Raid movie box office collection

 

Raid Franchise Box Office Performance Analysis

I. Introduction: The Raid Franchise - Context and Commercial Significance

A. Overview

The Raid film series, directed by Raj Kumar Gupta and headlined by Ajay Devgn, has carved a niche within the Bollywood crime thriller genre. The franchise centers on the character of Amay Patnaik, a dedicated and incorruptible Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer known for his meticulous and high-stakes income tax raids. The first installment, Raid, was released in 2018, followed by its sequel, Raid 2, in 2025.¹ Both films feature Ajay Devgn reprising his role, supported by different ensemble casts in each installment.¹

B. Premise & Genre

Positioned as crime thrillers, the Raid films draw inspiration from real-life income tax raids conducted in India, lending them a layer of grounded realism.⁶ Raid (2018) depicted a fearless officer conducting a raid on the mansion of a powerful figure in Lucknow.⁷ Raid 2 continues this theme, reportedly set seven years later, with Amay Patnaik targeting another influential politician after having seized substantial illicit wealth in his previous operations.⁶ The narrative focus on procedural detail, tension during the raids, and the confrontation between the upright officer and corrupt powerful entities defines the series' core appeal.

C. Scope of Analysis

This report provides a detailed analysis of the box office performance of both Raid (2018) and Raid 2 (2025), based on available financial data and industry reports. It examines key metrics including production budgets, domestic (India) and international collections, worldwide gross figures, and commercial verdicts. Furthermore, the analysis compares the performance of the two films, contextualizes Raid 2's initial trajectory within Ajay Devgn's recent filmography and the broader 2025 market landscape, and explores the factors influencing their financial outcomes.

II. Raid (2018): Establishing the Benchmark - A Financial Breakdown

A. Budget and Production

The production budget for Raid (2018) is frequently cited within a relatively modest range for a star-driven Bollywood film. Several sources place the budget at ₹40 crore ¹ or ₹35 crore.⁴ While outlier figures like ₹48 crore ¹¹ and even ₹72 crore ¹² appear in isolated reports, the consensus leans heavily towards the ₹35-40 crore mark. This lower budget figure is significant, as it established a favorable baseline for profitability. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, the film starred Ajay Devgn alongside Ileana D'Cruz and Saurabh Shukla in prominent roles.¹ The widely accepted budget range underscores that the film wasn't positioned as a mega-budget spectacle, making its subsequent box office success even more noteworthy and setting the stage for a strong return on investment.

B. Domestic Box Office Performance (India)

Raid opened solidly at the Indian box office upon its release on March 16, 2018.

• Opening: The film registered a Day 1 Nett collection of ₹10.04 crore.³ It showed strong growth over its first weekend, accumulating a Nett total of ₹41.01 crore.¹ This initial performance indicated positive audience reception.
• Weekly Trends: The momentum continued through the first week, which closed with a Nett collection of ₹63.05 crore.¹⁴ As is typical, collections saw week-on-week declines thereafter: Week 2 garnered ₹27.06 crore (a drop of 57%), Week 3 added ₹9.60 crore (a further 65% drop), and subsequent weeks saw diminishing returns.¹⁰ This trajectory reflects a standard decay curve after the initial strong run, sustained by positive word-of-mouth.
• Lifetime Collections: Raid concluded its domestic run with a lifetime India Nett collection of ₹103.07 crore.¹⁰ This comfortably surpassed the coveted ₹100 crore Nett mark, signifying significant commercial success in the Indian market.¹ The corresponding India Gross collection stood at ₹132.14 crore.¹⁰ Key territories contributing to its success included the Mumbai circuit (₹34.55 crore) and the Delhi-U.P. region (₹21.22 crore).¹⁵

C. International Box Office Performance (Overseas)

Beyond the domestic market, Raid also performed respectably overseas. The total Overseas Gross collection reported is ₹21.48 crore, which translates to approximately $3.30 million USD.¹⁵ The film garnered $1.80 million USD in its opening weekend internationally.¹⁵ Key markets included the USA and Canada, contributing over $1 million USD ⁷, the Gulf region (opening weekend $620,000) ¹², the United Arab Emirates ($640,918 lifetime) ¹⁹, and Australia ($184,839 lifetime).¹²

