NewsIndia

Raja Shivaji sets a new record for Marathi cinema by surpassing the opening day collection of Manikarnika. The film collected over ₹11 crore on its first day, marking a significant achievement in regional films.

The prior expectation was modest. Many analysts anticipated that Raja Shivaji would perform well but not necessarily exceed Manikarnika’s opening day figures. However, the film surprised everyone.

On its release date of May 1, 2026, Raja Shivaji recorded a box office total of ₹11.35 crore from 6,192 shows. This figure included ₹8 crore from the Marathi version and ₹3.35 crore from the Hindi version, with occupancy rates of 68% and 16%, respectively.

By surpassing Manikarnika’s opening day collection of ₹8.75 crore, Raja Shivaji demonstrated its strong appeal. The film is co-written and directed by Riteish Deshmukh, who also stars in it alongside Sanjay Dutt and Abhishek Bachchan.

This historical drama focuses on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. It is reportedly the most expensive Marathi film ever made, with a production cost of ₹100 crore.

Industry experts predict that Raja Shivaji will continue to dominate footfalls over its Hindi version as word-of-mouth spreads. The overall occupancy rate for the film on its opening day was 32%, indicating strong audience interest.

The success of Raja Shivaji highlights the growing market for Marathi cinema. It reflects a shift in audience preferences toward regional films that tell culturally significant stories.