BY CHRISTA LINCY

Raja Shivaji is currently showing a very solid hold as it finishes its first Tuesday at the box office. The film brought in 4.90 crore net on its fifth day, which is a manageable 12.5 percent drop from the 5.60 crore it collected on Monday. When a film sees such a low drop on a working weekday, it usually indicates that the word-of-mouth is working in its favor and the audience interest is not just limited to the opening weekend. By the end of day 5, the total India net collection has reached 44.40 crore, while the total gross collections have touched 52.68 crore. This performance comes across a total of 5,485 shows nationwide, showing that the film is sustaining its momentum quite well. If we look closer at how the collections are coming in from different languages, the Marathi version is clearly the star performer for this project. On Tuesday alone, it contributed 3.35 crore to the total. What stands out here is the efficiency of the screenings; the Marathi version achieved this from 1,851 shows with a strong occupancy of 33 percent. In contrast, the Hindi version had nearly double the show count with 3,634 shows but managed a net of 1.55 crore with an occupancy of 14 percent. This tells us that while the film has a massive reach in the Hindi belt, the Marathi screenings are much more packed and are currently driving the bulk of the revenue. Raja Shivaji is currently setting new benchmarks for Tuesday collections. Even though its predecessors were released strictly in Marathi, this film's multi-language strategy has helped it take a significant lead over past blockbusters during the work week. 1. Sairat: ₹3.47 Crore 2. Raja Shivaji (Marathi Net): ₹3.35 Crore 3. Ved: ₹2.65 Crore 4. Baipan Bhari Deva: ₹1.45 Crore As the rankings show, Raja Shivaji sits comfortably at the top five first Tuesday earnings. It is important to note that while Sairat, Ved and Baipan Bhari Deva achieved these numbers purely through Marathi screenings, Raja Shivaji has the advantage of a multi-language release. Despite that difference, the jump in collections highlights a massive growth in audience turnout for the industry. Coming to the performance in national cinema chains like PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, the film is performing steadily during the week. Raja Shivaji sold a total of 26,000 tickets across these major chains on Tuesday. Breaking this down, PVR sold 13,000 tickets, INOX contributed 9,000 tickets, and Cinepolis added another 4,000 tickets to the tally. Together, these sales resulted in a gross collection of 57 lakh from 1,800 shows across 490 venues. The overall occupancy in these premium chains was noted at 6.70 percent, which is a standard result for a mid-week afternoon and evening schedule. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The digital booking trend on BookMyShow also gives us a great look at how the daily interest is moving. Including the initial 217k tickets from pre-sales, the total ticket sales on the platform have now reached 12,47,560. The peak interest was seen on Saturday with 283.01k tickets sold, followed by 274.79k on Friday and 223.16k on Sunday. The weekday interest remains visible as well, with 137.78k tickets sold on Monday and 111.49k on Tuesday. This consistent flow of bookings suggests that the film is building a long-term run rather than fading away after the initial rush. In terms of historical rankings, Raja Shivaji is quickly moving up the ladder of Marathi cinema success. With a current net of 44.40 crore, it has already secured its place as the 4th highest-grossing Marathi film in India. It has managed to surpass several major Blockbusters like Dharmaveer which earned 29 crore in 2022 and Krantijyoti Vidyalay Marathi Madhyam which stood at 30 crore earlier this year. It has also overtaken the worldwide collection of Lai Bhaari which was at 40.00 crore and is currently breathing down the neck of Pawankhind which finished its run at 45 crore. The road ahead now puts Raja Shivaji in direct competition with the all-time top three Marathi grossers. It is currently trailing behind Sairat which leads the list with 80.98 crore, Baipan Bhari Deva at 76.28 crore, and Ved which stands at 61.20 crore. Given the current trajectory and the steady occupancy in its home market, it will be interesting to see how close it can get to these records. For now, the film is comfortably on track to cross the 50 crore mark in the coming days, making it one of the most successful releases for the industry in recent years.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 5 - The haunting world of Tumbbad is set to expand in a big way, and this time, it comes with the addition of one of Bollywood's most bankable stars. Alia Bhatt has reportedly joined the cast of Tumbbad 2, and the development has already sparked massive excitement among fans of the cult horror franchise. According to the report by Pinkvilla, Alia has already begun shooting for the film. While her schedule is reportedly limited to around 20 days, her character is said to play a crucial role and will bring a major twist in the finale. The character is said to be deeply woven into the narrative and will play a crucial part in shaping the story's progression. