Chhava has crossed the Rs 100 crore mark in India in the first three days. The Vicky-Rashmika starrer has earned an estimated Rs 116 crore in its opening weekend dominated by audiences from Maharashtra, while Thandel, a softer romantic trope has crossed an international Rs 100 crore mark on its tenth day after release.
Thandel’s Box Office Journey
Released on February 7, 2025, ‘Thandel’ is a romantic action thriller directed by Chandoo Mondeti. The film, inspired by a real-life incident from 2018, narrates the story of fishermen from Srikakulam who inadvertently drift into Pakistani waters. Despite a modest production budget of ₹75 crore, ‘Thandel’ has demonstrated strong box office performance.
According to Sacnilk, the film has collected more than Rs 10 crore on its opening day with more Rs 12 crore on the following two days of the weekend. By the end of its first week, ‘Thandel’ amassed ₹49.4 crore in India. On its second Sunday (Day 10), the film earned ₹3.24 crore, bringing its total India net collection to approximately ₹57.19 crore. Globally, the film has grossed over ₹100 crore, marking a significant milestone for Naga Chaitanya.
Chhava’s Rapid Ascent
Premiering on February 14, 2025, ‘Chhaava‘ is a historical action drama directed by Laxman Utekar. The film features Vicky Kaushal in a compelling portrayal, supported by a strong ensemble cast. ‘Chhaava’ has made a significant impact at the box office, with Sacnilk reporting numbers thrice that of Thandel. An exponential increase from Vicky Kaushal’s debut film Masaan, Chhava crossed Rs 30 crore on just its first day. Where Masaan made a lifetime profit of Rs 3.43 crore, Kaushal can potentially make history in Bollywood by making a profit more than 25 times of his debut.
The success trajectories of ‘Thandel’ and ‘Chhaava’ underscore the dynamic nature of the Indian box office. ‘Thandel’s’ steady growth highlights the potential of regional films to captivate audiences beyond their primary markets, including Tamil and Hindi dubs, has broadened its reach, contributing to its global success. In contrast, ‘Chhaava’s’ rapid ascent indicate a robust demand and effective marketing strategies. Its performance suggests a positive trend for Bollywood, potentially setting a benchmark for upcoming releases in 2025.