Vicky Kaushal’s latest film, Chhaava, has taken the box office by storm, breaking records set by some of the biggest historical and mythological films in Indian cinema. The movie, which tells the inspiring story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has struck a chord with audiences thanks to its unbiased portrayal of our historical figures and breathtaking action. As of 5th March 2025, Chhaava has collected an impressive ₹472 crore domestically, surpassing several major films along the way. This is not a small feat and here, we analyze, how Chhaava has surpassed several movies which are of a similar genre.
Chhaava Beats Kalki 2898 AD
One of Chhaava’s standout moments came when it outperformed Kalki 2898 AD on its 19th day. Kalki, a sci-fi mythological film starring Prabhas, earned ₹4 crore on its 19th day. Chhaava, however, brought in ₹5.50 crore on the same day, proving its strong staying power at the box office despite slowing down.
Overtaking Baahubali: The Beginning
Released in 2015, Baahubali: The Beginning was a game-changer for Indian cinema, setting new standards with its grand visuals and captivating story. The film earned around ₹421 crore in India. Chhaava has now crossed that mark, showing its strength in the historical genre. While Baahubali was a fictional epic, Chhaava brings real history to life, making its success even more noteworthy.
Surpassing 2.0
Shankar’s sci-fi film 2.0, starring Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar, had a strong run at the box office, earning ₹407 crore domestically. Chhaava has now even crossed that figure, proving that historical dramas can compete with even big-budget sci-fi films.
Outshining Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire
Prabhas’ Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire was one of the biggest action films in recent years, earning ₹406.45 crore in India. Despite its high-octane action and mass appeal, Salaar couldn’t keep up with Chhaava, which has now surpassed its total earnings.
Leaving Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior Behind
Ajay Devgn’s Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020) was a major historical hit, collecting around ₹280 crore at the domestic box office. While Tanhaji beautifully portrayed the bravery of Tanaji Malusare, Chhaava highlights another Maratha hero—Sambhaji Maharaj—and has more than doubled Tanhaji’s earnings.
Going Beyond Padmaavat
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat (2018) remains one of the most visually stunning historical films, earning ₹302 crore in India. Starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and Shahid Kapoor, Padmaavat was a huge success. However, Chhaava, even though directed by Laxman Utekar, someone who is comparatively newer to the industry, has now even surpassed that figure, proving how much audiences love powerful historical stories based on our unsung heroes.
Outperforming Mohenjo Daro and Samrat Prithviraj
Hrithik Roshan’s Mohenjo Daro (2016) and Akshay Kumar’s Samrat Prithviraj (2022) were both ambitious historical projects, but neither made a big impact at the box office. Mohenjo Daro struggled to reach ₹100 crore, while Samrat Prithviraj ended its run at ₹90 crore. In comparison, Chhaava has dominated the genre, earning nearly five times the combined total of these two films.
Heading Toward the ₹500 Crore Club
With ₹472 crore already in the bag, Chhaava is just a step away from joining the elite ₹500 crore club. If it reaches this milestone, it will stand among the highest-grossing historical film in Indian cinema, proving that period dramas can still draw massive crowds when made with the right intentions.
The Legacy of Chhaava
The success of Chhaava shows how much audiences love historical stories and grand, patriotic themes. What makes this success so exceptional is the fact that Vicky is still a rising star, and compared to the stars of the other films, he is new to the industry as well as younger. The same can be said about the director of the film as well!
Unlike mythological films that mix fantasy with reality, Chhaava brings real historical figures to life, making its impact even stronger. As the film continues to break records, it has cemented its place as one of the most successful historical films ever made in India.
In the coming days, Chhaava might achieve even more milestones, redefining what historical films can achieve at the box office. It’s proof that stories from India’s past can still create blockbuster success today.