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The sequel to the critically acclaimed Tumbbad is expected to take the mythology forward, diving deeper into the dark and cursed universe that captivated audiences the first time around. With Sohum Shah returning to lead the project along with Nawazuddin Siddiqui, the film is being mounted on a much larger scale, both in terms of storytelling and visual ambition. Alia Bhatt's entry is particularly significant because her character is believed to be central to the film's larger arc. Rather than a brief cameo, she is said to be playing a powerful and layered role that could potentially connect the sequel to a larger cinematic vision. Reports say that her character may even set the stage for a third instalment, making her an integral part of the franchise's future. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Known for her versatility and strong screen presence, Alia brings a new dimension to the eerie and atmospheric world of Tumbbad. Her involvement also indicates that the sequel will not just rely on its cult legacy but aims to elevate the storytelling to a wider audience. Tumbbad 2 is currently in production and is slated to release in December 2027.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Chennai, May 5 - Thalapathy Vijay has delivered a historic and blockbuster political debut, completely reshaping the landscape of Tamil Nadu politics. His party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has emerged as the single-largest force in the 2026 Assembly elections, winning 108 seats and challenging decades of dominance by established parties. Adding to the impact, Vijay himself registered massive victories in both Perambur and Trichy East constituencies, cementing his position as a serious political leader from day one. His debut has widely been described as a blockbuster moment - an apt word for a superstar who has seamlessly transitioned from cinema to politics without any fuss. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) This political triumph has now directly amplified the hype around his upcoming and last film Jana Nayagan, which is slated to release later this month. The timing couldn't be more perfect. The film's title, meaning People's Leader, now mirrors Vijay's current image in real life, turning the project into more than just a movie - it's becoming a cultural event. Trade circles believe that Vijay's sweeping electoral success has elevated Jana Nayagan into a symbolic extension of his political journey. Audiences are no longer just waiting for a film; they are anticipating a reflection of the leader he is emerging as. The overlap between his on-screen persona and real-world political rise has created unprecedented curiosity. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Directed by H Vinoth, Jana Nayagan was supposed to be released in January this year, but it was forced to be delayed due to censorship issues. Adding to the woes, the film was leaked online recently, leaving makers worried about its business. But with a historical electoral victory for Vijay, the delay might be a blessing in disguise for Jana Nayagan amid renewed enthusiasm among the fans. As said, Jana Nayagan is Thalapathy Vijay's last film, which he had already confirmed during the music launch event of the film. The actor turned politician has now committed to fully focus on politics. While his party fell short of an absolute majority, Vijay is expected to become the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu with the support of other parties.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 5 - Akshay Kumar's horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla continues its impressive theatrical run, achieving a major milestone at the Indian box office. The film has now overtaken OMG 2 to become the actor's third-highest-grossing film in the post-pandemic era. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film has grossed approximately 228 crore worldwide in 18 days, allowing it to surpass OMG 2 and claim the third position in Akshay Kumar's post-pandemic box office chart. In India, Bhooth Bangla has minted approximately 171.30 crores gross (144.25 crore net), while overseas collection stands at an estimated 56.50 crores so far. This achievement underlines the film's steady performance not just in India, but also in overseas markets where it has found a consistent audience. Akshay Kumar's box office journey in the post-pandemic era has seen its share of ups and downs, but the superstar continues to deliver notable performances at the global box office, including Bhooth Bangla, which has emerged as a strong success story. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Akshay Kumar’s Top 5 Films Post-Pandemic (Worldwide) S. No. Movie Worldwide Gross 1 Sooryavanshi ₹ 293 Cr 2 Housefull 5 ₹ 288.65 Cr 3 Bhooth Bangla ₹ 228 Cr 4 OMG 2 ₹ 221.75 Cr 5 Jolly LLB 3 ₹ 171.65 Cr As of May 4, 2026. Leading the Akshay Kumar's post-pandemic list is director Rohit Shetty's cop drama Sooryavanshi, which remains Akshay Kumar's biggest post-pandemic grosser with 293 crore worldwide. Close behind is the comedy franchise film Housefull 5, followed by Bhooth Bangla, social comedy drama Oh My God 2, and courtroom comedy drama Jolly LLB 3 among the top 5 grossers. The success of Bhooth Bangla is particularly significant as it marks a strong comeback for Akshay Kumar in the commercial space. The horror-comedy genre, combined with his signature comic timing, has resonated well with audiences, helping the film maintain a solid run at the box office.