A historic milestone for Marathi cinema
Riteish Deshmukh’s Raja Shivaji has done what no Marathi film has done before. The historical drama has officially become the highest grossing Marathi film in India, with domestic collections crossing the Rs 109 crore mark. Industry insiders confirm that the film’s total Indian box office collection now stands at approximately Rs 109.45 crore gross, combining earnings from both the original Marathi version and the Hindi dubbed release.
The film’s fifth weekend saw an estimated collection of Rs 1.20 crore, though that figure represents a 65 per cent drop compared to the previous weekend. With the theatrical run now winding down, trade analysts predict the film will finish between Rs 110 crore and Rs 112 crore gross in India.
How it compares to other blockbusters
While Raja Shivaji has shattered records nationally, its performance within Maharashtra tells a different story. Sources close to the trade reveal that the film is expected to remain behind all-time Marathi giants like Sairat and Baipan Bhari Deva within the state. Maharashtra remains the core audience for Marathi cinema, so those comparisons are inevitable.
There was buzz that Raja Shivaji might match the scale of historical hits like Tanhaji and Chhaava in Maharashtra. For context, Tanhaji‘s earnings would adjust to around Rs 250 crore in today’s value, while Chhaava crossed Rs 300 crore in the state alone. Industry insiders say Raja Shivaji is not expected to hit even the Rs 100 crore mark within Maharashtra.
Still, the film’s nationwide reach has been its real victory. By pulling in audiences beyond the traditional Marathi-speaking belt, Raja Shivaji has proven that regional cinema can travel far beyond its home market.
A blockbuster year for Marathi films
The success of Raja Shivaji comes in a year that’s already looking bright for Marathi cinema. Alongside the strong performance of Deool Band 2, Riteish’s film has helped put the regional industry firmly in the national spotlight.
Trade experts note that the film’s box office journey has been remarkably consistent. After a massive opening week of Rs 62 crore, the film held steady through weeks two and three before tapering off naturally in its fourth and fifth weeks. Here’s how the numbers break down:
Week 1: Rs 62.00 crore
Week 2: Rs 28.00 crore
Week 3: Rs 13.00 crore
Week 4: Rs 5.25 crore
5th Weekend: Rs 1.20 crore
Total: Rs 109.45 crore
With the film now in its final leg, all eyes are on whether it can cross that Rs 112 crore ceiling. Either way, Raja Shivaji has already secured its place in history books — and given Marathi cinema a new benchmark to aim for.