Bollywood has once again proven its dominance at the Indian box office, with Vicky Kaushal’s historical epic Chhaava delivering a knockout punch to Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World. The grand biopic, based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, raked in a staggering $14 million in just three days, making it the biggest Bollywood blockbuster of 2025. Meanwhile, Marvel’s latest superhero venture, featuring Anthony Mackie as Captain America, managed a modest $1.5 million, with a disappointing $525,000 from its Hindi version.
Even on the global stage, Brave New World saw a lukewarm response compared to previous Marvel outings. It opened with $192.4 million worldwide, trailing behind the likes of Thor: Love and Thunder ($303.2 million), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ($331.3 million), and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ($449.4 million). However, it did surpass Eternals, which had a $162 million opening. But in India, the audience’s verdict was clear—Chhaava reigned supreme.
Directed by Laxman Utekar, Chhaava is Vicky Kaushal’s second collaboration with the filmmaker after their romantic comedy Zara Hatke Zara Bachke. The film stars Rashmika Mandanna as Yesubai, the brave and strategic wife of Sambhaji Maharaj, and Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor who relentlessly pursued Sambhaji. With its stunning cinematography, powerful dialogues, and high-intensity war sequences, Chhaava struck a chord with Indian audiences, who were captivated by the untold heroics of one of Maharashtra’s greatest warriors.
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was a fearless warrior, scholar, and ruler who sacrificed his life resisting the Mughal Empire. Despite enduring brutal torture at the hands of Aurangzeb, he never converted to Islam, becoming a symbol of Hindu resilience and unwavering courage.
For decades, Sambhaji Maharaj’s contributions were downplayed or omitted from mainstream history books, particularly during the rule of the Congress party, which prioritized a secular narrative over Hindu warrior legacies. While Mughal rulers were glorified, warriors like Sambhaji, Maharana Pratap, and Bajirao Peshwa were often relegated to the sidelines. With Chhaava, his legacy is finally getting the recognition it deserves, igniting pride among Maharashtrians and history enthusiasts alike.
Akshaye Khanna starring as Mughal king Aurangzeb in 'Chhaava.' (Photo credit:Maddock Films)
With Chhaava surpassing Sky Force (which earned $13.4 million) and on track to overtake Raazi, Vicky Kaushal has cemented his place as one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars. Meanwhile, despite boasting a star-studded cast including Harrison Ford, Sebastian Stan, Tim Blake Nelson, and Shira Haas, Captain America: Brave New World failed to impress Indian audiences, proving that local stories with cultural depth resonate far more than Hollywood spectacles.
As Chhaava continues its triumphant box office run, Bollywood has sent a clear message—historical and culturally rooted narratives have the power to outperform even the biggest global franchises.
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