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Patriot recorded a net collection of 1.70 crore on its first Monday in India. For a film featuring two major legends, this number is relatively low and suggests that the star power is not translating into a strong weekday hold. This takes the total India net collection to 23.35 crore, while the domestic gross stands at 27.09 crore after the first four days of release. The film operated with an average occupancy of 19 percent on Monday across a total of 1,781 shows. While this occupancy percentage might seem decent, the low daily collection reveals that the film is mostly playing in smaller centers or lower-priced screens. Across its entire run so far, the movie has been played across 9,020 shows, but the inability to cross the 2 crore mark on a Monday for a project of this scale is a point of concern. Ticket sales on BookMyShow also show a significant cooling period. The film sold 41.18K tickets on Monday, which is a sharp drop from its pre-sales and opening day figures. Since its release, the platform has recorded over 8.46 lakh tickets in total. The steady decline from a strong 250K on Friday to just 41K on Monday indicates that the initial curiosity has settled quite quickly. Here is the detailed breakdown of the ticket sales trend so far: Patriot Ticket Sales Breakdown (BookMyShow)PHASE/DAYTICKETS SOLDPre Sales333.18KFriday (Day 1)250.74KSaturday (Day 2)125.08KSunday (Day 3)95.92KMonday (Day 4)41.18KTOTAL846,100 (8.46 Lakh) (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The performance in the national chains further highlights the struggle in urban markets. Across PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, the movie managed to sell roughly 6,490 tickets on Monday from 628 shows, resulting in a gross of around 14.25 lakh. PVR was the biggest contributor with nearly 3,930 tickets from 280 shows. INOX and Cinepolis followed with approximately 1,340 tickets from 159 shows and 1,220 tickets from 189 shows, respectively. With an average occupancy of just 5.41 percent in these national chains, the film is essentially playing to very few people in high-end multiplexes, which is a disappointing trend for a big-budget release. On the international front, the film is finding better support. It added 2 crore from overseas markets on Monday, taking its total international gross to 40.50 crore. According to data from Venky Box Office, the North America market has contributed a total of approximately 2.80 crore ($334K) so far, with Saturday alone bringing in around 1.20 crore ($144K). This international revenue has been crucial in pushing the worldwide gross collection to 67.59 crore. While the global numbers look more respectable, the film needs a much stronger performance in the domestic market if it wants to improve its final standing. Looking ahead, Patriot will need to maintain a steady run over the rest of the week. With a total India net of 23.35 crore, it is clear that the movie is facing stiff competition and is not quite reaching the heights expected from its legendary cast. The coming days will show if it can hold its current levels or if the collections will continue to slide as it faces more competition in the coming weeks.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 5 - In what could turn out to be one of Bollywood's most exciting reunions, Kareena Kapoor Khan is reportedly in advanced talks to star opposite Salman Khan in an upcoming superhero film directed by Raj & DK. The film, produced by Atul Agnihotri and Mythri Movie Makers, marks Salman Khan's first full-fledged entry into the superhero genre, making it a highly anticipated project. According to Variety India's report, Kareena has emerged as the frontrunner for the female lead, with discussions at an advanced stage. This project will reunite Salman and Kareena after more than a decade. The duo was last seen together in the blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and has previously shared screen space in films like Bodyguard, Main Aur Mrs Khanna, and Kyon Ki.... Their on-screen chemistry has always been a fan favourite, making this potential comeback even more exciting. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) What We Know About The Film While the official announcement of the film is yet to be made, the yet-untitled project is being described as a high-concept superhero action entertainer, blending Raj & DK's signature storytelling style with Salman Khan's mass appeal. The project has already generated massive buzz, bringing together one of Bollywood's biggest stars with the creators of acclaimed shows like The Family Man. The film will present Salman Khan in a never-seen-before avatar as he steps into the role of an ageing superhero, who's drawn back into action by circumstances beyond his control, eventually leading him into a larger conflict. Interestingly, Kareena wasn't the initial choice for the role. Earlier, reports suggested that Samantha Ruth Prabhu was being considered, but Kareena has now taken the lead in the casting race. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Shoot Timeline Revealed As per the report, the film is expected to go on floors around October–November 2026, once Salman Khan wraps up his current commitments. The makers are reportedly eyeing a 2027 theatrical release, positioning it as a major tentpole project. A Salman–Kareena pairing has historically delivered both commercial success and strong audience recall. Bringing them together in a superhero film, combined with Raj & DK's fresh creative vision, could result in something truly unique for Hindi cinema.