📌 Key Points
- Raja Shivaji collected ₹11 crore on its opening day, May 1.
- The film surpassed Manikarnika’s opening day collection of ₹8.75 crore.
- Riteish Deshmukh stars, co-writes, and directs the Hindi-Marathi historical drama.
- Critics praised Deshmukh’s effort and visual grandeur but noted inconsistent engagement.
Riteish Deshmukh’s historical drama “Raja Shivaji” has made a strong debut at the box office, collecting ₹11 crore on its opening day. The film, which also stars Genelia D’Souza, has notably surpassed the first-day earnings of “Manikarnika,” marking a significant success for the Hindi-Marathi venture.
Raja Shivaji’s Impressive Opening Day Haul
Raja Shivaji box office collection day 1: Riteish Deshmukh ’s Raja Shivaji, co-written, directed by and starring him, hit screens on May 1. The Hindi-Marathi film starring Genelia D’Souza, Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan and others has beaten the opening collection of Krish and Kangana Ranaut’s film historical drama film Manikarnika.
Outperforming Historical Dramas: A Box Office Comparison
This means that Raja Shivaji has beaten the opening-day collections of Manikarnika (2019), which collected ₹ 8.75 crore. For context, other historical dramas like Om Raut and Ajay Devgn’s Tanhaji (2020) had collected ₹ 15.10 crore on its opening day, while Laxman Utekar and Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava (2025) had made ₹ 33.50 crore.
Critical Take: Riteish Deshmukh’s Performance & Film Review
Hindustan Times’ review of Raja Shivaji reads: “On the acting front, Riteish Deshmukh gives the role his all and, for the most part, manages to convince. The impact, however, might have been stronger had the runtime been trimmed. Genelia Deshmukh, his real-life partner, is wonderful in her part as Saibai.” But to sum it up: “Overall, Raja Shivaji is a film that commands respect more than it commands engagement. The intent is noble, the scale undeniable. But for all it’s visual grandeur, it doesn’t translate into a consistent, gripping cinematic experience. It soars in parts, especially towards the end. But as a whole, it remains a spectacle that you admire more than you feel.”
Despite mixed critical reception regarding its pacing, “Raja Shivaji” has undeniably made a significant box office impact. Its impressive opening day collection signals strong audience interest, positioning it as a notable contender in the historical drama genre.
