained audience interest.
Audience Reception and Occupancy Rates
Another significant indicator of a film’s success is occupancy rates. On its first Monday, Chhaava maintained an impressive 31.62% overall occupancy in the Hindi market. The numbers showed a steady rise throughout the day:
- Morning shows: 17.80%
- Afternoon shows: 27.11%
- Evening shows: 34.12%
- Night screenings: 47.46%
These numbers suggest that audiences are eager to experience Chhaava on the big screen, reinforcing its potential for longevity at the box office.
The Rashmika Mandanna Factor
Interestingly, Chhaava has also solidified Rashmika Mandanna’s reputation as a lucky charm in Bollywood. With her previous hits Varisu (2023), Animal (2023), and Pushpa 2: The Rule (2024), Chhaava marks her fourth consecutive theatrical success. Her presence in the film is likely contributing to its mass appeal across different demographics.
Critical Reception and Comparisons to Other Epics
Chhaava is based on the Marathi novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant and portrays the life of Sambhaji Maharaj. Critics have lauded Vicky Kaushal’s powerful performance, while some have drawn comparisons to The Passion of Christ due to the film’s intense climax. Despite minor criticisms, the audience reception has been overwhelmingly positive.
Final Verdict: Is Chhaava the New Box Office King?
With its record-breaking opening and sustained weekday performance, Chhaava has positioned itself as one of the biggest Bollywood releases of 2025. While it remains to be seen if it can surpass the lifetime collections of Tanhaji and Kesari, its current trajectory suggests it is on the right path to becoming a historic success.
As Bollywood continues to explore historical narratives, Chhaava has proven that well-crafted period dramas still have the power to captivate audiences and dominate the box office.
