🎭 Kollywood News & Entertainment

Kollywood

BY Christa Lincy 📰 News

Madharaasi at the Crossroads: After a ₹41.3 Cr(net) Run, Can It Power into 2025’s Top 10 Tamil Grossers?

After opening to an impressive reception, Madharaasi, the high-octane psychological action thriller starring Sivakarthikeyan and directed by AR Murugadoss, has now entered a crucial stage in its box office journey. The film launched theatrically on September 5, 2025, with strong buzz and high expectations. Over its opening weekend, the film performed well, especially in Tamil Nadu and urban centers. However, Monday brought a sharp decline, raising questions about its long-term sustainability. ##Have a glance at the day wise box office collection India Gross ##.Day 1 (Friday), Madharaasi collected ₹16 crore ##.Day 2 (Saturday) this was followed by ₹14.25 crore ##.Day 3 (Sunday) ₹13.4 crore , bringing the 3-day domestic total to ₹43.65 crore ##.Day 4 (Monday) collection dropped significantly to ₹4.85 crore, marking a steep ~70% decline compared to its opening day. ##As of the end of Day 4, the film’s India net total stands at ₹41.30 crore, and the gross domestic total is approximately ₹48.73 crore. Globally, Madharaasi has grossed over ₹63 crore so far.Audience feedback has been a mix of appreciation and caution—while Sivakarthikeyan’s intense transformation and the film’s sleek action sequences earned praise, the second half’s pacing and psychological elements drew divided reactions. On platforms like BookMyShow and IMDb, the film holds a moderately positive score, indicating a strong opening pull with slightly dampened repeat value. Critics have noted this as one of Sivakarthikeyan’s boldest roles to date, applauding his shift from light-hearted, family-friendly entertainers to darker, more layered characters. In comparison to his recent films, Madharaasi outpaces the opening numbers of Amaran and Don, signaling growth in his mass appeal. For AR Murugadoss, this marks his first theatrical release after a brief hiatus post-Darbar, and while it may not rival the box office dominance of Thuppakki or Sarkar, it does re-establish his relevance in high-concept commercial cinema. Despite the drop, the film is poised to enter the Top 10 Kollywood grossers of 2025 shortly. ##However, its budget—estimated around ₹180 crore—means it still has a long way to go before turning a profit. Analysts estimate the film needs to gross at least ₹150–170 crore worldwide to break even. Factors like upcoming holidays , overseas traction in Tamil-centric markets, and limited regional competition could help the film regain momentum. If weekday collections hold steady and word-of-mouth improves, Madharaasi still has a chance to evolve from a strong opener into a long-running hit. But for now, it stands at a crossroad: promising start, wobbly weekday, and everything riding on the second weekend.

309 days ago

46.1K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Sivakarthikeyan's Madharaasi vs Amaran Box Office: State-Wise Opening Weekend Comparison

Chennai, September 8 - The rising Tamil star Sivakarthikeyan's psychological action thriller film Madharaasi opened in the worldwide cinemas this weekend. Despite the low buzz, the film managed to make a mark at the box office with a good collection in India and overseas. Directed by AR Murugadoss, Madharaasi marks his maiden collaboration with Sivakarthikeyan and a reunion with Vidyut Jammwal. The film opened to mostly positive reviews in the home market, particularly in Tamil Nadu, and a mixed reception elsewhere, which was also reflected in its opening weekend business. Madharasi scored a hat-trick of double-digit scores in Tamil Nadu, even though the trend remained on the downward side. After opening to over 12+ crores gross, the film scored 11 crores on Saturday and around 10.50 crores on Sunday to close the opening weekend with approximately 34 crores gross in the state. Overall, Madharaasi grossed approximately 43 crores opening weekend in India, which is the second biggest for Sivakarthikeyan after Amaran, which minted big 95+ crores in its 4-day weekend in 2024. Overseas, the latest blockbuster has scored an estimated 20 crores gross, pushing its worldwide collection to around 63 crores. In comparison, Amaran had scored 140 crores worldwide. While the opening weekend collections of Madharasi are respectable, it becomes crucial for the film to hold well in the coming days to emerge as a box office hit. Despite the positive reviews, the downward trend in the home state could be a concern for the film, and it needs to be seen how it fares during the weekdays. Have A Look At The Opening Weekend (Friday-Sunday) State-Wise Box Office Comparison of Madharaasi and Amaran (est.) Region/State Madharaasi GBOC Amaran GBOC Tamil Nadu ₹34.00 Cr ₹50.10 Cr Karnataka ₹3.75 Cr ₹5.55 Cr AP/TG ₹4.00 Cr ₹11.50 Cr Kerala ₹1.40 Cr ₹3.15 Cr Rest of India ₹0.70 Cr ₹0.60 Cr Total ₹43.85 Cr ₹70.90 Cr Stay tuned...

