After enjoying a fantastic weekend at the box office, Chhaava has started its weekdays well too in Week 4. The film brought in R 3.75 crores* more and yet again, the drop from Friday is less than 50%. The fourth week had started well with Rs. 6.30 crores being collected on Friday and the numbers which have come on Monday are positive all over again.

This is also the 25th day for the film and the fact that footfalls are still coming despite huge jump on Saturday and then Sunday being fantastic as well despite an all-important cricket match goes on to show the kind of hold that it’s enjoying. At least Rs. 9-10 crores more will come before the close of the week and that will also be triggered by Holi holiday on Friday due to which Thursday night will have a good jump.

The film has now collected Rs. 528.58 crores* and there is a good chance that Rs. 550 crores milestone will be surpassed by Sunday itself. A lot would be dependent on the kind of jump that comes on Holi (despite theatres opening only post afternoon due to the festivities) and then further jump on Saturday (despite John Abraham’s The Diplomat releasing too).

*Estimates

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

When a film strikes an emotional chord with audiences, the results can be staggering. In the case of Chhaava, a significant factor behind its massive box office numbers has been its long and emotionally powerful climax, which has left audiences shaken and stirred. Starring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna, and directed by Laxman Utekar, the film hit screens on Valentine’s Day, February 14. Chhaava is a historical drama based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film chronicles his struggles, triumphs, and ultimate sacrifice, culminating in his tragic capture by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. This heart-wrenching conclusion has resonated deeply with audiences, playing a crucial role in the film’s extraordinary success.

In most mainstream Bollywood films, the climax follows a predictable trajectory - the hero triumphs over the villain in a cathartic, action-packed showdown. However, Chhaava deviates from this norm by presenting a gut-wrenching climax that not only defies expectations but elevates the film’s impact.

As the final act unfolds, the protagonist, played with fierce intensity by Vicky Kaushal, faces relentless torture at the hands of the antagonist. Instead of delivering the expected vengeful justice, the hero endures excruciating pain but refuses to bow down. His resilience in the face of brutality creates a new definition of heroism - one not driven by raw strength alone, but by unbreakable willpower.

The sequence was stretched for an extended period, heightening the tension and making every moment feel agonizingly real. The cinematography and background score amplified the distress, leaving the audience emotionally drained yet deeply moved. This unconventional choice by the filmmakers proved to be a masterstroke, as it ensured that viewers remained emotionally invested even after the credits rolled.

Veteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh, in an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama, said that he was shaken by the climax of Chaava. “I think the climax is one of the biggest strengths of Chhaava,” he said. “It was very emotional. It brought tears to my eyes. I was completely speechless. I watched the film two days before its release at a private screening. When I came out, I spoke to Dinesh Vijan and Vicky Kaushal. I told them I was speechless and I had no words. It was a magnificent film but more than that, the climax broke my heart. The way Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was tortured, it was so heart-breaking. The way they have shot it, and Vicky has performed and also Viineet Kumar Siingh, it was outstanding. Even Akshaye Khanna is so good as Aurangzeb.”

The power of the climax has translated into unprecedented audience reactions. Moviegoers are clapping, crying, and, in many cases, revisiting the film just to experience the raw emotions once again. This surge in repeat viewership has resulted in a box office surge of Rs. 100-150 crores, solidifying Chhaava as one of the most successful films of the year.

Vishek Chauhan, owner of Roopbani Cinema in Purnia, Bihar, remarked, “I think the emotions landed and it was a calculated move by the producers. The people started to feel for the character at that point. Normally, the hero beats the s**t out of the villain in the end. But here, the villain mercilessly tortures the hero. Yet, the hero doesn’t bow down to him. That is another way of showing heroism and it has really resonated with the audience. People are clapping in some of the brave and hero-worthy moments. Response bahut hi tagda hai.”

Few films have seen such a direct correlation between their emotional impact and box office success. The climax of Chhaava has single-handedly driven repeat footfalls, with word-of-mouth spreading like wildfire. Audiences are actively encouraging others to watch the film, emphasizing how it delivers a deeply moving experience.

Moreover, this response is reminiscent of some of Bollywood’s most iconic emotional climaxes—from Gadar: Ek Prem Katha to Bajirao Mastani—where the audience left the theatres overwhelmed but undeniably satisfied.

Taran Adarsh agreed that the climax of Chhaava played a major role in its success but he also added that that can’t be the only factor. “Yes, the climax has contributed; I won’t deny that. But I think when a film works, everything contributes to its success. It cannot be just one factor alone. Yes, that could be one of the added reasons, but there is more to Chhaava,” he said.

