Vicky Kaushal’s ‘Chhaava’ Opens Strong at the Box Office on Valentine’s Day

The much-anticipated historical drama “Chhaava”, starring Vicky Kaushal, hit theaters on Valentine’s Day, drawing major excitement among audiences. Directed by Laxman Utekar, the film is a grand-scale biopic on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, showcasing the life and legacy of the Maratha king.

A Promising Box Office Start

Industry experts believe “Chhaava” is set for an exceptional opening, possibly making it the biggest Valentine’s Day release in India to date.

According to trade tracker Sacnilk, the film recorded impressive advance bookings, selling nearly 5 lakh tickets across India for its opening day. This generated an advance booking revenue of ₹13.79 crore, making it one of Bollywood’s strongest openings in recent years.

Experts predict that “Chhaava” could cross ₹20 crore at the domestic box office on its first day, with hopes of reaching ₹22 crore. If it achieves this, it will surpass Sky Force (which earned ₹15.30 crore on its opening day) to become the biggest Bollywood opener of 2025.

Current Box Office Trends

By midday, reports suggest that “Chhaava” had already earned around ₹6 crore in net collections across India. The numbers are expected to rise throughout the day, especially in the evening due to Valentine’s Day celebrations.

The film also has the potential to beat Vicky Kaushal’s personal record. His previous highest opener, “Uri: The Surgical Strike,” earned ₹8.20 crore on its first day.

Additionally, “Chhaava” might break the Valentine’s Day box office record currently held by “Gully Boy” (₹19.40 crore in 2019), making it a significant milestone in Vicky Kaushal’s career.

Filming Locations and Regional Response

The film was shot in several historically significant locations across Maharashtra, including Pune and Wai. These places offer a glimpse into the state’s rich cultural and historical heritage, making them an attraction for travelers interested in Maratha history.

Though “Chhaava” is receiving a strong nationwide buzz, its performance varies by region:

• Maharashtra leads in advance bookings, with a high audience turnout.
• Delhi-NCR has shown moderate interest in the film.
• Other states remain unpredictable, with mixed audience engagement.

The film’s strong connection to Maharashtra’s history and culture is likely the reason for its overwhelming popularity in the state, compared to other regions.

With strong advance bookings and positive momentum, “Chhaava” is on track for a record-breaking debut, setting a high benchmark for Bollywood films in 2025.