April saw big names but no big hits at the box office. With films from stars like Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar, and Emraan Hashmi underperforming, all hopes are now pinned on May—and it’s starting with a bang. Ajay Devgn returns as the fearless Amay Patnaik in the highly anticipated Raid 2, releasing on May 1.

Advance Booking Off to a Strong Start

As the sequel to the 2018 hit Raid, expectations are sky-high. And the audience is showing up early—according to Saccanilk, over 56,000 tickets have already been sold as of 7 AM Tuesday, with advance booking collections touching Rs 1.68 crore. Including block seats, the number stands at an impressive Rs 3.12 crore across more than 5,000 shows.

Devgn’s Popularity Powers Regional Markets

Raid 2 is receiving a roaring response in Maharashtra, raking in Rs 46.69 lakh in advance bookings, followed by strong numbers in Delhi. After the lukewarm response to his earlier film Azad, Ajay Devgn is counting on Raid 2 to turn the tide. Adding to the buzz is Ritesh Deshmukh, who plays the villain—his grey-shaded roles have always clicked with audiences.

Clash of Titans: Ajay Devgn vs Nani

But the box office won’t be an easy ride. South Indian star Nani is also releasing his thriller Hit 3 on the same day. The film has already made waves, especially after RRR director S.S. Rajamouli joined the promotional event. In Tamil Nadu alone, Hit 3 has grossed Rs 1.70 crore in pre-sales, setting the stage for a fierce competition.

Current trends predict a Rs 6.8 crore opening for Raid 2. Will Ajay Devgn steal the show, or will Nani’s Hit 3 surprise everyone?

The big face-off is set—Raid 2 vs Hit 3—who will win May 1st?