D. Worldwide Gross Collection

Combining its domestic and international earnings, Raid achieved a substantial global haul. The final Worldwide Gross collection is consistently reported around the ₹154 crore mark, with figures cited as ₹153.62 crore ¹ and ₹154.19 crore.⁴ Data from international trackers like Box Office Mojo and IMDb also align with this range, reporting a worldwide gross of approximately $15.7 million USD.⁷

E. Verdict and Profitability

Given its strong collections against a modest budget, Raid (2018) was declared a commercial success. Box office verdicts range from Hit ¹² to Super-Hit.¹⁰ Earning nearly four times its production cost (approximately ₹154 crore worldwide against a ₹35-40 crore budget), the film delivered a significant return on investment.¹ This impressive financial performance, coupled with positive critical reception ¹, demonstrated strong audience appetite for this style of grounded crime thriller led by Ajay Devgn. The substantial profitability and market acceptance achieved by Raid were key factors that undoubtedly established its potential as a franchise and justified the development of a sequel, setting a high benchmark for Raid 2.

Table 1: Raid (2018) - Final Box Office Summary

Metric	Amount (INR)	Amount (USD)	Source Notes
Budget (Consensus)	₹35 - 40 crore	~$4.7 million	1
India Nett Collection	₹103.07 crore	-	10
India Gross Collection	₹132.14 crore	-	10
Overseas Gross	₹21.48 crore	~$3.30 million	15
Worldwide Gross	~₹154 crore	~$18 million	1
Verdict	Hit / Super-Hit	-	10

Note: USD conversions are approximate based on figures provided in snippets or typical exchange rates for the period.

III. Raid 2 (2025): Initial Box Office Trajectory and Analysis

A. Budget Uncertainty

A significant point of ambiguity surrounding Raid 2 is its production budget. Reports present starkly contrasting figures. Some sources suggest a budget similar to or slightly higher than the original, citing approximately ₹40 crore ² or ₹40-50 crore.²⁰ However, at least one major report claims a much higher budget of ₹120 crore, specifying that this figure is inclusive of print and advertising (P&A) costs.⁴

This discrepancy carries substantial implications for assessing the film's financial prospects. A ₹40 crore budget would mean the film recovered a large portion (reportedly 80%) of its cost within the first two days of release, based on its initial collections.² Conversely, a ₹120 crore budget sets a significantly higher break-even point, requiring a sustained and strong theatrical run to achieve profitability. The lower figures might represent only the cost of production, while the higher figure potentially offers a more comprehensive view of the total investment including substantial marketing expenses often associated with sequels featuring major stars. Without official confirmation, determining the film's actual profitability remains speculative, and the narrative shifts dramatically depending on which budget figure is accurate – from near-instant recovery to needing considerable box office legs.

B. Opening Day Performance (Day 1 - Thursday, May 1, 2025 - Labour Day Holiday)

Raid 2 debuted in theatres on May 1, 2025, coinciding with the Labour Day public holiday, which provided a significant boost to its opening day collections.³ The film registered a strong start at the Indian box office:

• India Collections: The Day 1 India Nett collection figures vary slightly across sources but converge in the higher range: ₹19.71 crore (cited by makers/Bollywood Hungama) ², ₹19.25 crore (Sacnilk/Indian Express/Hindustan Times estimate) ⁴, and ₹18.25 crore (The Hindu/Business Today estimate).⁶ An early estimate also mentioned ~₹18 crore.²⁷ The Day 1 India Gross collection was reported as ₹22.75 crore ¹⁷ or ₹23.25 crore ¹³ or ₹23.75 crore.²³
• Worldwide Opening: Reports on Day 1 Overseas Gross show a discrepancy, with figures of ₹3 crore ¹⁷ and ₹0.67 crore ($0.08M USD) ²³ mentioned. Consequently, the Day 1 Worldwide Gross is reported as ₹25.75 crore ² or ₹24.42 crore.²³
• Context: The strong opening was fueled not only by the holiday but also by healthy advance bookings, which reportedly reached ₹4.3 crore (excluding blocked seats) or ₹7.2 crore (including blocked seats) prior to release.³ Initial Hindi occupancy was high, reported at 34.36% overall for the day, with night shows showing particularly strong turnout.⁶

C. Second Day Performance (Day 2 - Friday, May 2, 2025)

Following the robust holiday opening, Raid 2 experienced a noticeable drop in collections on its second day, a regular working Friday.¹³

