Ajay Devgn’s crime drama demonstrates staying power with consistent earnings, especially in key urban centers like Mumbai and Pune.
Mumbai, India – May 28, 2025 —
Ajay Devgn’s latest crime thriller, Raid 2, continues to show strong legs at the box office, earning ₹1.85 crores on its fourth Saturday. The film’s cumulative India net collection now stands at ₹159.70 crores, solidifying its position as one of the more commercially successful Hindi releases of 2025.
Despite being in its fourth week, the film has maintained a respectable hold, particularly in urban markets. The Mumbai and Pune circuits continue to report higher-than-average occupancy rates, indicating a sustained interest among audiences. The fourth Friday had seen a slight dip in collections — a typical trend — but the rebound on Saturday affirms the film’s enduring appeal.
A Strong Opening and Consistent Performance
Raid 2, directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, opened to a strong weekend earlier in the month, riding on the brand value of its 2018 predecessor Raid. The first film, also starring Ajay Devgn, was a critical and commercial success, praised for its gripping narrative and realistic depiction of income tax raids.
The sequel leverages a similar formula, combining elements of suspense, action, and real-life inspired drama. According to trade analysts, Raid 2 earned ₹41.25 crores during its opening weekend, including a ₹14.85 crore haul on opening day alone. This gave it a firm footing in a market that has recently seen fluctuating footfalls due to competition from regional cinema and OTT releases.
Regional Strongholds: Mumbai and Pune Lead the Way
While the film has found audiences across India, Maharashtra has emerged as the strongest region. Mumbai and Pune, in particular, have reported consistent occupancy rates above 40%, a notable figure for a fourth-week release.
Industry observers point out that Devgn’s fan base in the region, along with the film’s semi-realistic themes and gritty storytelling, have resonated well with urban viewers. Multiplexes in both cities have retained a significant number of showings, suggesting that demand has not yet tapered off substantially.
Single screens in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, meanwhile, have seen a slower drop-off compared to other Bollywood releases in recent months. The film’s narrative, centered on systemic corruption and moral integrity, appears to have struck a chord across demographic lines.
Competitive Landscape and Challenges
The performance of Raid 2 is all the more noteworthy given the competitive cinematic environment. The film faced competition from multiple new releases over the past three weeks, including high-budget action flicks and regional blockbusters.
Nevertheless, its earnings trajectory reflects a rare consistency. From its robust debut through a stable second and third week, and now into the fourth weekend, Raid 2 has outperformed many other recent Bollywood offerings that struggled to cross the ₹100 crore mark.
The Hindi film industry has been grappling with shifting viewer habits, with many audiences opting for digital streaming services. Yet, theatrical releases like Raid 2 and earlier films such as Shaitaan and Pathaan indicate that there is still a healthy appetite for well-crafted, high-stakes dramas on the big screen.
Historical Context: The ‘Raid’ Franchise
The original Raid released in 2018 and was based on a real-life income tax raid from the 1980s, conducted during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s tenure. The film was appreciated for its no-frills storytelling and focused narrative. Ajay Devgn’s portrayal of upright income tax officer Amay Patnaik received widespread acclaim.
Raid 2 picks up from this thematic core, presenting a fictionalized account inspired by multiple real-life events. While not a direct continuation, the sequel retains its predecessor’s moral intensity and bureaucratic drama, framed within a modern socio-political landscape.
Director Raj Kumar Gupta, known for films like Aamir and No One Killed Jessica, is celebrated for his research-driven storytelling. He has again collaborated with screenwriter Ritesh Shah to ensure the film delivers both commercial and narrative depth.
Critical Reception and Word of Mouth
Critical reception for Raid 2 has been largely positive, with many reviewers commending Devgn’s restrained yet powerful performance. The screenplay, while not universally praised, has been described as taut and engaging, particularly in the second half.
Public word-of-mouth has played a vital role in the film’s extended box office life. Social media buzz and community reviews have generally leaned favorable, with hashtags like #Raid2 and #AjayDevgn trending periodically on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
Family audiences and older viewers — demographics traditionally underrepresented in opening weekend surges — have contributed significantly to the film’s later-week earnings, industry trackers report.
Future Projections and Franchise Potential
With Raid 2 nearing the ₹160 crore mark, projections for its lifetime India net collection range between ₹165 to ₹170 crores. Should it continue to maintain momentum into the coming week, especially through weekdays, it could inch closer to the higher end of that estimate.
International collections have also been promising, with the film earning approximately ₹45 crores from overseas markets, including strong performances in the UAE, Canada, and Australia — territories where Devgn commands a loyal following.
Given the success of the franchise, industry insiders speculate that a third installment could be in early planning stages. While no official confirmation has been made, the formula of fact-based financial crime dramas clearly holds commercial viability.
Broader Industry Implications
The sustained success of Raid 2 provides a much-needed boost for Bollywood. In a time where the industry is redefining its content strategies, films like this reinforce the importance of narrative-driven cinema over formulaic spectacle.
According to recent data from Box Office India, the Hindi film sector has seen only a handful of high-performing releases in 2025. The average success rate remains modest, making Raid 2‘s performance a notable exception.
Moreover, its achievement could inspire more producers to invest in franchises with strong storytelling foundations rather than relying solely on visual effects or star power.
Conclusion
Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2 has proved to be more than just a sequel. It is a reminder that well-told stories, grounded in real-life issues and backed by solid performances, still hold sway over Indian moviegoers. As the film crosses ₹159.70 crores and continues its theatrical run, it not only reaffirms Devgn’s status as a dependable box office draw but also signals the audience’s growing appetite for meaningful cinema.
With the possibility of future installments and growing interest in realistic thrillers, Raid 2 may very well become a blueprint for how to balance commercial success with narrative integrity in the modern era of Indian cinema.