Riteish Deshmukh Reacts To Being Called 'Underrated' Amid 'Raid 2' Success, 'I Was The Guy Who...'

Riteish Deshmukh is currently riding high on the success of Raid 2, which has already minted more than Rs. 174 crore worldwide. Fans can’t stop raving about his dark, gripping portrayal of ‘Manohar Dhankar’, a.k.a ‘Dada Manohar Bhai’, a powerful and corrupt politician with a social worker image. Starring alongside Ajay Devgn and Vaani Kapoor, the actor has once again proved that he’s more than just a comedic genius. Given his versatility in playing diverse roles, fans are calling him an underrated actor who doesn’t seem to get his due for his acting chops. Recently, the actor addressed the same.

Riteish Deshmukh on being called underrated

Riteish Deshmukh has earned significant praise for his dark and villainous roles in various movies and shows. Most recently, his work in Raj Kumar Gupta’s Raid 2 has once again proved his impressive acting prowess. In a candid chat with Instant Bollywood, Riteish was asked whether he feels underrated or hasn’t received his due in the industry. Addressing the same, the Housefull actor shared that he feels like he gets much more than he deserves. In his words:

“I was the guy who thought my first film would be my last film, and I am sitting here, 22 years later and giving this interview. Mujhe meri aukaat se bohot bohot zyada mila hai.”

Talking about the impressive box office success of Raid 2, the actor shared that it feels like a ‘bonus’ that life has gifted him for his work. Reflecting on his achievement, Riteish remarked:

“Jab vo hota hai na acha kaam karne ke baad bohot zyada bonus mil jata hai, meri life ka wahi bonus chal raha hai”

Raid 2 box office collection

The much-anticipated sequel to Raid, Ajay Devgn's starrer from 2018, Raid 2 seems to have met the expectations. The film, which hit theatres on May 1, 2025, continues to draw crowds. With Rs. 125 crore in India and Rs. 169 crore globally in just 12 days, Raid 2 is one of the early commercial hits of 2025. Riteish’s role as a deceptive neta who locks horns with Ajay Devgn’s IRS officer has been one of the film’s standout elements. The star cast also features Vaani Kapoor, Rajat Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla, Supriya Pathak, and Amit Sial.

What’s next for Riteish?

Riteish Deshmukh has a busy year ahead. In addition to promoting his latest work, Raid 2, he is currently also in the middle of his passion project, Raja Shivaji, where he dons multiple hats as an actor, director, and producer. Based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the historical drama is being produced under his Mumbai Film Company in collaboration with Jio Studios. He also has the highly anticipated Dhamaal 4 in the pipeline. In addition, Ritiesh is gearing up for the upcoming release of the next instalment of the cult comedy film series, Housefull 5, slated for release on June 6, 2025.

What are your thoughts on Riteish’s journey and his humble take on success? 

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