Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Day 12 Box Office Collection worldwide and hit or flop?

The Marathi-language historical drama Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj continues its theatrical journey with modest collections as it completes 12 days at the box office. Directed by Tushar Shelar, the film highlights the valor and sacrifices of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, as he fights to uphold Swarajya and protect his kingdom against external and internal adversaries. Despite its significant cultural resonance in Maharashtra, the film’s box office performance has been underwhelming, with a worldwide gross nearing ₹6.5 crores by Day 12.

Box Office Performance and Day-Wise Collections

The film opened with a slow start, earning ₹0.33 crores on its first day in India. Weekend collections saw a marginal rise, peaking at ₹0.93 crores on Sunday. However, weekday earnings plummeted, with Day 12 adding only around ₹0.2 crores to the total gross. The film’s steady decline in collections during weekdays reflects its limited appeal outside niche audiences.

Day	India Net Collection (₹)	Change (+/-)
Day 1 (Friday)	0.33 crores	–
Day 2 (Saturday)	0.53 crores	+60.61%
Day 3 (Sunday)	0.93 crores	+75.47%
Day 4 (Monday)	0.26 crores	-72.04%
Day 5–11	4.25 crores (combined)
Day 12 (Wednesday)	0.2 crores (approx.)
Total	6.5 crores (Worldwide Gross)

The total domestic net stands at ₹5.75 crores, with Maharashtra contributing the majority of these earnings. Overseas collections have been negligible due to limited releases in non-Indian markets.

Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Given its modest budget of ₹1.5 crores and worldwide gross of ₹6.5 crores, the film has recovered its costs and is not a financial loss. By this metric, it can be deemed a modest success rather than a flop. However, its failure to create a significant impact beyond its core audience and its inability to draw younger or non-Marathi viewers places it far below expectations for a film of such historical importance.

Production Budget and Financial Viability

Produced on a modest budget of approximately ₹1.5 crores, Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was released on 900 screens worldwide, including 800 screens in India and 100 overseas. The film has already recovered its production costs through theatrical earnings, making it financially viable. However, given its subject matter and cultural importance, expectations for a larger box office footprint have not been met.

Critical Reception and Audience Feedback

Critics have praised the film for its authentic depiction of Sambhaji Maharaj’s struggles and its strong performances, particularly by Thakur Anoop Singh in the titular role. The period setting, costumes, and dialogues received commendation for capturing the essence of 17th-century Maharashtra.

However, the narrative’s slow pacing and lack of dynamic storytelling have drawn criticism. Many audiences found the film overly reliant on historical details, which limited its mass appeal. The emotional resonance needed to captivate family audiences and younger viewers was also perceived as lacking, contributing to its underwhelming box office performance.

Challenges and Competition

The film faced significant competition from other regional and national releases. The ongoing success of Singham Again and Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2’s strong pre-release buzz have overshadowed Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The lack of aggressive marketing and limited promotional efforts outside Maharashtra further curtailed its reach to a broader audience.

Additionally, the historical genre, while revered, tends to cater to a niche segment of the audience, making it challenging to achieve widespread success without an engaging narrative or a well-known lead actor.

Comparison with Other Marathi Historical Films

In comparison to other Marathi historical dramas like Pawankhind and Farzand, Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj has lagged behind both in critical acclaim and box office performance. These earlier films benefited from stronger narratives, higher production values, and robust marketing campaigns that resonated with Marathi-speaking audiences and beyond.

Conclusion

Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is a heartfelt tribute to one of Maharashtra’s most revered historical figures. While its cultural significance and strong performances have resonated with a dedicated audience, its overall box office performance has been modest. As the film nears the end of its theatrical run, its success will likely be limited to its niche appeal, with potential for a second life through streaming platforms and digital rights.