311 days ago

20K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Kamal Haasan Confirms Mega-Collab With Rajinikanth in Lokesh Kanagaraj Film

Chennai, September 7 - The stars have officially aligned for what can be called one of the biggest collaborations in Indian cinema as legendary Kamal Haasan has confirmed that he will be reuniting with superstar Rajinikanth for a multistarrer, likely to be directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. It was recently reported that Lokesh has narrated a script to both the Indian cinema legends, and now, the official confirmation straight from the horse's mouth has already sent waves of excitement across the film industry and among fans who have been waiting for decades to see the two legends share the screen again. Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, who started their careers together in the 1970s, last acted in full-fledged roles opposite each other over four decades ago. While both went on to carve their own iconic paths in Indian cinema, their on-screen reunion has always remained a dream for cinephiles. The official confirmation was made during the SIIMA award event, when the host asked Kamal Haasan about the rumours of his reunion with Rajinikanth. The Vikram star said that he and Rajinikanth were supposed to collaborate long back, but they are indeed coming together. #KamalHaasan confirms collaboration with #Rajinikanth in #LokeshKanagaraj film🥵:"Rajini & myself are supposed to collaborate long back🫰. It might be surprise business wise😀. We can't say if it's Tharamana Sambavam🥶. If audience like, we are happy♥️" pic.twitter.com/3IxaxGRXpJ— AmuthaBharathi (@CinemaWithAB) September 7, 2025 "Rajini and I were supposed to collaborate long back. It might be a surprise, business-wise. We can’t say if it’s Tharamana Sambavam. If the audience likes, we are happy," Haasan said, adding, "For me, it is another chance. You may think we will compete with one another, but I see it as a chance to work with him. Other than that, there is nothing more." Even though Kamal Haasan didn't say anything about who will direct the film, the news of Lokesh is already out in the media. It will also mark his reunion with both the legendary stars, after Vikram with KH and recently released Coolie with Thalaivaar. Lokesh Kanagaraj has become one of the most sought-after filmmakers of this generation, known for his stylish narratives and the much-talked-about Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). Though details about the film are being kept under wraps, the combination of Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Lokesh has already made this project one of the most anticipated films of all time. Stay tuned...

311 days ago

15.1K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Madharaasi Box Office: Sivakarthikeyan Scores His Second Biggest Opener Worldwide; Solid In Tamil Nadu

Chennai, September 6 – Sivakarthikeyan's much-awaited psychological action-drama Madharaasi has taken a good start at the worldwide box office, registering the actor's second-best opening day collections to date. The film, directed by AR Murugadoss, arrived with high expectations and good pre-release buzz, which translated into impressive footfalls on its first day. Madharaasi collected over 21 crores gross worldwide, making it the second-biggest opener for Sivakarthikeyan after Amaran (34.70 crores). In India, Madharasi scored around 16 crores, including 12+ gross in Tamil Nadu. This also makes it Siva's second biggest opener in India as well as in his home state. The film witnessed strong occupancy across major cities, while Tier-2 centres also contributed significantly to the overall numbers. The movie had good advance booking trends, thanks to the late push ahead of release, which set the stage for a good start, coupled with Sivakarthikeyan’s growing popularity among family and youth audiences. The festive weekend and positive initial word of mouth are expected to further boost collections in the coming days. If the momentum continues, Madharaasi has the potential to become one of the highest-grossing films in Sivakarthikeyan's career. Early audience reactions highlight the film's gripping storyline, mass appeal, and the lead cast's power-packed performance as the major driving factors behind its opening. With competition from other Tamil releases being limited this week, Madharaasi enjoys a clear run at the box office and is likely to post robust numbers through the weekend. It can also prove to be a solid comeback for director Murugadoss, after the failure of Sikandar, if momentum sustains. Stay tuned...

