Ajay Devgn’s highly anticipated film ‘Raid 2’ premiered on May 1, making a strong impression at the box office. This crime drama sees Devgn reprising his role as the principled IRS officer Amay Patnaik, and it has garnered impressive earnings despite facing stiff competition from other major releases.

Strong Opening for ‘Raid 2’

According to early estimates from Sacnilk, ‘Raid 2’ raked in approximately Rs. 18.25 crore on its opening day. The film enjoyed a solid turnout in theaters, achieving an overall occupancy rate of about 34.36% across India. While morning shows started off slowly at 21.23% occupancy, attendance surged in the evening and night, reaching 42% by day’s end. This robust start sets the stage for a promising weekend, particularly if audience feedback remains favorable.

Ajay Devgn Returns as Amay Patnaik

‘Raid 2’ serves as a sequel to the 2018 blockbuster ‘Raid’, which was inspired by a real-life income tax raid from the 1980s. In this sequel, Devgn once again embodies the courageous IRS officer Amay Patnaik, known for his unwavering commitment to justice. Joining him in this installment are Riteish Deshmukh as a corrupt politician and Vaani Kapoor as Amay’s wife.

Box Office Face-Off: ‘Raid 2’ vs ‘Retro’ and ‘HIT 3’

While ‘Raid 2’ had a successful opening, it is not the only film attracting audiences. Two other major action thrillers released on the same day—Suriya’s ‘Retro’ and Nani’s ‘HIT: The Third Case’. Sacnilk reports that ‘Retro’ slightly surpassed ‘Raid 2’ with an opening day collection of Rs. 19.25 crore, while ‘HIT 3’ closely followed with Rs. 18 crore. All three films are vying for the attention of action enthusiasts, creating a competitive box office environment. The true test for these films will unfold over the weekend, as sustained momentum will determine which film emerges victorious.

‘Bhootnii’ Barely Survives

In contrast, Sanjay Dutt’s horror-comedy ‘Bhootnii’, which also debuted alongside these major films, struggled to make an impact, earning only Rs. 65 lakh on its first day. With a head start of Rs. 18.25 crore, ‘Raid 2’ is well-positioned for a strong weekend box office performance. However, its primary challenge lies in maintaining its lead over ‘Retro’ and ‘HIT 3’, which are currently in a close race.

‘Raid 2’ Movie Review:

The Times of India rated ‘Raid 2’ 3/5 stars, stating, “Relentless Patnaik (Devgn) is a thorn in the lives of the corrupt. He disrupts the privileged who believe they can evade the law, and the chemistry and conflict that arise as he digs deeper add a comic-thrilling element to the narrative. The expectation of efficiency or honesty from public servants is rare, making this anomaly an intriguing watch.”