Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna’s latest film, Chhaava’s box office collections, has taken everyone by storm, becoming Bollywood’s first big hit of 2025. Directed by Laxman Utekar, this historical drama dives into the life of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the secondmajor ruler of the Maratha Empire. While it may not be a masterpiece, it’s undoubtedly a well-made film that has struck a chord with audiences, proving once again how much Indian viewers cherish stories rooted in the nation’s rich cultural and historical heritage.

Chhaava’s box office collections prove it is both a mass and a class film

Chhaava hit theaters on February 14, 2025, and quickly became the talk of the town. The film raked in an impressive ₹219.25 crore in its first week, with a strong opening day collection of ₹31 crore. And guess what? The momentum has not slowed down in the second week, as the film has earned ₹23.5 crore on its second Friday and a whopping ₹44 crore on the following Saturday. Within just nine days, its total domestic net collection soared to ₹286.75 crore, putting it on track to cross the ₹300 crore mark. This makes Chhaava Vicky Kaushal’s highest-grossing film to date, and believe it or not, it has even surpassed his previous hits Uri: The Surgical Strike and Raazi, both of which had themes of national pride and patriotism.

Internationally, the film has also made waves, earning approximately ₹393 crore in only nine days. It’s clear that Chhaava has managed to connect with audiences not just in India, but also far and wide.

Why Audiences Love Stories Like Chhaava

Chhaava’s box office collections aren’t that surprising when you look at Bollywood’s history. Indian cinema has always had a special place for films that celebrate the nation’s heritage, bravery, and historical milestones. Movies like Lagaan (2001), which told the story of a cricket match between Indian villagers and British colonizers, not only won hearts but also earned an Academy Award nomination. Similarly, films like Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020) were both box office hits and critical darlings, thanks to their powerful portrayals of historical figures and events. What makes the film wasn’t just the performances: the films were deeply rooted in our culture!

These films work because they give audiences a sense of pride and connection to India’s glorious past. They’re not just entertainment—they’re a way to pass down stories and values to our younger generations as well.

The Westernization of Bollywood: A Double-Edged Sword

Despite the clear love for culturally rich narratives, a big part of Bollywood still leans heavily toward Westernized themes and storytelling. This shift is evident in a few ways. Many modern films focus on upper class families living the city life, often sidelining rural settings and traditional values. Ninety percent of Indians can’t even connect with such stories. Also in many Bollywood movies, we see that around 80 percent of the dialogues are in Urdu and/or English. For an industry that calls itself the “Hindi” film industry, this is definitely a bit absurd.

While even urban stories are sometimes important, they sometimes miss the chance to explore the diversity of Indian experiences. These kinds of films try to appeal to an international audience, but they sometimes feel disconnected from the local culture. It is time for Bollywood to understand that if foreigners watch an Indian film, they want to see “Indianness”, not forced Westernization.

Striking the Right Balance

The success of Chhaava shows that audiences are hungry for stories that reflect their cultural roots. Indians want to see stories about their national heroes, who fought for their cultural pride and their freedom.

Even when experimenting with new genres, it’s important to stay true to Indian culture and avoid superficial or overly westernized representations. Films deeply rooted in Indian culture can still have universal appeal. Stories about love, sacrifice, and bravery resonate across borders, as seen in the global success of movies such as Lagaan and RRR.

Wrapping It Up

Chhaava’s box office collections are a reminder that Indian audiences will always love films that honour their history and culture. While modernization and international influences are inevitable, Bollywood’s true strength lies in its ability to tell stories that reflect India’s diverse heritage. We can see how every major film that released this year turned out to be a box office disaster, so it is a proof that movies like Chhaava that stays true to Indian roots will always be accepted by the people!

The success of the film also shows that an Indian historical action game, based on Chhaava, has immense potential! So Indian game developers should take this as an inspiration too!