313 days ago

20.9K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Coolie OTT Release Date Out: Rajinikanth Starrer to Stream Post Box Office Underperformance

Chennai, September 4 - Superstar Rajinikanth’s much-awaited gangster action drama Coolie is set to make its digital debut earlier than anticipated following its underwhelming box office performance. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the film hit theatres on August 14, ahead of the Independence Day holiday. On Thursday (September 4), the makers officially confirmed the post-theatrical digital release. Coolie will begin streaming on Amazon Prime Video from September 11, just four weeks after its theatrical release, in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada languages. The Hindi version remains uncertain, with reports suggesting that it will premiere digitally only after eight weeks, sometime in the second week of October, due to an existing pre-agreement with multiplex chains. Earlier speculations indicated that no version of Coolie would release digitally before eight weeks, but the latest announcement confirms otherwise. Produced by Sun Pictures, the film opened to massive hype, and a robust opening weekend gross of nearly 400 crore worldwide justified that same. However, collections dipped sharply in the following weeks, and the movie is now expected to finish below a disappointing 525 crore globally. Coolie marked the first collaboration between Rajinikanth and Lokesh, as it also stars Nagarjuna Akkineni, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj and Rachita Ram, with Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde in special appearances. In the film, a former coolie union leader investigates the death of his friend, which leads him to a crime syndicate. Stay tuned...

315 days ago

15.9K views

Kollywood

BY Christa Lincy 📰 News

Leo vs. Madharaasi: Is Sivakarthikeyan the New Future of Tamil Cinema?

Chennai, September 4 - A titan of Tamil cinema with a legacy spanning over three decades, Vijay has consistently delivered blockbuster films that not only shattered box office records but also created lasting cultural moments. His influence runs deep in the industry, making him a truly irreplaceable figure—a sentiment echoed even by Sivakarthikeyan, who stated, "No one can replace the legacy of Vijay." Meanwhile, Sivakarthikeyan, whose upcoming film Madharaasi is set to release on September 5, 2025, stands at the threshold of superstardom. With a string of successful and diverse films like Doctor, Don, Maaveeran, and Amaran, he has carved out a unique identity for himself among the new generation of Tamil actors. The buzz around a potential "passing of the baton" gained traction when Vijay, in GOAT, was seen handing a gun to Sivakarthikeyan in a scene that many interpreted symbolically—as if the future of Tamil cinema was being entrusted to him. However, Sivakarthikeyan was quick to clarify that he viewed the moment as a gesture of affection and support, not succession. He added, "I cannot replicate Vijay sir's journey; I have to create my own," and emphasised that, "There can only be one Thalapathy... nobody can replace them." Industry sentiment also seems to reflect this transitional phase. Director AR Murugadoss, who is helming Madharaasi, praised Sivakarthikeyan's openness to work with emerging directors—likening it to the early encouragement once given by stars like Vijay and Ajith. With Vijay gradually shifting focus towards politics, many analysts suggest that Tamil cinema may be entering a new era—one where content-driven narratives and new-age stars could take centre stage. Sivakarthikeyan's recent blockbuster Amaran (2024) stands as a testament to his growing mass appeal—it was one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of the year. The upcoming Pongal 2026 is already setting the stage for a high-stakes box office clash, with Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi slated to go head-to-head against Vijay’s Jana Nayagan. The matchup is generating intense excitement, symbolic of the ongoing narrative in the industry. Fan discussions across social media and forums reflect a divided yet hopeful tone. Some argue that "Sivakarthikeyan has the potential among everyone else to be the next superstar," while others suggest that the era of actors alone pulling crowds is fading: "Hereafter, there will not be a massive pull to theatres just due to superstar image... content matters." These perspectives suggest that while Sivakarthikeyan has undeniable momentum, achieving the rare air of legacy-level superstardom will require continued evolution and impact. In conclusion, the narrative isn't about replacement but progression. Vijay remains an irreplaceable icon—his career defined by decades of discipline, devotion, and triumph. Sivakarthikeyan, rather than stepping into his shoes, is building his own bridge—connecting respect for the past with a clear, forward-looking vision. The excitement around him is real, and whether or not he becomes “the next Vijay,” he’s already proving to be a leading voice in shaping Tamil cinema’s future.

