Raja Shivaji Opens to ₹40.34 Crore, Sets Marathi Cinema Record

Riteish Deshmukh’s ambitious historical drama Raja Shivaji has delivered a powerful opening weekend at the Indian box office, grossing ₹40.34 crore in its first three days. Released on May 1, 2026, in both Marathi and Hindi, the film chronicles the life of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and has resonated deeply with audiences across Maharashtra and beyond.

A Historic Milestone for Marathi Cinema

The Marathi version of the film emerged as the primary engine behind its success, recording an impressive ₹8 crore on its very first day — a new benchmark for Marathi-language releases, surpassing the previous record set by Manikarnika. Net collections for the weekend stood at ₹33.90 crore, while the Hindi version contributed ₹11 crore over the three-day period. The film has firmly established that Marathi cinema can compete at a large commercial scale.

Despite initial doubts from some quarters about Riteish Deshmukh’s suitability for the role, audiences and critics alike have praised his heartfelt and convincing portrayal of the Maratha warrior king. His surprise visit to a Mumbai theatre screening generated widespread excitement, with fans rushing to meet him in an outpouring of affection and admiration.

Tough Competition Ahead

Raja Shivaji now faces stiff competition in the coming weeks from Akshay Kumar’s Bhooth Bangla, Junaid Khan’s Ek Din, and the Hollywood sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2. However, strong word-of-mouth and exceptional performance in the Marathi belt give the film a solid foundation to sustain its momentum through the second weekend and beyond.