Riteish Deshmukh’s Raja Shivaji has arrived with massive expectations, and the film has wasted no time in making its presence felt at the box office. The historical epic, based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has opened to packed houses, especially in Maharashtra and nearby regions. The buzz around the film was strong even before release, but what truly stands out now is how the audience has embraced it on Day 1.
The film marks a significant moment for Marathi cinema, as it brings a larger-than-life story to the big screen with scale and emotion. Riteish Deshmukh, not just as an actor but also as a director, has taken on a huge responsibility with this project. And the initial response clearly indicates that the effort has paid off.
While the Marathi version is already witnessing housefull shows, the Hindi version is expected to gain momentum over the weekend. This kind of trend is quite common for regional films that also release in Hindi, where word of mouth plays a key role in driving collections beyond the core market.
Historic Opening For Marathi Cinema
The biggest highlight of Day 1 is the historic milestone achieved by Raja Shivaji. The film has emerged as the biggest opener of all time for a Marathi film, surpassing TimePass 2 by a huge margin. This is no small feat and reflects the growing scale and reach of regional cinema in India.
The audience response has been overwhelmingly positive, especially in Maharashtra, where the story of Shivaji Maharaj holds deep emotional and cultural significance. The film has managed to connect with viewers on both an emotional and cinematic level, which is clearly translating into strong box office numbers.
The word of mouth is another major factor working in the film’s favor. Early viewers are appreciating the performances, the storytelling, and the overall scale of the film. This positive feedback is expected to drive even higher footfalls over the weekend.
Raja Shivaji Day 1 Box Office Collection
Now comes the most awaited part — the Day 1 numbers, and they are impressive.
| Category | Collection (INR) |
|---|---|
| Day 1 (Friday) | ₹ 12.40 Crore |
| Language Split | Marathi + Hindi (Combined) |
With this opening, Raja Shivaji has firmly established itself as one of the biggest starters of the year.
Among The Top Openers Of 2026
The film has also secured a spot among the top openers of 2026, ranking as the fourth biggest opener of the year. This is a remarkable achievement considering the competition from big-budget Bollywood films. Here’s a look at the top 5 openers of 2026:
| Rank | Film | Opening Collection |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dhurandhar The Revenge | ₹ 145 Crore |
| 2 | Border 2 | ₹ 32.1 Crore |
| 3 | Bhooth Bangla | ₹ 18.31 Crore |
| 4 | Raja Shivaji | ₹ 12.40 Crore |
| 5 | O Romeo | ₹ 9.01 Crore |
This ranking highlights the strong opening achieved by the film despite being a historical drama rooted in regional cinema.
Cast, Performances, And Direction
Raja Shivaji features a powerful ensemble cast including Riteish Deshmukh, Salman Khan, Genelia Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, and Amole Gupte.
Riteish Deshmukh, who also directs the film, has taken on the challenging role of Shivaji Maharaj. His performance is being widely appreciated for its depth and authenticity.
Raja Shivaji Review
Praneet Samaiya from Cinetales gave Raja Shivaji 4 stars and called it Powerful. He wrote,
“Riteish Deshmukh delivers a visually rich historical epic saga filled with strong performances. Raja Shivaji brings one of India’s most revered historical figures Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to the big screen with scale, emotion, and intent. The screenplay is filled with dramatic and emotional sequences. The film does not rely only on battles. It highlights Shivaji Maharaj’s intelligence, and planning.
Yes, the runtime feels long. The editing could have been tighter. The VFX, while decent, could have been better in certain sequences. Ajay–Atul’s music is one of the highlights. The songs blend well with the narrative. It elevates the overall experience. Overall, Raja Shivaji succeeds in delivering a powerful and emotionally engaging experience. It combines strong performances, detailed storytelling, and grand visuals.”
Weekend Expectations
With such a strong opening and positive word of mouth, Raja Shivaji is expected to show significant growth over the weekend. The Hindi version, in particular, is likely to pick up pace as more audiences become aware of the film.
The Maharashtra circuit will continue to drive major collections, while other regions could contribute more as the weekend progresses. If the trend continues, the film is set for a big opening weekend.
Final Verdict
Raja Shivaji has taken a historic start at the box office, setting new benchmarks for Marathi cinema. The film has not only opened strong but has also created a solid foundation for the days ahead.
With positive word of mouth, strong performances, and emotional connect with the audience, the film is well on its way to becoming a major success. The weekend surge is expected to further boost its numbers, making it one of the most talked-about releases of the year.
For Riteish Deshmukh, this film is more than just a box office success. It is a statement — both as an actor and as a filmmaker. And going by the opening day response, it looks like the audience is fully on board.
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