Rashmika Mandanna has achieved a monumental feat in the Indian film industry by becoming the first actress to deliver three consecutive ₹500 crore blockbusters. In just over a year, she has not only proven her acting prowess but also established herself as one of the biggest box-office stars, surpassing some of the industry’s most established names. With her latest film Chhaava crossing the ₹500 crore mark, Rashmika’s track record of box office success is unparalleled. Let’s dive deeper into how this South Indian star has become a force to be reckoned with in Bollywood.
Rashmika’s latest film, Chhaava, directed by Laxman Utekar, has taken the box office by storm. The film, which was released in late February 2025, crossed the ₹500 crore blockbusters within just 23 days of its release, outperforming Gadar 2 which reached the same mark in 24 days.
The movie, set in the backdrop of historical Maratha times, features Vicky Kaushal as the brave Maratha ruler Sambhaji Maharaj, while Rashmika portrays Yesubai Bhonsale, a key figure in the Maratha Empire. Chhaava has already grossed ₹503.3 crore in India and is expected to surpass ₹525 crore in its fourth week. This massive success has cemented Rashmika’s place in the history books, as she becomes the first Indian actress to have three consecutive films earning over ₹500 crore at the box office.
Before Chhaava, Rashmika’s films Animal and Pushpa 2: The Rule had already crossed the ₹500 crore mark. Animal, a Hindi action drama starring Ranbir Kapoor, grossed ₹505 crore in Hindi and ₹556 crore globally. However, it was Pushpa 2: The Rule that truly elevated Rashmika’s status in the industry. The film, which was the much-anticipated sequel to the 2021 hit Pushpa: The Rise, raked in ₹830 crore worldwide, becoming the third-highest-grossing Indian film. Rashmika’s performance as Srivalli in Pushpa resonated deeply with audiences, making her a household name across India and beyond.
With Chhaava, Animal, and Pushpa 2 leading the charge, Rashmika’s films have collectively grossed more than ₹3300 crore worldwide, with ₹1850 crore of that amount coming from the Hindi-speaking market.
Rashmika’s rise is particularly impressive given her roots in Kannada and Telugu cinema. Over the years, she has evolved from a regional film star to a pan-India sensation. Despite the heavy presence of male superstars in the films she starred in, Rashmika’s performances have been praised by critics and audiences alike. Her portrayal of strong, dynamic characters in diverse genres has won her a dedicated fan base and the respect of the industry.
Chhaava, Animal, and Pushpa 2 all feature different time periods and settings, yet Rashmika has seamlessly adapted to each role, adding depth and authenticity to her performances. From playing the wife of a historical warrior in Chhaava to a fierce lover in Pushpa 2, Rashmika’s ability to portray strong female leads has been a key factor in her box-office dominance.
In fact, despite the massive star power of her male co-stars—Ranbir Kapoor in Animal and Allu Arjun in Pushpa 2—Rashmika’s presence on screen has been pivotal to the success of these films. Her on-screen chemistry with Vicky Kaushal in Chhaava has also received rave reviews, with audiences praising the duo’s compelling performances in this historical action drama.
Rashmika’s success is a rare achievement in the film industry, especially for an actress. Bollywood has often been dominated by male superstars, and even the highest-grossing films have struggled to provide consistent roles for women. Rashmika’s ability to consistently secure lead roles in multi-starrer films and deliver exceptional performances has set her apart. In the last two years, she has outshone other established actresses like Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt, who have had successful films but haven’t been able to maintain the same box-office streak that Rashmika has.
Her record-breaking success also points to a larger trend in Bollywood—female actors are increasingly becoming a crucial part of a film’s box-office success. Rashmika’s versatility and ability to star in diverse genres—from revenge sagas to historical dramas and pan-India action films—demonstrate the potential of actresses to be central to films’ box-office performance.
With three consecutive ₹500 crore films, Rashmika’s future in the industry looks more promising than ever. She is all set to star in a range of upcoming projects, including Sikandar alongside Bollywood megastar Salman Khan, Thama, Kubera, The Girlfriend, and Pushpa 3: The Rampage. These films have raised expectations, and fans are eager to see if Rashmika can continue her box-office streak with her upcoming releases.
Her upcoming film Sikandar, in particular, is generating a lot of buzz, as it pairs her with Salman Khan, one of the biggest stars in the industry. Additionally, Pushpa 3 is expected to further cement her position as one of the most bankable stars in the film industry, as the Pushpa franchise continues to dominate the global box office.
As industry experts and fans eagerly await her upcoming projects, one thing is certain—Rashmika Mandanna’s reign at the box office is far from over. Whether she continues her streak with Sikandar, Pushpa 3, or any of her other exciting upcoming films, Rashmika is undoubtedly here to stay and is set to take the Indian film industry by storm for years to come.