315 days ago

14.8K views

Kollywood

BY Christa Lincy 📰 News

From Thuppakki to Sarkar: AR Murugadoss’s Legacy Meets the Rise of Madharaasi

AR Murugadoss, one of Tamil cinema’s most commercially successful directors, has delivered multiple blockbusters over the years, including Thuppakki (2012), Kaththi (2014), and Sarkar (2018)—all starring Vijay—and now returns with Madharaasi (2025), this time teaming up with Sivakarthikeyan. Each film showcases a unique combination of star power and technical finesse. ## Thuppakki, with music by Harris Jayaraj and cinematography by Santosh Sivan, was one of the first Tamil films to gross over ₹100 crore, eventually earning ₹130 crore worldwide. It featured slick action sequences and won 19 awards across various categories.## Here are some of its box office milestones:## 1.It was Vijay's first film to achieve a worldwide collection of over ₹100 crore. 2. The film set a new record for the highest opening day collection in Tamil Nadu, netting around ₹9.2 crores. 3. It was the highest-grossing film of 2012 in the Tamil film industry. ## Kaththi, starring Vijay in dual roles with music by Anirudh Ravichander, earned over ₹132 crore and bagged over 30 major awards despite controversies. Here are some of the key box office records achieved by Kaththi: ## 1. The film quickly surpassed the ₹100 crore mark worldwide, achieving it in just 12 days.  2. It set a new record for the biggest first-day collection in the South Indian film industry, collecting ₹23.8 crore on its opening day. 3. The movie was the second-highest-grossing Tamil film of 2014. 4. The film marked the third consecutive ₹100 crore film for director A.R. Murugadoss, following Thuppakki and Holiday. ## Sarkar, backed by AR Rahman’s music and bold political themes, became Murugadoss’s highest-grossing film with over ₹250 crore in worldwide collections. The movie, which marked the third collaboration of AR Murugadoss and Vijay, has grossed over Rs 30 crore in Tamil Nadu on day one, thereby setting a huge benchmark in the state where it released in almost 650 screens. This was the sixth 100-crore grosser for Vijay and fourth in a row after Theri, Bairavaa and Mersal. ## Sarkar Box Office Records (2018): 1. All-Time Tamil Nadu 1st Day Record. 2. 4th Biggest South India Opening Record. 3. Non-Rajini Day 1 Record. 4. Collected around Worldwide 107cr share in the first week. 5. 3rd million-dollar movie in the USA, after Theri and Mersal. 6. 1st 250cr grosser for Vijay. ## Now, Madharaasi, set to release on September 5, 2025, marks Murugadoss's first collaboration with Sivakarthikeyan and features a stellar crew including editor A. Sreekar Prasad, cinematographer Sudeep Elamon, and action director Kevin Kumar. Interestingly, the protagonist's role was originally pitched to Shah Rukh Khan nearly a decade ago, reflecting Murugadoss's long-standing pan-Indian vision. ## The film also reunites Vidyut Jammwal with Murugadoss after Thuppakki and includes a director cameo, following his tradition in earlier films. Behind-the-scenes footage has already teased Sivakarthikeyan’s intense action preparation, and the buzz around this project suggests it may represent the next evolution of Murugadoss’s cinematic legacy. ## While its box office performance is yet to be seen, Madharaasi is clearly positioned to be a high-stakes, technically ambitious venture that aims to bridge the blockbuster formula of his Vijay-led hits with a new-age, content-driven storytelling approach suited to today’s audiences. ## From redefining Tamil cinema’s box office standards with Thuppakki to scaling new commercial heights with Sarkar, A.R. Murugadoss has consistently blended mass appeal with cinematic craft. His films with Vijay not only delivered blockbuster earnings—each crossing the coveted ₹100 crore mark—but also set multiple records in opening-day collections, award wins, and overseas performance. With Madharaasi (2025), Murugadoss embarks on a fresh chapter alongside Sivakarthikeyan, bringing a new face to his signature high-octane storytelling. If history is any indicator, Madharaasi could very well be the next landmark in Tamil cinema’s evolving commercial narrative. ## Stay tuned... ##

