Rashmika Mandanna is on the verge of rewriting Indian cinema history as her latest film, Chhaava, storms toward Rs 500 crore nett at the Indian box office. Playing Maharani Yesubai in the biopic of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj alongside Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika has propelled the February 14 release into its third blockbuster week. If Chhaava crosses the Rs 500 crore mark, she’ll become the first Indian actress to boast three films in this elite club, surpassing Deepika Padukone’s current record of two—Pathaan and Jawan, both 2023 Shah Rukh Khan starrers.

Rashmika’s post-COVID box office streak is unmatched. Her earlier hits, Pushpa 2: The Rule and Animal, each soared past Rs 500 crore nett in India, cementing her as a pan-India powerhouse. Chhaava now stands poised to join them, marking her third such triumph. Meanwhile, Deepika’s reign as the Rs 500 crore queen faces its first real challenge since her 2023 double triumph.

The rivalry extends to the Rs 100 crore club too. Deepika has held the lead among Indian actresses with five post-COVID entries: Pathaan, Jawan, 83, Fighter, and Kalki 2898 AD. Rashmika matches her with Pushpa: The Rise, Pushpa 2: The Rule, Varisu, Animal, and Chhaava—and she’s not stopping there. With Sikandar, Kubera, and Thama slated for 2025, Rashmika could soon claim the top spot, especially if Salman Khan’s Eid-bound Sikandar delivers as anticipated, potentially marking his box office resurgence.

As Chhaava continues its dominant run, Rashmika’s ascent signals a shift in Bollywood’s hierarchy. Deepika’s records, once untouchable, now face a formidable contender whose golden touch is reshaping the industry’s financial landscape.