Ajay Devgn's 'Raid 2' Opens Strong with Rs 18 Crore at Box Office

Ajay Devgn’s crime thriller "Raid 2" registered a double-digit opening at the domestic box office on Thursday, drawing an estimated Rs 18 crore nett on its first day.

Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, who led the original "Raid", the second installment arrives at a moment when Hindi films have struggled to find a breakout success in 2025. Early indications suggest the franchise could reverse that trend.

The film benefited from its May 1 release coinciding with Maharashtra Day and Labour Day, which helped boost initial ticket sales. Competing releases, including "Kesari: Chapter 2", have posted moderate results but have yet to match Thursday’s figures.

Industry analysts predict that despite a slight slowdown on Friday, "Raid 2" may secure a weekend tally in the region of Rs 65–70 crore nett, positioning it as the top choice among viewers this inaugural weekend.

In regional markets, Telugu star Nani’s "HIT: The Third Case" opened to Rs 18 crore nett on the same day. The film, backed by high anticipation, has faced mixed critical reception but is expected to grow over the weekend.

With no major Hindi releases scheduled for Friday, all eyes will remain on "Raid 2" as it seeks to lead the box office in its opening week.