Vicky Kaushal's 'Chhaava' breaks records, adds 6 am and midnight shows

The historical drama 'Chhaava,' directed by Laxman Utekar and starring Vicky Kaushal, has had a strong start at the box office, earning over ₹67 crore in the domestic market in its first two days. The film is on track to enter the ₹100 crore club during its opening weekend. The high demand for tickets has led exhibitors to add late-night and early-morning shows, mainly in Maharashtra.

'Chhaava,' the biopic of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, showcases his fight against the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The film has resonated well with audiences in Maharashtra due to Sambhaji's significant cultural importance. As of Sunday, February 16, 2025, many theaters in Mumbai and Pune have begun offering midnight shows, extending their screening hours. Additionally, smaller centers are even hosting shows as early as 6 AM and as late as 1 AM, according to exhibitors reported by Hindustan Times.

Following its February 14, 2025, release, the film 'Chhaava,' starring Vicky Kaushal, is experiencing a major box office surge. Reports show potential extended showtimes in Mumbai, reaching as late as 1:30 AM, though not yet active. Occupancy rates are soaring, hitting 97% in Pune and 93% in Mumbai on Saturday night. Southern cities like Chennai and Hyderabad also report strong numbers, at 81% and 88%, respectively. By day two, Chhaava surpassed ₹50 crore domestically, climbing from ₹31 crore on opening day to ₹36.5 crore on Saturday, with overall Hindi occupancy jumping from 42.02% to 50.39%. The high demand has even prompted theaters in Pune to add 6 AM screenings.

'Chhaava,' starring Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Akshaye Khanna as Emperor Aurangzeb, with Rashmika Mandanna and Divya Dutta in supporting roles, has garnered mixed reviews from critics.