Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna’s long-awaited periodic drama, Chhaava, hit theaters on February 14 after a two-month delay. The film has received positive reviews from both critics and audiences, particularly highlighting Vicky’s portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. This enthusiastic response has resulted in an impressive opening, making it the highest-grossing film debut of 2025.
Chhaava has smashed records by grossing ₹31 crore on its opening day in India, according to early estimates from Sacnilk. This achievement has crowned it as Vicky’s biggest opener to date, surpassing his previous blockbuster, Uri: The Surgical Strike, which had pulled in ₹8.20 crore during its debut. The film’s opening also eclipsed Akshay Kumar‘s Sky Force, which had earned over ₹12 crore at the box office.
On its first day, Chhaava recorded a commendable overall Hindi occupancy rate of 42.02 percent. Morning shows attracted a footfall of 30.51 percent, while afternoon and evening shows saw attendance rise to 34.50 percent and 40.51 percent, respectively. The night shows reached an impressive 62.55 percent occupancy, with Pune reporting the highest figure at 79.75 percent.
Early social media reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with viewers praising Vicky Kaushal’s performance as his career-best. However, other cast members did not leave as strong an impression; audience feedback noted that Rashmika Mandanna’s portrayal felt lackluster, and the film’s background score was criticized for not resonating with the period setting. The climax and second half of Chhaava have been particularly spotlighted in discussions online.
This unprecedented opening for Chhaava marks a significant milestone for Vicky Kaushal, pushing the boundaries of box office expectations in an evolving industry. As reviews continue to roll in, many are anticipating how this performance will influence the trajectory of both Vicky’s career and the broader landscape of Indian cinema, especially in comparison to established stars like Akshay Kumar. With all eyes on this cinematic event, the coming days will reveal if Chhaava can sustain its momentum and set new benchmarks in Indian film history.