• Collections and Drop: The Day 2 India Nett collection was estimated at approximately ₹11.75 crore ², ₹12.15 crore ²¹, or ₹11.50 crore.¹⁶ This represented a significant decline of approximately 38.96% from the opening day.⁴
• Cumulative Total: Despite the drop, the cumulative 2-day India Nett collection reached a strong total, reported as ₹31 crore ², ₹32.76 crore (makers' figure) ⁸, or ₹30.75 crore.¹⁶ The film crossed the ₹30 crore mark domestically within two days.
• Occupancy and Shows: The overall Hindi occupancy on Friday dipped to 19.23% ⁴, down from Day 1's 34.36%. Evening and night shows continued to perform better.²⁵ A reduction of about 150 shows was also reported for the second day compared to the first.⁴
• Weekend Importance: The sharp drop from a holiday-fueled Day 1 to a regular Day 2, while expected, highlights the critical importance of the film's performance over the subsequent weekend (Saturday and Sunday). Strong holds or growth during the weekend would indicate positive audience word-of-mouth and potential for sustained collections, whereas continued significant drops might suggest the film was primarily driven by initial hype, franchise recognition, and the holiday advantage. Its trajectory beyond the opening days hinges on this weekend performance.¹⁶

Table 2: Raid 2 (2025) - Initial Box Office Performance (First 2 Days)

Metric	Day 1 (Thu, May 1)	Day 2 (Fri, May 2)	2-Day Total	Notes
India Nett Collection	~₹19.25-19.71 Cr	~₹11.75 Cr	~₹31-32.76 Cr	Day 1 boosted by Labour Day holiday.3 Range reflects source variations.
% Change (Day 2 vs Day 1)	-	~ -39%	-	Significant drop on working day post-holiday.4
India Gross Collection	~₹22.75-23.75 Cr	-	-	13
Worldwide Gross	~₹24.42-25.75 Cr	-	-	2
Budget	Uncertain: ₹40 Cr vs ₹120 Cr reported ranges	-	-	Major discrepancy impacts profitability outlook.2

Note: Figures are based on reported estimates and official numbers from various sources.²

IV. Comparative Analysis: Positioning Raid 2 in the Market

A. Raid 2 vs. Raid (2018)

A direct comparison reveals significant growth in the franchise's opening potential. Raid 2's opening day Nett collection of approximately ₹19.25-19.71 crore starkly contrasts with Raid's ₹10.04 crore start.³ This translates to a remarkable growth of approximately 96% in opening day earnings for the sequel.¹³ Several factors contribute to this substantial increase: the established brand recognition and audience anticipation following the success of the first film, the strategic release of Raid 2 on a national holiday compared to the original's standard Friday release, general ticket price inflation between 2018 and 2025, and potentially a larger scale and marketing push typical for sequels. While this demonstrates the franchise's enhanced drawing power at the outset, the significantly higher opening does not automatically guarantee a proportionally higher lifetime collection, particularly given the observed Day 2 drop and the uncertainty surrounding Raid 2's potentially inflated budget.

B. Raid 2 vs. Ajay Devgn's Recent Filmography

Raid 2's opening day performance positions it strongly within Ajay Devgn's recent box office record. Its first-day collection surpassed several of his successful films, including:

• Shaitaan (2024): ₹15.21 crore ⁴
• Drishyam 2 (2022): ₹15.38 crore ¹³
• Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020): ₹15.10 crore ²
• Total Dhamaal (2019): ₹16.50 crore ²²
• Bholaa (2023): ₹11.20 crore ¹⁴
• Maidaan (2024): ₹7.25 crore ¹⁴

It also dramatically outperformed recent underperformers like Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha (2024) and Azaad (2025), whose opening day collections were negligible in comparison.⁴

However, Raid 2's opening fell short of Devgn's mega-franchise openers like Singham Again (2024, ₹43.70 crore), Singham Returns (2014, ₹32.09 crore), and Golmaal Again (2017, ₹30.14 crore).⁴

Based on these comparisons, Raid 2 emerged as Ajay Devgn's fourth-highest opening day grosser overall and his second-best opening in the post-Covid era (behind Singham Again).¹³ This performance solidifies the Raid series as a reliable, upper-mid-tier franchise for the actor, capable of delivering openings significantly stronger than his standalone films or less established properties. Its initial numbers, comparable to or exceeding hits like Shaitaan and Drishyam 2, place it firmly within Devgn's successful thriller/drama space. Furthermore, the contrast with the poor performance of his recent non-franchise films underscores the increasing importance of established IPs in ensuring consistent box office returns for major stars in the current market.

