Chhaava Beats Pathaan: Vicky Kaushal’s Movie Outlasts Shah Rukh Khan’s Blockbuster!

Bollywood Desk, Delhi Magazine: In a stunning twist of box office fate, Vicky Kaushal’s “Chhaava” has emerged victorious over Shah Rukh Khan’s “Pathaan”, proving that perseverance and cultural resonance can beat star power and hype.

Released on February 14, 2025, “Chhaava” marked Vicky Kaushal’s biggest project yet, delivering a powerful performance that captivated audiences and critics alike. Despite opening at a modest ₹30–35 crore, the film’s raw storytelling, breathtaking war sequences, and A.R. Rahman’s soul-stirring score ignited word-of-mouth momentum. By week two, collections had soared to an impressive ₹84 crore, nearly doubling “Pathaan’s” third-week earnings of ₹44.75 crore.

On the other hand, “Pathaan”, released on January 25, 2023, was a high-octane action film fueled by Shah Rukh Khan’s grand comeback after a four-year hiatus. The movie shattered opening day records with a whopping ₹57 crore and amassed ₹348 crore within the first week. Its success was driven by YRF’s aggressive marketing, catchy songs like Besharam Rang, and a strategic Republic Day weekend release.

However, while “Pathaan” sprinted to the top, it couldn’t maintain its pace. As new releases emerged, it saw a gradual decline, with week two pulling in ₹22 crore and lifetime earnings capping at ₹543.09 crore.

In contrast, “Chhaava” ran a marathon, with regional pride and historical gravitas bolstering its success, particularly in Maharashtra, where weekday occupancy rates remained as high as 70–80%. Its IMDB rating of 7.8 and glowing word-of-mouth helped it dominate screens long after its Valentine’s Day release. By the third week, “Chhaava” was raking in ₹65 crore, and the trend continued as the film’s lifetime net crossed ₹550 crore—and counting!

Despite lacking the mass hysteria of SRK’s comeback, Vicky Kaushal’s grounded performance and the film’s intense storytelling struck a chord with audiences nationwide. As trade analysts point out, “Chhaava” is now hailed as a “dream run” success, cementing its place as one of 2025’s biggest box office surprises.

Pathaan sprinted, but Chhaava endured—proving that sometimes, it’s not just about the hype but the heart and soul of storytelling that resonates with the masses.

Budget Comparison: Why Chhaava is the Real Winner

• Chhaava’s Budget: Estimated at ₹100 crore, including production and promotion.
• Pathaan’s Budget: Around ₹250 crore, with a large chunk spent on international shoots and high-profile star fees.

Chhaava’s success story lies in its efficiency—a leaner budget and a massive return on investment (ROI) of over 400%. In contrast, Pathaan’s ROI was around 322%, despite its massive global collections.

Ticket Sales: Chhaava Sells More Tickets Than Pathaan!

Another surprise is in the ticket count!

• Chhaava: Sold around 20–22 million tickets (including 11 million on BookMyShow) and is still running.
• Pathaan: Sold 17–19 million tickets in total (with 10.9 million on BookMyShow).

Despite opening lower, Chhaava’s ticket sales surged as positive reviews and strong word-of-mouth spread like wildfire. The film’s Valentine’s Day release faced stiff competition from titles like Mere Husband Ki Biwi and Ziddi Girls, but it still managed to dominate the screens.

The Final Take

Pathaan may have been the flashy blockbuster with SRK’s comeback, but Chhaava emerged as the underdog champion, proving that great storytelling and powerful performances can win hearts and break records. With Vicky Kaushal’s career-defining role and the film’s historic success, Chhaava is now hailed as one of the biggest hits of 2025.

It’s a win not just for Vicky Kaushal but also for content-driven cinema. Sometimes, it’s not just about star power—it’s about striking the right chord with the audience!