315 days ago

31.8K views

Kollywood

BY Christa Lincy 📰 News

Sivakarthikeyan’s Cinematic Shift: Ayalaan to Amaran, and the Rise of Madharaasi

Sivakarthikeyan's evolution in Tamil cinema has been marked by increasingly ambitious projects, notably Ayalaan, Amaran, and the upcoming Madharaasi. Released in January 2024 after years of delay, Ayalaan was a sci-fi fantasy directed by R. Ravikumar and featured Sivakarthikeyan alongside Rakul Preet Singh with music by A.R. Rahman. ## The film's novelty lay in its alien-centric plot and extensive VFX work, which took over four years to complete. Despite pacing criticisms, it found favour with family audiences and collected an estimated ₹75 crore globally, with around ₹50 crore from Tamil Nadu. ## In contrast, Amaran, released in October 2024, was a patriotic war biopic based on Major Mukund Varadarajan, directed by Rajkumar Periyasamy and co-starring Sai Pallavi. Produced by Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Films International, it became a major commercial and critical success, grossing ₹333.67 crore worldwide. ## It broke multiple records, becoming the second-highest-grossing Tamil film of 2024 and the eighth-highest of all time in the language, with a strong emotional core that resonated widely. Interestingly, despite fewer screens, Amaran outperformed bigger-budget films in footfalls, with audiences and critics praising its heartfelt storytelling and war sequences. ## Here is a list of his notable movies that grossed 100 cr:  ## Doctor (2021) - ₹ 100.5 Cr ## Don: (2022) - ₹ 114 Cr ## Amaran (2024) - ₹ 333.67 Cr ##Now, anticipation surrounds Madharaasi, a psychological action thriller slated for release in September 2025. Directed by A.R. Murugadoss and featuring music by Anirudh Ravichander, the film boasts a strong ensemble cast including Vidyut Jammwal, Biju Menon, and Vikranth. ## Backed by a big budget, it is expected to push Sivakarthikeyan further into mass action territory while offering depth through Murugadoss’s signature narrative style. In essence, while Ayalaan showcased Sivakarthikeyan’s genre experimentation, Amaran proved his mettle in serious cinema and box office dominance, and Madharaasi could be the defining next step in an already remarkable career. ## Stat tuned...