C. Raid 2 vs. 2025 Market Competitors

Within the context of Bollywood releases in 2025 up to its release date, Raid 2 achieved a prominent position. It was reported as the third-highest opening day grosser of the year.¹³

• It trailed behind Chhaava (starring Vicky Kaushal, reported opening ~₹31-33.10 crore) ³ and Sikandar (starring Salman Khan, reported opening ~₹26-30.06 crore).³
• It opened significantly ahead of other notable 2025 releases like Sky Force (₹15.30 crore) ¹³, Jaat (₹9.62 crore) ³, and Kesari: Chapter 2 (₹7.84 crore).³

Raid 2 released alongside competition, including South Indian films Retro and HIT: The Third Case, and the Hindi film The Bhootnii.² However, projections indicated Raid 2 would dominate the Hindi film space.³ Its strong opening figures confirm it successfully captured major audience attention amidst this competition, leveraging star power, franchise recall, and the holiday release window to secure a top-tier market debut for the year thus far. Its final ranking for 2025 will depend on its performance longevity compared to subsequent major releases.

Table 3: Comparative Opening Day Performance (India Nett, INR Crore)

Film	Opening Day Nett	Notes
Raid (2018)	₹10.04 Cr	Original Film 15
Raid 2 (2025)	~₹19.7 Cr	Sequel, Holiday Release 13
Shaitaan (2024)	₹15.21 Cr	Ajay Devgn Starrer 14
Drishyam 2 (2022)	₹15.38 Cr	Ajay Devgn Starrer 14
Singham Again (2024)	₹43.70 Cr	Ajay Devgn Starrer 14
Chhaava (2025)	~₹31-33 Cr	Top 2025 Opener 13
Sikandar (2025)	~₹26-30 Cr	2nd Highest 2025 Opener 13

Note: Figures rounded or represent common reported values from snippets.

V. Concluding Observations and Future Outlook

A. Raid (2018) Legacy

The original Raid (2018) stands as an unqualified commercial success. It significantly outperformed expectations relative to its modest budget, achieving 'Hit'/'Super-Hit' status and crossing the ₹100 crore Nett mark domestically.¹ Its profitability and positive reception established a strong foundation and audience goodwill for a potential franchise.

B. Raid 2 (2025) Initial Assessment

Based on the initial two days of data, Raid 2 launched powerfully, leveraging the Labour Day holiday, strong advance bookings, and the established franchise value to deliver one of the highest opening days of 2025 and for Ajay Devgn's career.³ The opening day collection nearly doubled that of its predecessor.¹³ However, the film witnessed a significant, albeit predictable, drop on its second day as the holiday effect wore off.⁴ Despite this, the cumulative two-day collection remained robust at over ₹30 crore Nett domestically.⁸

C. Key Factors Moving Forward

The ultimate box office fate of Raid 2 hinges on several factors:

• Weekend Trend: Performance over the first Saturday and Sunday is paramount. Stabilisation or growth in collections would signal positive word-of-mouth and potential for a long run, whereas continued steep declines could limit its lifetime total.¹⁶
• Audience Reception: While initial reactions were reportedly positive ²⁴, mixed critical reviews were also noted.⁴ Sustained audience engagement, driven by word-of-mouth, will be crucial.
• Budget Confirmation: The considerable uncertainty surrounding the film's actual budget (ranging from ₹40 crore to ₹120 crore) makes a definitive assessment of its profitability difficult at this stage.² Its performance needs to be evaluated against its true cost to determine its final verdict.

D. Final Thoughts

The Raid franchise has demonstrably proven its box office strength, cementing its place as a valuable intellectual property for Ajay Devgn and its producers. Raid 2's impressive opening reaffirms Devgn's enduring star power and the audience's appetite for established franchises, particularly in the thriller genre.²² While the initial drop necessitates caution, the strong start provides a solid platform. The film's ability to sustain collections through its first week and beyond, relative to its (yet uncertain) budget, will determine whether it replicates or surpasses the significant success of the original Raid. The early data reinforces the trend of franchise films being a more reliable bet for consistent box office returns in the contemporary Bollywood landscape.