In a surprising turn of events, the much-anticipated thriller “Vettaiyan,” helmed by director TJ Gnanavel and featuring a stellar cast including Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Manju Warrier, Fahadh Faasil, and others, is experiencing a significant downturn in box office collections as it enters its first Monday. After a robust extended opening weekend where it amassed a staggering Rs 116 crore across India, the film’s performance in Tamil Nadu is now raising concerns.
Reports indicate that “Vettaiyan,” known for its gripping narrative and star-studded lineup, has seen a steep decline with Monday’s collections expected to barely touch Rs 3.50 crore in Tamil Nadu alone. This plunge comes on the heels of a record-breaking Sunday where the film managed Rs 16 crore in the state, marking the lowest single-day figure since its release. Analysts now project that the film’s total earnings may struggle to breach the Rs 100 crore mark domestically, signaling challenges ahead for its global box office ambitions.
Despite initial optimism fueled by strong performances in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, coupled with an impressive international haul of approximately USD 8 million, “Vettaiyan” faces an uphill battle to sustain its momentum. With expectations tempered, achieving a global gross surpassing Rs 250 crore seems increasingly improbable.
Rajinikanth, whose last outing “Jailer” crossed the Rs 600 crore mark, now finds “Vettaiyan” poised to capture a smaller fraction of its predecessor’s success. Nonetheless, the film has already secured its position as one of Kollywood’s top earners of the year, trailing only behind “The Greatest Of All Time,” which grossed Rs 456 crore worldwide. As audiences await further developments, “Vettaiyan” continues to screen in theaters nationwide, aiming to navigate these turbulent waters in the competitive landscape of Indian cinema.