If you thought Ajay Devgn was done raiding corrupt politicians after the first Raid, think again! The much-awaited sequel, Raid 2, stormed into cinemas on May 1, 2025, and the cash registers are already ringing. But does the Raid 2 box office collection live up to the hype? And how does it fare against this week’s competition? Let’s break it down, with a dash of fun and a pinch of sarcasm-because, let’s face it, what’s a Bollywood blockbuster without a little drama?
Raid 2 Release Date and Opening Day Blitz
First things first: the Raid 2 release date was May 1, 2025. The film wasted no time in making headlines, raking in a whopping ₹18.25 crore on its opening day. That’s not just a strong start- Raid 2 box office collection is the third-biggest Hindi opener of 2025, trailing only behind Chhaava (₹31 crore) and Sikandar (₹26 crore). Not bad for a sequel, right?
With over 1.5 lakh tickets sold in advance and ₹7 crore coming in just from pre-sales, it’s clear that the anticipation was sky-high. The overall Hindi occupancy for day one hovered around 32%, peaking at nearly 39% in the evening shows-suggesting that word-of-mouth was working its magic as the day wore on.
Fans and Critics: Who Stole the Show?
Here’s where things get interesting. While Ajay Devgn’s return as IRS officer Amay Patnaik was the main draw, it was Riteish Deshmukh who walked away with the audience’s applause. Social media was abuzz with praise for Riteish’s performance, with fans calling his role as Dada Manohar Bhai a “masterclass in acting”. One fan even confessed, “This is the first time I’m writing something NEGATIVE about #AjayDevgn’s acting… it felt like you weren’t interested or involved in the film”. Ouch!
Critics, meanwhile, were a bit more measured. The first half of the film was called “promising,” with twists galore, but the plot was criticized for relying a bit too much on convenience. Some reviewers felt that Ajay’s performance was “one-dimensional,” while Riteish was the “surprise standout” who “stole the spotlight”. So, if you’re going for powerhouse acting, keep your eyes on Riteish.
Weekend Box Office Predictions: Will Raid 2 Keep Raiding?
Now, let’s talk predictions. With such a strong Thursday opening, all eyes are on the weekend. Historically, films with high advance bookings and positive evening occupancy tend to see a jump on Saturday and Sunday. Given the positive buzz around Riteish Deshmukh’s performance and the curiosity factor for Ajay Devgn’s fans, Raid 2 is expected to maintain its momentum.
Industry trackers are betting on a steady climb, with Saturday and Sunday collections likely to touch ₹20 crore each, if not more, provided the word-of-mouth remains favorable.
If the trend holds, Raid 2 could comfortably cross the ₹50 crore mark by the end of its first weekend-a feat that would cement its status as one of 2025’s early blockbusters.
The Competition: Who’s Raiding the Box Office Alongside Raid 2?
But wait-Raid 2 isn’t the only film vying for your hard-earned rupees this week. The horror-comedy The Bhootnii, starring Sanjay Dutt and Mouni Roy, also hit theatres. While The Bhootnii brings its own brand of supernatural shenanigans, early reports suggest it’s unlikely to trouble Raid 2 at the Hindi box office.
In other words, Ajay and Riteish can breathe easy-at least for now.
Other notable releases this month include Bhool Chuk Maaf (featuring Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi) and, of course, the lingering presence of previous hits like Chhaava and Sikandar.
However, none seem poised to dethrone Raid 2 box office collection from its opening weekend perch.
How Does Raid 2 Stack Up Against Recent Releases?
Let’s put things in perspective. Raid 2’s opening day haul of ₹18.25 crore is better than Ajay Devgn’s own Drishyam 2 (₹15.38 crore) and miles ahead of Sunny Deol’s Jaat 2 (₹9.5 crore). But it still falls short of the year’s top openers, Chhaava and Sikandar.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Movie | Opening Day Collection (₹ crore) |
|---|---|
| Chhaava | 31 |
| Sikandar | 26 |
| Raid 2 | 18.25 |
| Drishyam 2 | 15.38 |
| Jaat 2 | 9.5 |
So, while Raid 2 isn’t breaking all records, it’s certainly holding its own-and that’s no small feat in a crowded release calendar.
Final Thoughts: Should You Join the Raid?
If you’re a fan of high-stakes thrillers, Ajay Devgn’s stoic intensity, or just want to see Riteish Deshmukh steal the show (and possibly your heart), Raid 2 is a solid weekend pick. The Raid 2 box office collection numbers are robust, the competition is weak, and the audience reactions are spicy enough to keep things interesting.
And hey, if you’re feeling nostalgic for the original Raid, this sequel brings back the same gritty energy-with a few more twists, a lot more Riteish, and just enough drama to make your popcorn last till the end credits.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your tickets, join the raid, and let Bollywood’s latest blockbuster sweep you off your feet-or at least out of your living room.
Stay tuned to Drunken Tailor for more box office breakdowns, movie madness, and the occasional snarky review. Because in Bollywood, there’s always something worth raiding!
