Ajay Devgn’s latest release, Raid 2, has kicked off its theatrical run on a high note, raking in impressive numbers on its opening day. The film, a sequel to the 2018 hit Raid, has clearly struck a chord with audiences, offering a promising boost for Hindi cinema amid a period of box office uncertainty. This is the second film after Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava to open strong at the Indian box office.
The film earned around ₹18 crore on Day 1 across India, as per a Sacnilk report. The figures are certainly encouraging, especially for a genre that leans heavily on gripping storytelling and strong performances rather than mass-appeal spectacle.
According to early estimates by Sacnilk, the film recorded an overall occupancy of 31.81% on its opening day, with morning shows at 21.23%, afternoon shows at 35.76%, and evening shows at 38.45%. Additionally, reports indicate that ‘Raid 2’ performed strongly in regions like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, and West Bengal .
Set once again in the politically charged corridors of power and corruption, Raid 2 sees Devgn reprise his role as the no-nonsense IRS officer Amay Patnaik. The actor’s portrayal continues to anchor the franchise with his trademark intensity, and initial audience reactions suggest that the film’s slow-burn narrative and tightly woven screenplay have managed to hold viewer attention.
The film also stars Vaani Kapoor, Rajat Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla, Supriya Pathak and Amit Sial in major roles. It is directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, who also helmed its 2018 prequel. On a related note, the prequel also starred Ileana D’Cruz opposite Devgn.
The release also comes at a time when Bollywood has been searching for consistency at the box office. With big-budget films often struggling to deliver both critical acclaim and commercial success, Raid 2 might mark a shift towards content-driven cinema making a stronger comeback.
If Raid 2 can maintain its current trajectory, it could very well become one of the major hits of the year—and a reminder that strong storytelling still draws crowds.
