The Indian box office witnessed a cinematic showdown this International Labour Day, as three highly anticipated films — Raid 2, Hit 3: The Third Case, and Retro — hit the big screens. With big names, gripping stories, and massive fan anticipation, these films have already made waves with their advance bookings, setting the stage for a fierce box office battle.
Raid 2: Ajay Devgn Returns with a Bang
Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2, directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, is off to a strong start with impressive advance collections. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the sequel to the 2018 hit has earned ₹6.52 crore from pre-sales, with blocked seats pushing the total to ₹9.68 crore. The film has sold over 2.32 lakh tickets across India.
Featuring Riteish Deshmukh and Vaani Kapoor alongside Devgn, Raid 2 continues the saga of IRS officer Amay Patnaik as he leads his 75th high-stakes raid. The film has generated strong buzz, especially among fans of the original, and its early performance reflects that enthusiasm.
Hit 3: The Third Case — Nani Leads a Thriller Surge
Telugu star Nani’s Hit 3: The Third Case has outpaced expectations with a staggering ₹14 crore in worldwide advance bookings, ₹10 crore of which comes from Indian markets alone, according to Pinkvilla. This makes Hit 3 the top advance grosser among the three films.
Directed by Sailesh Kolanu, the film follows Arjun Sarkaar, a cop in the elite Homicide Intervention Team (HIT), as he investigates a string of brutal murders in Jammu and Kashmir. With Srinidhi Shetty joining the cast, the third installment of the HIT franchise has clearly struck a chord with crime thriller lovers.
Retro: Suriya Shines in Massy Action-Romance
Suriya’s Retro, directed by Karthik Subbaraj, is proving to be a crowd-puller, particularly in Tamil Nadu. The film raked in ₹5.85 crore from advance bookings in the state alone, with an all-India total crossing ₹8 crore. Over 3.3 lakh tickets have already been sold across approximately 1,900 shows.
Retro features Suriya as a retired gangster drawn back into the underworld to protect his wife, played by Pooja Hegde. The film’s mix of romance and high-octane action has resonated well with audiences in the South, promising a strong weekend run.
Box Office Face-Off
With Raid 2 dominating in Hindi belts, Hit 3 taking the Telugu market by storm, and Retro energizing Tamil audiences, this May Day marks a rare moment where major regional industries are simultaneously delivering big-screen spectacles.
Early trends suggest a record-breaking weekend ahead, as fans flock to theatres nationwide. The ultimate winner at the box office remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — Indian cinema is thriving in 2025.
Sources By Agencies
