A Glorious Return to Cinemas
Ajay Devgn’s highly-awaited sequel, Raid 2, has finally landed on the big screen, reigniting the enthusiasm of viewers who loved the first 2018 blockbuster. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, this crime thriller features Devgn reprise his role as the indefatigable IRS officer, Amay Patnaik. Releasing on May 1, 2025, the film has already created quite a splash at the box office, collecting a whopping ₹18.25 crore on day one. Yet, the movie scene is abuzz, with strong contenders such as Suriya’s Retro and Nani’s HIT 3 competing for viewers’ attention.
Raid 2 Starring Ajay Devgn Hits Theatres: A Sequel Worth the Wait
Ajay Devgn’s comeback as Amay Patnaik in Raid 2 has been welcomed. The movie explores further into the corruption and justice scenario, with Patnaik facing new opponents and challenges. The story is supported by the introduction of Riteish Deshmukh as a crooked politician and Vaani Kapoor as Patnaik’s supportive wife.
Box Office Face-Off: ‘Raid 2’ vs ‘Retro’ and ‘HIT 3’
Although Raid 2 opened well, it wasn’t the only one in the limelight. Suriya’s Retro edged ahead slightly with ₹19.25 crore, and Nani’s HIT 3 was close behind, gathering ₹18 crore. This action-packing trio has set the stage for an exciting box office showdown.
Occupancy Rates and Audience Turnout
As per Sacnilk, Raid 2 had an overall occupancy of 34.36% in India. Morning shows began at 21.23%, but evening and late-night shows picked up, going up to 42% occupancy. This proves there is good word-of-mouth and increasing interest.
Critical Reception: Mixed Yet Promising
Raid 2 has received mixed views from critics. The Times of India gave it 3/5 stars, appreciating its continuity of the original’s theme but criticizing its self-praising tone. On the other hand, 123Telugu appreciated the engaging second half of the movie but also spoke against its slow pace in the beginning and weakness in narration.
Advance Bookings: A Strong Indicator
Raid 2 collected ₹6.52 crore in advance bookings alone, reflecting the eagerness around the movie. This amount beat several of Devgn’s pre-pandemic releases, which suggests a strong fanbase looking forward to his return as Patnaik.
Comparative Analysis: How Does ‘Raid 2’ Compare?
Compared to its predecessor, Raid 2 has surpassed the opening day collection of the original by a considerable amount, ₹10.04 crore. This 78% growth highlights the sequel’s increased popularity and the sustained popularity of its central character.
Regional Performance: Where Did ‘Raid 2’ Shine?
The movie did quite well in the state of Maharashtra, a perennial bastion of Devgn releases. Other pockets such as Gujarat, Delhi, and West Bengal also added large chunks to opening day numbers and demonstrated a across-the-board reach.
Social Media Buzz: People Express Their Thoughts
On Twitter and Reddit, fans have posted their reactions. Most appreciated Devgn’s consistent acting as Patnaik, while others praised Deshmukh’s engaging performance. Some viewers, however, noted the slow first half of the film and an unnecessary item song.
FAQs
1. What is the opening day collection of ‘Raid 2’?
Raid 2 collected ₹18.25 crore on its opening day.
2. Who are the main cast members in ‘Raid 2’?
Ajay Devgn once again plays Amay Patnaik, and Riteish Deshmukh and Vaani Kapoor join the cast.
3. How is ‘Raid 2’ different from ‘Retro’ and ‘HIT 3’?
Although Raid 2 opened well, Retro marginally edged it with ₹19.25 crore, and HIT 3 trailed closely with ₹18 crore.
India Today
4. What do the critics have to say about ‘Raid 2’?
Reviews are divided; some commend the performances and plot, while others criticize its pace and depth.
5. Did ‘Raid 2’ beat its predecessor?
Yes, it beat the opening day collection of the original Raid by 78%.
6. Which areas contributed the most to ‘Raid 2’s success?
Maharashtra took the lead, followed by Gujarat, Delhi, and West Bengal.
Conclusion: A Promising Start Amidst Fierce Competition
Raid 2 has left a significant mark with its opening day collection, reiterating Ajay Devgn’s success in the crime thriller genre. Although it is up against tough competition from Retro and HIT 3, the film’s good start and fan base indicate a good run in the coming days.
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