Having a slightly different opinion, veteran trade analyst Atul Mohan said in an exclusive chat, “The climax was the main point of conversation between the film and the audience that how brutal it (protagonist’s death) was. In general, everyone was only talking about the climax part. That was the talking point of the film. The success of the film should be attributed to the climax only. It was risky to present such a climax. The audience’s reaction could have been anything. The maximum business of the film that has happened, all thanks to the conversation, which was around the climax. We saw the kind of reactions on social media the audience had in the theatres after the climax where people are crying or standing stunned.”

Chhaava proves that a film doesn’t always need a grand, explosive fight scene to create an unforgettable ending. Sometimes, the most powerful form of heroism is found in endurance, not aggression. By breaking away from the formulaic climax and delivering an emotionally devastating yet inspiring finale, Chhaava has carved a place in the hearts of audiences—and the history books of box office triumphs.

With ICC Champion’s Trophy finals between India and New Zealand on Sunday, collections of Chhaava did take a hit. This was on the expected lines as well since cricket is the most popular sport in India and with the cricket team reaching third straight finals in an ICC event for ODI/T20 tournaments, the excitement level was palpable. One can well assume that the entire film industry too was glued to the screens and hence theatres saw minimal footfalls on Sunday.

As it is, Chhaava is seeing the highest count of screens and shows allocated to it with no new releases in theatres, and hence the only footfalls that are expected are from those who have not yet watched the film in the first three weeks itself. It’s that segment of audience which waits for the word of mouth to strike really hard and then decide their visit to theatres. Since they are not the FDFS show kind in any case, they have patience to wait for that one extra day and hence Sunday visit to theatre was anyways not expected to be their first priority.

Still, the Vicky Kaushal starrer did manage Rs. 8.43 crores more on Sunday and that’s a very good number as well. Yes, Rs. 10 crores could well have been possible on a regular Sunday but then a part of that has anyways been covered on Saturday, and rest would be taken care of in the coming weekdays. So far, the film has collected Rs. 524.83 crores and next up it would be Rs. 550 crores milestone that would be crossed.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

There was excellent growth for Chhaava on Saturday with collections zooming all over again. This was on the cards as well since first and foremost it’s an accepted film and as has been a trend seen post pandemic, in such scenarios even biggies end up seeing their footfalls multiply on Saturdays. Secondly, there is practically no new release in theatres which means the film is enjoying its best release period. Thirdly, today is Champion’s Trophy finals between India and New Zealand due to which a portion of Sunday audience has also stepped into theatres on Saturday.

As a result, as much as Rs. 13.70 crores more came in and that’s an excellent number for fourth Saturday as the numbers have more than doubled up over Friday which stood at Rs. 6.30 crores. The collections have been super strong and that’s adding on to the blockbuster run of the movie. In fact, if normal trending would have followed on Sunday, then the numbers could well have hit double digits today as well. However, with the all-important match, the collections will certainly take a hit from afternoon shows itself. Moreover, it’s a ODI instead of T20, which means practically the entire day would be impacted.

Still, the overall collections have now reached Rs. 516.40 crores and even after the dip today, the total will come close to Rs. 525 crores. By the close of fourth week, the film would have crossed Rs. 535 crores and post that its journey towards Rs. 550 crores milestone would be tracked quite closely.

Note: All collections as per various box office sources

Rashmika Mandanna has etched her name in box office history by becoming the only actress with three films crossing the Rs. 500 crore mark. Her latest release, Chhaava, co-starring Vicky Kaushal, has stormed past this milestone, making it her third consecutive blockbuster to achieve this feat.

Directed by Laxman Utekar, Chhaava hit theaters on February 14, 2025, and has been on an extraordinary run ever since. The historical drama quickly gained momentum, surpassing Rs. 100 crore in its early days and then racing past Rs. 200 crore and Rs. 400 crore within weeks. Now, in just 22 days, it has comfortably entered the Rs. 500 crore club.

This achievement marks a unique hat-trick for Rashmika, whose previous two films, Animal and Pushpa 2: The Rule, also crossed Rs. 500 crore worldwide. With this, she has set a new benchmark in the industry, standing ahead of leading actresses like Deepika Padukone, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Shraddha Kapoor, who each have one film in the elite Rs. 500 crore club.

Rashmika’s success is not just about box office numbers; it's a testament to her versatility and wide appeal across different film industries. Whether it’s her powerhouse performance in Animal, her mass entertainer persona in Pushpa 2, or her compelling role in Chhaava, she has struck a chord with audiences everywhere.

With three back-to-back Rs. 500 crore blockbusters, Rashmika Mandanna has firmly established herself as one of the biggest box office forces in Indian cinema. As her winning streak continues, fans eagerly await her next move—will she make it four in a row?