BY CHRISTA LINCY

Raja Shivaji has just completed its first Monday, and the results are quite extraordinary for the Marathi film industry. It has officially recorded the biggest Monday ever for any Marathi film, collecting 5.60 crore net on its fourth day. This performance solidifies its position as a major powerhouse at the box office, continuing the momentum it built over a record-breaking weekend. While the numbers show a 53.3 percent drop compared to the massive 12.00 crore haul on Sunday, this is actually a very steady hold for a working day. To put this in perspective, collecting over 5 crore on a Monday across 5,145 shows is a feat rarely seen in regional cinema. This successful Monday push brings the total India net collection to 39.50 crore, while the total India gross has reached 46.95 crore within just four days of its release. Comparing these figures with past records shows a clear gap between this release and previous hits. Raja Shivaji has recorded the highest first Monday for a Marathi film, nearly doubling the numbers of the previous record holder. Below is the list of the top 5 Marathi films based on their first Monday net collections in India. Raja Shivaji: ₹5.60 Cr Ved: ₹3.02 Cr Dharmaveer: ₹1.65 Cr Pawankhind: ₹1.43 Cr Navra Maza Navsacha 2: ₹1.20 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The ticket sales data further highlights the films dominance in the market. On BookMyShow alone, the movie has crossed the milestone of 1.1 million tickets sold. Even on Monday, it managed to sell 137.78K tickets on the platform, indicating that the interest level remains high among the general audience. This consistent demand suggests that the movie is benefiting from strong word-of-mouth and is not just a weekend wonder. Pre Sales: 217.33K Friday (Day 1): 274.79K Saturday (Day 2): 283.01K Sunday (Day 3): 223.16K Monday (Day 4): 137.78K TOTAL: 11,36,070 (1.13 Million) A look at the national chains shows that Raja Shivaji is currently leading the charts by a significant margin. It is the top movie by tickets sold across PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, outperforming all other major releases. On Monday alone, the film managed to sell 22,215 tickets across these three major multiplex chains, resulting in a gross collection of 61.48 lakh. This performance placed it at the very top of the list, even while competing with various other titles across a combined 1,786 shows and 488 venues. To give you a clearer picture of its dominance, the film easily outpaced several other notable releases in the national chains. It sold significantly more tickets than Michael, which stood at 14,258 tickets, and the Hollywood sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2, which followed with 12,500 tickets. Other films like Kara, Bhooth Bangla, and Patriot were far behind in the daily sales ranking. Even with a high volume of shows, Raja Shivaji maintained its lead, proving that the audience's preference is heavily tilted towards this Marathi epic right now. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The breakdown across the individual chains is also quite impressive. In PVR, it recorded 9,900 ticket sales with a gross of 26.50 lakh, while INOX contributed 7,600 tickets worth 21.20 lakh. Cinepolis added another 4,800 tickets to the total. This strong footprint in the premium multiplex segment across nearly 500 venues shows that the movie is successfully attracting audiences beyond traditional single-screen theaters, which is a great sign for its long-term box office health. By the end of its first weekend itself, the film had already surpassed the records of previous Marathi blockbusters. With a massive 23 crore opening weekend net, it moved past successful titles like Ved, which held a 10 crore opening, and Dharmaveer, which stood at 9 crore. This effectively makes it the number one Marathi movie of all time when looking at opening weekend metrics. The sheer scale of this opening is unprecedented for the Marathi industry, as it has more than doubled the previous weekend records, establishing a new benchmark for the regional box office. Top Marathi Movies - Opening Weekend Net CollectionMOVIE NAME1ST WEEKEND NETRaja Shivaji (2026)₹ 23 CrVed (2022)₹ 10 CrDharmaveer (2022)₹ 9 CrNavra Maza Navsacha 2 (2024)₹ 8 CrDharmaveer 2 (2024)₹ 7 Cr The films success is fairly distributed across languages as well, though the Marathi version remains the primary driver. On Monday, the Marathi version contributed 4.25 crore with an impressive 42 percent occupancy, while the Hindi version added 1.35 crore. Given the current trend, Raja Shivaji is on a historic trajectory and is expected to set a new benchmark for the highest lifetime collection in Marathi cinema history.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 4 - The much-awaited sequel to 3 Idiots is gaining serious momentum, and the latest update has only heightened excitement among fans. If reports are to be believed, Vicky Kaushal has emerged as the front-runner to play the fourth idiot in the upcoming film. The sequel is expected to reunite the original trio - Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi - continuing the legacy of one of Bollywood's most iconic films. According to Pinkvilla, Vicky Kaushal is in advanced discussions and has shown a strong interest in the script. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The actor is said to be excited about collaborating once again with Rajkumar Hirani after working with him on films like Sanju and Dunki. If finalised, Kaushal's character will mark a significant addition to the franchise, expanding the story beyond the original trio. As said, the 3 Idiots sequel will bring back the beloved characters that made the original film a cultural phenomenon. Aamir Khan has already confirmed that the film is in the works and hinted that the story will be set 10 years after the first film, retaining the original's humour while exploring a new and unusual direction. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Released in 2009, 3 Idiots was not just a box office blockbuster but also a socially impactful film that resonated deeply with audiences for its take on India's education system with a lot of heart and humour. The sequel aims to build on that legacy while introducing new elements and characters. While the film is still in the scripting stage, reports suggest that the makers are carefully crafting a story that justifies the addition of a fourth lead rather than simply extending the original narrative. The team is taking its time to write the screenplay that lives up to the legacy of 3 Idiots, with the second instalment expected to go on floors in the second half of 2027.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 4 - Bollywood actress Kiara Advani recently found herself at the centre of viral speculation surrounding her upcoming film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. Reports began circulating that she was uncomfortable with certain bold and intimate scenes in the film, which features Yash in the lead role. The rumours further claimed that the actress had asked the makers to tone down or remove some of these sequences. In some versions of the story, it was even suggested that she had concerns after watching parts of the film and wanted changes before release. With the film already generating strong buzz, these claims quickly spread across social media. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Kiara Advani Reacts Putting an end to the speculation, Kiara Advani responded strongly and dismissed all such reports. The actress termed the claims "absolute nonsense," making it clear that there is no truth to the rumours. Her clarification confirms that she has not requested any cuts or modifications in the film and that the reports doing the rounds are entirely baseless. Despite the noise online, there is essentially no issue between the actress and the makers of Toxic. The entire situation appears to have been driven by unverified gossip that escalated without any official confirmation. Given the scale and anticipation surrounding Toxic, such rumours gained traction quickly, but Kiara's response has now brought clarity to the situation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) What's Next For Toxic? Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film is one of the most awaited projects and stars Yash in a lead role. It is expected to explore darker themes and present a unique cinematic experience. The film was scheduled to release on June 4, but the makers have pushed the film further after feedback from the international media. With the rumours now firmly addressed, the focus is likely to shift back to the film’s progress and eventual release rather than off-screen speculation.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

After defying the standard theatrical decline with a rare second-week box office surge, the Malayalam dark comedy-thriller Bharathanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam is now transitioning to its global digital premiere. Known for its sharp situational humor and suspenseful narrative, the sequel proved to be a major commercial success, maintaining strong momentum even against heavy competition during its theatrical run. Where and when to stream Bharathanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam on OTT? Netflix has officially secured the digital streaming rights for this dark comedy sequel. The makers have confirmed that Bharathanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam will be available for streaming starting May 8. Given the global reach of the platform, the film is expected to premiere in its original Malayalam version with subtitles, and potentially dubbed versions in other South Indian languages. This May 8 release marks a standard theatrical-to-digital window, allowing global audiences to witness the chaotic world of the characters on their home screens. What is the story of Bharathanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam? The sequel continues the story of Sasi (Saiju Kurup) and his extended family, who now find themselves facing a precarious situation. The plot centers on blackmail from Govindaraja (Suraj Venjaramoodu), an associate of their late patriarch who threatens to expose that their family temple is founded on a fraud. The narrative takes a dark turn when Sasi’s mother accidentally kills the blackmailer during a confrontation. This shifts the film into a chaotic cover-up mission involving a local butcher and a rapper to dispose of the body while staying ahead of a suspicious police officer. The story masterfully blends suspense with the franchise's signature situational humor, culminating in a heist of the very temple that caused their crisis. On the commercial front, Bharathanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam exhibited an extraordinary box office trajectory. Unlike most films that peak in their first week, this movie saw a significant jump in its second week due to strong word-of-mouth. By the end of its 21-day run, the film secured a worldwide gross of 38.73 crore. Domestic performance was particularly strong with an India gross of 28.23 crore, while the overseas market contributed a healthy 10.50 crore. The audience engagement was further reflected on BookMyShow, where the film recorded a total of 883.05K tickets sold throughout its theatrical run. The film showed exceptional legs at the box office, with its second-week earnings