Raja Shivaji: Riteish Deshmukh Discusses Film Budget and Box Office Performance

Overview of Raja Shivaji's Performance

Directed and co-produced by Riteish Deshmukh, the film Raja Shivaji has been performing reasonably well at the box office. This historical drama, which portrays the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, faced competition from The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Junaid Khan-Sai Pallavi's Ek Din upon its release. Following its debut, speculation regarding the film's budget circulated widely online, with reports estimating it at around Rs 100 crore. In a recent interview, Riteish addressed these rumors, emphasizing that only the producers are privy to the actual budget.

Riteish Deshmukh on the Film's Budget

Riteish Deshmukh on Raja Shivaji's budget

In a conversation with a media outlet, Riteish expressed that filmmakers should refrain from discussing budgets, as it does not impact the film's success. He noted that discussions about star salaries and production costs have become overly prominent in the film industry. Riteish questioned the relevance of a film's budget, stating, "If someone inquires about the budget, I counter by asking how much they are paying for a ticket to see it." He believes that ticket prices reflect the budget more accurately than any speculation. Riteish reminisced about his childhood visits to the cinema, recalling how he watched Amitabh Bachchan's Sholay without concern for its budget, simply wanting to enjoy the cinematic experience. He acknowledged that the industry itself contributes to public interest in these figures, stating, "We would never know how much films collected. Unfortunately, that’s the game today." He concluded by mentioning that he has directed seven films in Marathi cinema without ever disclosing their budgets.

Box Office Collection of Raja Shivaji

How is Raja Shivaji performing at Indian box office?

As for its box office performance, Raja Shivaji has grossed Rs 56.28 crore so far. The film had a strong opening, earning Rs 13.25 crore on its first day, followed by Rs 10.55 crore on the second day and Rs 12 crore on the third. The subsequent days saw collections of Rs 5.60 crore, Rs 4.90 crore, Rs 4.25 crore, Rs 4 crore, and Rs 3.20 crore on the eighth day.