Ajay Devgn has long been a stalwart of the Indian film industry, known for his intense performances, commanding screen presence, and consistent box office appeal. In 2025, his reputation as a bankable star has been further solidified with the roaring success of ‘Raid 2’, which has officially surpassed ‘Shaitaan’ to become the 6th biggest hit of his illustrious career.
This feat is especially notable considering that Shaitaan itself had a successful run earlier in 2024, cementing Devgn’s dual dominance at the box office within a span of just a year. Let’s dive into how Raid 2 achieved this milestone and what it means for Ajay Devgn’s career trajectory.
The Rise of ‘Raid 2’
Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, Raid 2 is the sequel to the 2018 film Raid, which portrayed a gripping real-life inspired story of an honest income tax officer who takes on a powerful politician. The original film was a sleeper hit and had earned accolades for its tight narrative, Devgn’s powerful performance, and its grounded storytelling.
With Raid 2, the stakes were higher — both in terms of storytelling and scale. Set against a fresh socio-political backdrop, the film retains its investigative core while incorporating more drama, suspense, and action. Ajay Devgn reprises his role as the no-nonsense officer, and his performance is again central to the film’s success.
The audience responded with enthusiasm right from the opening weekend. Thanks to positive word-of-mouth, strong performances, and a gripping narrative, Raid 2 maintained a steady run at the box office across both metro and tier-2 cities.
Box Office Numbers: Breaking Down the Success
Raid 2 has surpassed the lifetime box office collections of Shaitaan, which was another solid performer released in early 2024. According to trade analysts, Raid 2 raked in over ₹150 crore domestically, edging past Shaitaan’s ₹145 crore mark. This puts Raid 2 in the 6th spot among Ajay Devgn’s highest-grossing films.
Here’s a quick look at Ajay Devgn’s top 6 highest-grossing films as of 2025:
- Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior
- Drishyam 2
- Golmaal Again
- Singham Returns
- Total Dhamaal
- Raid 2
(Shaitaan now takes the 7th position.)
This placement is significant, especially considering Raid 2 is a socially-driven, content-heavy film — a genre that often faces stiff competition from big-budget commercial entertainers.
The Power of Content-Driven Cinema
What makes the success of Raid 2 particularly noteworthy is its genre. In an era where big action spectacles and franchise films dominate the box office, Raid 2 emerged as a winner without relying on flashy VFX or a multi-star cast. Instead, it succeeded on the strength of its storytelling, direction, and Devgn’s restrained, intense performance.
Audiences have increasingly shown appreciation for content-driven narratives that tackle real issues or portray grounded heroes. Raid 2 benefited from this shift in audience taste, reinforcing Ajay Devgn’s image as an actor who balances mass appeal with meaningful cinema.
Ajay Devgn: The Consistent Performer
Ajay Devgn’s career is a masterclass in adaptability. From intense dramas like Zakhm and The Legend of Bhagat Singh to mass entertainers like Singham and Golmaal, he has constantly reinvented himself. What stands out in 2024–2025 is his ability to lead two vastly different films — Shaitaan, a supernatural thriller, and Raid 2, a socio-political drama — to box office success.
His performance in Raid 2 is being praised not just for its gravitas but for its subtlety. It’s a role that plays to his strengths — quiet intensity, moral authority, and the ability to dominate a scene without resorting to theatrics.
With Raid 2, Devgn continues his legacy as one of the rare actors who can deliver both critical acclaim and commercial returns.
What’s Next for Ajay Devgn?
Following the success of movie, fans are eagerly awaiting his upcoming projects, including the much-anticipated ‘Singham Again’, which promises to be another blockbuster in the making. Devgn also has several productions lined up under his banner, spanning diverse genres and formats.
If this is any indication, Ajay Devgn is entering yet another golden phase of his career — one that combines meaningful storytelling with mass appeal, a feat few actors in Indian cinema can consistently achieve.
Final Thoughts
Raid 2 crossing the Shaitaan benchmark isn’t just a box office update; it’s a testament to Ajay Devgn’s enduring relevance and the audience’s increasing appetite for content-rich cinema. In an industry driven by trends, Devgn stands as a symbol of substance — and Raid 2 is a shining example of that legacy.
As fans celebrate this new milestone, one thing is clear: Ajay Devgn isn’t slowing down — he’s just getting started.