surpassing the opening week, a rare feat that highlights its blockbuster status: Week 1 Collection: ₹6.75 Cr Week 2 Collection: ₹9.26 Cr Week 3 Collection: ₹7.16 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Bharathanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam: Total Box Office Collection (As of Day 24) CATEGORY COLLECTION (INR) India Net Collection ₹ 24.38 Cr India Gross Collection ₹ 28.23 Cr Overseas Collection ₹ 10.50 Cr Worldwide Total Gross ₹ 38.73 Cr Bharathanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is Bharathanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam a hit or a flop? Bharathanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam is a Super Hit. The film showed a rare upward trend in its second week and has grossed nearly ₹39 Cr worldwide on a controlled budget. Where to stream Bharathanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam on OTT? The film will be available for streaming exclusively on Netflix from May 8. Who are the lead actors in the film? The film features Saiju Kurup and Suraj Venjaramoodu in pivotal roles, continuing the comedic and thrilling legacy of the first part. What is the OTT release date for Bharathanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam? The film is scheduled to premiere on OTT on May 8, exactly four weeks after its theatrical debut.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Following a notable theatrical run led by Adivi Sesh, the intense action-thriller Dacoit is officially transitioning to its digital phase. Known for his streak of successful thrillers, Adivi Sesh has once again managed to draw a significant audience to the theaters. The film showcased his signature style of storytelling, blending high-stakes action with a gripping narrative that kept the audience engaged across its multi-week run. Where and when to stream Dacoit on OTT? The makers have confirmed that Dacoit will make its digital premiere after concluding a successful theatrical window of nearly four weeks. Dacoit is scheduled to start streaming on Prime Video from May 8. In a move to reach a wider audience across India, the streaming giant will premiere the film in its original Telugu version along with dubbed versions in Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. This digital release on May 8 provides a perfect opportunity for home viewers to experience the film's intense action and Adivi Sesh's performance. What is the story of Dacoit? Dacoit is a noir-inspired romantic action drama that marks a departure from standard genre tropes. The narrative centers on two former lovers, played by Adivi Sesh and Shanvi Srivastava, whose lives violently converge during a high-stakes heist. Years after their bitter separation, the pair find themselves on opposing sides of a daring robbery, forced to navigate a treacherous criminal underworld while confronting the unresolved betrayals of their shared past. The film focuses on modern-day outcasts operating within a morally grey landscape, effectively blending explosive action with a soulful yet volatile romance. True to Sesh's reputation for selecting unconventional scripts, the film received praise for its technical polish and its ability to balance emotional intensity with grounded action sequences. Regarding its commercial performance, Dacoit saw a steady but mixed run at the box office. By the end of its 24-day theatrical cycle, the film secured a worldwide gross of ₹55.57 crore. While it managed to overtake the lifetime worldwide collections of Adivi Sesh's previous film, HIT: The Second Case (₹42.08 crore), it still fell short of its reported ₹65 crore production budget. The international performance also showed limited reach; despite a 1.16 million dollar closing gross in North America, the film faced minor losses there, and its GCC collections were approximately to be under ₹4 crore. Total audience engagement reflected 794,870 tickets sold on BookMyShow, illustrating that while the film found a loyal audience, it didn't quite achieve the blockbuster status needed to fully recover its theatrical costs. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film's theatrical run was heavily front-loaded, with the majority of its earnings coming from the opening week before seeing a sharp decline, as shown in the week-wise breakdown below: Week 1 Collection: ₹28.45 Cr Week 2 Collection: ₹5.67 Cr Week 3 Collection: ₹1.84 Cr Dacoit: 24 Days Total Box Office Collection CATEGORY COLLECTION (INR) India Net Collection ₹ 36.19 Cr India Gross Collection ₹ 41.99 Cr Overseas Collection ₹ 13.58 Cr Worldwide Total Gross ₹ 55.57 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Dacoit: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is Dacoit a hit or a flop? Dacoit is a Commercial Success. While it has become one of Adivi Sesh's highest grossers with over ₹55.57 Cr worldwide and has surpassed *HIT 2*, it is still working toward recovering its reported ₹65 Cr budget through non-theatrical and OTT rights. Where to stream Dacoit on OTT? The film will be available for streaming exclusively on Prime Video in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam versions. Who is the lead actor in Dacoit? The film stars Adivi Sesh, who is widely known for his successful thriller franchise films and grounded action dramas. What is the OTT release date for Dacoit? The confirmed OTT release date for Dacoit is May 8, which follows a four-week theatrical window from its release.