Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn's highly anticipated film, ‘Raid 2,’ has already created a buzz at the box office even before its release. The film's advance bookings have begun so bly that May looks set to be a blockbuster month for Bollywood.
Raid 2 Advance Booking: Despite the presence of big stars in April 2025, the box office didn't perform as expected. While films starring Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar, and Imran Hashmi generated discussion, none managed to reach the 200 crore club. This clearly indicates that star power alone no longer guarantees box office success; compelling content and audience connection are crucial.
All eyes are now on Ajay Devgn's highly anticipated film, 'Raid 2,' releasing on May 1st. This film is a sequel to the 2018 superhit 'Raid,' which showcased Ajay Devgn as an honest and powerful Income Tax officer. 'Raid 2' is not only expected to provide relief to the box office but could also prove to be a turning point for Bollywood during the summer season.
Ajay Devgn Returns as ‘Amay Patnaik’
Presented as a sequel to the 2018 superhit film 'Raid,' 'Raid 2' sees Ajay Devgn reprise his role as the honest Income Tax officer, Amay Patnaik. The trailer's impactful dialogues, intense look, and glimpses of the fight against corruption have generated significant excitement among viewers. This is the reason behind the film's phenomenal advance bookings, with the first-day figures being particularly encouraging.
Strong Ticket Sales, Enthusiasm Across States
Since the commencement of advance bookings in cinemas, over 56,000 tickets for ‘Raid 2’ have been sold, generating a gross collection of ₹1.68 crore. Including block seats, the total advance collection has surpassed ₹3.12 crore. Over 5000 shows have been booked nationwide, with Ajay Devgn's popularity clearly evident in many states.
Maharashtra is showing the best response, with collections reaching ₹46.69 lakhs so far. Advance bookings are also rapidly increasing in Delhi, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.
‘Raid 2’ vs. ‘HIT 3’: A Clash of the Titans
On May 1st, Ajay Devgn faces direct competition from South superstar Nani's film, ‘HIT 3.’ Interestingly, the promotional events for ‘HIT 3’ saw the participation of renowned director S.S. Rajamouli, giving the film significant publicity. Advance bookings in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh alone have already generated ₹1.70 crore. This is not just a box office battle but also an interesting clash between two cinematic cultures: Bollywood and Tollywood.
Ready to Surpass ‘Kesari 2’ and ‘Jaat’
Films released earlier this year, such as ‘Azaad,’ ‘Kesari 2,’ and ‘Jaat,’ failed to meet audience expectations. Neither Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar, nor Imran Hashmi's films made a significant impact at the box office. Therefore, all eyes are now on ‘Raid 2.’ Trade analysts predict that the film's opening-day collection could reach ₹6.8 crore, making it the biggest opening of the year.
Another highlight of ‘Raid 2’ is actor Riteish Deshmukh's negative role. His villainous characters in films like ‘Ek Villain’ have been well-received by audiences. In this film too, his character will be seen challenging Ajay Devgn's ‘Amay Patnaik.’
