Raja Shivaji box office Day 1: Riteish's film beats Natsamrat as No. 2 Marathi film

Raja Shivaji has become the second highest-grossing Marathi film in India within four days of release. Its strong run has taken it close to Rs 50 crore and within sight of Sairat's benchmark.

In Short

• Raja Shivaji sustained strong opening weekend numbers
• It is the second highest-grossing Marathi film of all time
• Riteish Deshmukh is rewriting Marathi cinema's history

Raja Shivaji, directed by Riteish Deshmukh and starring him in the titular role, has emerged as the second highest-grossing Marathi film of all time in India. Based on the valour and reign of Maratha king and warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the film hit the screens on May 1.

After a strong opening, the film maintained its momentum on its first Monday, earning Rs 5.60 crore nett in India. This took its domestic nett collection to Rs 39.50 crore, while its four-day gross stood at Rs 46.95 crore, bringing it close to the Rs 50-crore mark.

In four days, Raja Shivaji went past Natsamrat's 10-year-old box office record to become the No. 2 Marathi film, behind only Sairat. The Nana Patekar-starrer had grossed around Rs 46.12 crore in its lifetime run, while Raja Shivaji currently stands at Rs 46.95 crore.

Check the list of top Marathi grossers in India (Source: Imdb)

1. Sairat: Rs 110 crore
2. Natsamrat: Rs 46.12 crore
3. Katyar Kaljat Ghusali: Rs 40.12 crore
4. Timepass 2: Rs 37.16 crore
5. Lai Bhaari: Rs 37 crore
6. Time Pass: Rs 31 crore
7. Duniyadari: Rs 28.75 crore
8. Mee Shivajiraje Bosale Boltoy: Rs 24 crore
9. Ventilator: Rs 23.72 crore
10. Naal: Rs 22.15 crore

Raja Shivaji has also emerged as the top Marathi opener. If it continues the same momentum, it could go on to become the highest-grossing Marathi film in India. That record is currently held by the 2016 social drama Sairat, which grossed Rs 110 crore in its lifetime run and remains the only Marathi film in the Rs 100-crore club.

The film's major business has come from the Marathi version. On the fourth day, Raja Shivaji earned Rs 4.25 crore nett in Marathi and Rs 1.35 crore nett in Hindi.

Check day-wise box office breakup of Raja Shivaji after 4 days in India - nett collection (Source: Sacnilk)

• Friday: Rs 11.35 crore
• Saturday: Rs 10.55 crore
• Sunday: Rs 12 crore
• Monday: Rs 5.60 crore
• Total: Rs 39.50 crore

Raja Shivaji has received positive reviews from critics and audiences. The film also features Genelia Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan and Bhagyashree in key roles, while Salman Khan makes a special appearance.

- Ends