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The opening weekend numbers for movies released on May 1 show Raja Shivaji leading the domestic market with a 33.90 crore net collection. While the Marathi biopic found strong footing in India, Patriot focused its success overseas, grossing 38.50 crore internationally despite a downward trend in domestic shows. Along with The Devil Wears Prada 2, which held steady in premium multiplexes, the weekend data highlights a concentrated audience interest in big-ticket regional and international content over smaller releases like Ek Din and Jetlee. May 1 New Releases: Opening Weekend (3-Day) Box Office SnapshotMOVIE NAMEINDIA NET COLLECTIONWORLDWIDE GROSSTOTAL SHOWSRaja Shivaji₹ 33.90 Cr₹ 40.34 Cr18,238Patriot₹ 21.65 Cr₹ 63.61 Cr7,239The Devil Wears Prada 2₹ 13.35 Cr₹ 2,215.00 Cr5,592Ek Din₹ 3.85 Cr₹ 3.65 Cr5,216Jetlee₹ 2.45 Cr₹ 3.69 Cr2,661 Raja Shivaji has undeniably stolen the show domestically, recording the highest opening weekend among the new releases. With an India net of 33.90 crore, it benefited from massive show counts and strong regional loyalty. Looking at the BookMyShow data, the film sold nearly 1 million tickets in its opening weekend, with a total of 998,290 bookings. The national multiplex chains (PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis) played a significant role, contributing 222,406 tickets across the three days. Interestingly, Sunday saw a strong recovery in these chains with 82,028 tickets sold, surpassing the opening Friday numbers of 81,866, indicating healthy word-of-mouth in urban centers. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In contrast, the Malayalam release Patriot tells a story of two different markets. In India, the film started with a promising 10 crore on Friday but struggled to sustain that momentum, dropping to 5.50 crore by Sunday. This 10.6 percent dip from Saturday suggests that the initial buzz was driven by fan excitement rather than general audience growth. However, its overseas performance is where the film truly shines. It grossed 38.50 crore internationally in just three days, which is significantly higher than its total India gross of 25.11 crore. In North America specifically, it delivered a total weekend gross of 334 thousand dollars, making it the third-biggest opening for a Malayalam film in that region. The Hollywood entrant, The Devil Wears Prada 2, maintained a very steady profile throughout the weekend. After an opening day net of 3.80 crore (including pre-sales bringing the first day total to 5.50 crore), it saw a 5.3 percent growth on Saturday with 4.00 crore. While Sunday saw a minor 3.7 percent dip to 3.85 crore, the film's national chain presence remained robust. It sold over 150,000 tickets across PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis over the three days, proving that urban multiplex audiences were consistently interested. On BookMyShow alone, it trended with over 36,180 tickets booked in a single 24-hour period on Sunday. Ek Din followed a volatile path during its opening weekend, struggling to find a consistent audience despite a late-weekend surge. The film opened on Friday with a net collection of 1.15 crore across 1,961 shows, supported by 9,559 ticket sales in national chains like PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis. Saturday saw a 13 percent drop as collections dipped to 1.00 crore, while ticket sales in these premium chains fell significantly to 6,339. However, the film managed a notable recovery on Sunday, netting 1.70 crore across 1,490 shows with a recorded occupancy of 14.4 percent. While the Sunday performance provided a much-needed bounce-back, the national chain ticket sales only rose slightly to 7,240, indicating that the bulk of the Sunday growth came from single screens or non-national multiplexes. With a total India net collection of 3.85 crore and a modest overseas gross of 0.25 crore, the film's worldwide gross stands at 3.65 crore, suggesting it may struggle to maintain its screen count in the coming week. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Jetlee faced a challenging opening weekend, beginning its run with a net collection of 1.10 crore on Friday. Despite operating across 893 shows, the film struggled to build momentum in the premium national chains, selling only 4,151 tickets on the first day. This downward trend intensified on Saturday, where collections dropped by 27.3 percent to reach 0.80 crore. By Sunday, the film saw another significant decline of 31.3 percent, netting just 0.55 crore. Interestingly, while digital platforms recorded a surge of over 58,000 tickets for Sunday, the actual theatrical turnout in national chains was at its lowest, with only 1,599 tickets sold across PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis. This disconnect between digital bookings and ground-level footfalls resulted in a domestic weekend total of 2.45 crore net. When combined with an overseas gross of 0.85 crore, Jetlee ends its first three days with a worldwide gross collection of 3.69 crore, a figure that places it at the bottom of the weekend major releases. National Chain Ticket Sales : Raja Shivaji: 222,406 Total Tickets | Friday: 81,866 | Saturday: 58,512 | Sunday: 82,028 The Devil Wears Prada 2: 154,878 Total Tickets | Friday: 49,328 | Saturday: 53,127 | Sunday: 52,423 Patriot: 126,107 Total Tickets | Friday: 54,814 | Saturday: 38,980 | Sunday: 32,313 Ek Din: 23,138 Total Tickets | Friday: 9,559 | Saturday: 6,339 | Sunday: 7,240 Jetlee: 7,907 Total Tickets | Friday: 4,151 | Saturday: 2,157 | Sunday: 1,599 Raja Shivaji has undeniably stolen the show domestically... Overall, Raja Shivaji is setting new benchmarks for Marathi cinema, while Patriot highlights the growing power of the Malayalam diaspora in global box office tallies. The Devil Wears Prada 2 remains a reliable option for urban viewers, but for Ek Din and Jetlee, the road ahead looks difficult as show counts are likely to be redistributed to the better-performing regional titles in the coming week.