NEW DELHI – India’s cinema market is seeing strong growth in 2025, with box office revenues rising 14% over the first half of the year, Ormax Media has reported in its India Box Office Report: Jan-Jun 2025.
At the centre of this surge sits the historical action film Chhaava, which stars Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna.
The film has grossed an impressive $80.4 million (₹693 crore) worldwide, earning the highest box office take for any Indian release so far this year. Combined with a steady performance from regional films, this has driven the total box office to ₹5,723 crore ($664.2 million), just ₹12 crore behind the January-June record from 2023.
Chhaava’s Telugu-dubbed version has drawn even more viewers, especially as Telugu cinema keeps building its global fanbase. Streaming sites like iBomma also offer ways for fans to watch from home.
Chhaava: A New Historical Hit
Directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Maddock Films, Chhaava brings to life the story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s fight against Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Vicky Kaushal takes the lead as Sambhaji, winning praise, especially in Maharashtra, where Sambhaji is held in high regard.
The film has won over crowds through action, strong drama, and a cast that includes Rashmika Mandanna as Yesubai, plus Akshaye Khanna, Ashutosh Rana, and Divya Dutta. Critics have noted some historical inaccuracies and a bold style, but that hasn’t slowed audience turnout.
Chhaava launched on 14 February 2025 and pulled in $19 million globally on its opening weekend, with $15 million coming from Indian cinemas. By its sixth day, global returns had reached $25 million, and after 41 days, the number stood at $85 million, $73 million of that from India alone, as reported by Sacnilk.
In India, Chhaava made ₹602.01 crore, becoming the third Bollywood film to cross the ₹600 crore mark after Jawan and Stree 2. Its Telugu-dubbed release on 7 March 2025 pushed the total up by ₹15.01 crore across 550 screens in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, moving ahead of Dhoom 3’s Telugu run and making it the fourth biggest Bollywood-dub film in Telugu, just behind Brahmastra.
Chhaava’s run isn’t defined by numbers alone. The film has gained recognition in several states: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Goa have made it tax-free to encourage more people to watch.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised its success at the 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, saying, “Maharashtra and Mumbai have lifted Hindi cinema with Marathi films, and Chhaava is trending widely.” Maharashtra Minister Aditi Sunil Tatkare held a special screening for legislators, showing its impact at a local level.
Streaming Options for Chhaava
For those unable to watch in cinemas, Chhaava will soon stream on Netflix, starting 11 April 2025, which is about 40 days after its cinema debut, fitting the usual schedule for Indian blockbusters.
Telugu-speaking audiences also have the option of iBomma, a site known for Telugu and dubbed films. While iBomma is popular for offering free content, users should be aware that it sits in a legal and security grey area.
To watch Chhaava on iBomma, users can search for the Telugu version and pick their preferred video quality, like 720p or 1080p. However, Netflix remains the official choice for a safer and better quality experience, with subscriptions granting access to Chhaava and many other titles.
The 14% growth in cinema revenue so far in 2025 highlights a strong and varied film market. Seventeen films crossed the ₹100 crore mark domestically, compared to ten in the same period last year. June alone brought in over ₹900 crore ($104.5 million), with Hindi titles like Sitaare Zameen Par ($23.3 million) and Housefull 5 ($23.2 million) setting the pace.
The Telugu film industry holds a 19% share, behind Hindi at 39%, but ahead of Tamil’s 17%, and on par with Malayalam and Hollywood, both at 10%. Key Telugu films such as Sankranthiki Vasthunam ($25.8 million), Game Changer ($17.8 million), and Daaku Maharaaj (₹91 crore) all helped boost these numbers, with Sankranthiki Vasthunam taking second place after Chhaava.
Analysts forecast a possible record year, with the box office potentially reaching ₹13,500 crore and toppling the previous high from 2022. The increased success of mid-budget titles and a return to genres like dramas and comedies have added to the massive takings of larger films. Tamil and Telugu films such as Dragon (₹102 crore) and Tourist Family (₹61 crore) are also drawing plenty of viewers, proving the audience’s appetite is broad.
Telugu Cinema Expands Worldwide
The Telugu film industry, or Tollywood, is reaching new audiences worldwide, supported by energetic action, strong storytelling, and a growing international appeal. Films such as Pushpa 2: The Rule (2024), which brought in over $200 million, and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), the first to clear ₹1,000 crore, have set benchmarks for Indian cinema.
This year, Sankranthiki Vasthunam and Game Changer have kept that trend going, with Sankranthiki Vasthunam earning blockbuster status at ₹187 crore in India. Chhaava’s success in Telugu reflects a broader strategy to bring films across language barriers and build nationwide fans.
Telugu films are also finding favour in countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, with the demand driven by South Asian communities and audiences willing to watch with subtitles.
Streaming has made Telugu titles more accessible through platforms like iBomma, Aha, and Netflix. Rashmika Mandanna’s recent roles, including Chhaava and Pushpa 2, have helped establish her as a pan-Indian star, with her last three projects grossing almost $400 million.
Chhaava has also faced its share of criticism. Rotten Tomatoes reported only a 36% approval rating, pointing to historical errors and a loud style. Despite this, viewer enthusiasm, especially among Hindi and Telugu audiences, has outweighed these reviews.
The film’s Telugu version started strong but saw interest drop after the opening weekend, highlighting the limits of dubbed releases when it comes to long-term sales.
Concerns about the impact of piracy continue, especially with the popularity of platforms like iBomma. While these sites give easy access, they can reduce cinema earnings. The industry faces the challenge of keeping films available to everyone while also protecting creative work and income.
Chhaava’s success in cinemas and online shows the strength and range of Indian film today. The 14% increase in 2025’s box office shows that audiences respond to both big set pieces and deep storytelling. Telugu cinema remains a huge draw, both at home and abroad. With the year looking set to break previous records, Indian film seems poised for another milestone year.
Breaking boundaries through cross-language releases and strong regional films, Chhaava stands as an example of how historical stories can attract audiences right across India and around the world.
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