315 days ago

29.1K views

Kollywood

BY Christa Lincy 📰 News

TV to ₹300 Crore Club: Sivakarthikeyan’s Unstoppable Climb

Sivakarthikeyan's journey from a television anchor to one of Tamil cinema’s most celebrated stars is a testament to his talent, resilience, and deep connection with audiences. Hailing from Singampunari, Tamil Nadu, and initially trained as an engineer with an MBA, he burst onto the scene by winning Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? in 2006 and later gained popularity as a television host on Star Vijay. ## Siva's big-screen debut came with a supporting role in 3 (2012), but it was Marina (2012) that introduced him as a lead. From there, he delivered a string of successful comedies like Ethir Neechal, Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam, and Maan Karate, each building his fanbase. Maan Karate notably became his first ₹50 crore grosser, establishing his commercial pull. He continued his success with Rajini Murugan, Remo, and Velaikkaran, films that cemented his status as a dependable box office draw.## Titles like Namma Veettu Pillai (₹63 crore) and Maaveeran (₹78.4 crore) maintained his momentum, but Doctor (2021) was the game-changer—it became his first film to cross ₹100 crore globally. Don (2022) followed with ₹114 crore, solidifying his place among Tamil cinema’s elite. In 2024, he delivered his career’s biggest hit with Amaran, a patriotic war biopic that grossed over ₹212 crore in just 10 days and eventually surpassed ₹300 crore, placing him in the top echelons of Indian cinema. ## Box Office Performance of SK's FilmsMovie TitleYearBox Office(₹ crore)Marina 20125.47Manam Kothi Paravai20125Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga 201310.85Ethir Neechal 201323Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam 201330(First week in TamilNaduMaan Karate 201427Kaaki Sattai 201529Rajini Murugan 201657.45Remo 201675.85Velaikkaran 201786SeemaRaja 201863.85Mr.Local 201925Namma veetu Pillai 201963Hero 201949Doctor 2021100.5Don 2022114Maaveeran 202378.4Ayalaan 202476.5Amaran 2024333.67## Sivakarthikeyan is known for his clean, family-friendly entertainment. He has also explored singing, lyric writing, and production, debuting as a producer with Kanaa (2018). Without any film industry background, he has emerged as a self-made star, whose inspiring career arc—from mimicry and stand-up to headlining ₹300 crore blockbusters—continues to motivate aspiring talents across the industry. ## Stay tuned...

315 days ago

56.9K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Coolie Worldwide Box Office Collection: Rajinikanth's Actioner Battles Its Way To 500 Crore

Chennai, August 29 - It has been on a roller-coaster ride for superstar Rajinikanth's gangster action drama Coolie at the worldwide box office, even as it is crossing the magical milestone of 500 crores gross collection globally at the end of today (16th day). Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie set the cash registers on fire upon its release, scoring the biggest opening ever for a Tamil film, followed by the record opening weekend. It had all the cards in its hands, but the momentum quickly slipped away once the weekend was over. What started as an earth-shattering domination has now turned into a slow crawl. Even the 500 crores mark looked far away when the film ended its opening week, but thanks to little growth over the second weekend, and steady trend at the low level since then, Coolie will cross the mark, and become only the 4th Tamil title ever to do so Ideally, Coolie should have achieved the milestone in the opening week itself or at the beginning of the second weekend at max, but it wasn't to be, as it has battled its way to reach the figure. While the initial buzz and Rajinikanth's unmatched star power carried it to early glory, sustaining numbers have proven to be challenging amid poor reviews and mixed word-of-mouth. Even with the slowdown, crossing 500 crores would cement Coolie as another major win for Rajinikanth, keeping him firmly in the race with fellow Tamil superstar Thalapathy Vijay in the post-pandemic box office charts. The veteran superstar now has three films in the 500 crores club (including 2.0 and Jailer), making him the only Tamil hero to have this honour. Thalapathy Vijay has one film in the club with Leo. Stay tuned...

321 days ago

23.3K views

Kollywood

BY Sacnilk Team 📰 News

Dude Buzz: Pradeep Ranganathan's Next Targets Gen Z With Humour and Heart

Chennai, August 29 - Tamil actor and filmmaker Pradeep Ranganathan is emerging as the favourite youngster among the fans as he has impressed one and all, especially the Gen Z, with the kind of films he has done in his short career he has had so far. He made his debut as a director with Comali (2019), in which he also played a cameo, as the movie became a blockbuster. His directorial debut, quickly followed by his acting debut as a lead hero with Love Today (2022), which he also directed. It became a phenomenal success and made him one of the most relatable storytellers for today's audience. Pradeep's knack for mixing humour with heartfelt emotions struck a chord with both youngsters and families, and now, the filmmaker-turned-actor is all set to return with his next project, Dude. Touted as a youth-driven entertainer, Dude is said to be an emotional action drama centred on themes of love, betrayal, and vengeance. With its catchy title and Pradeep himself fronting the project, Dude is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Tamil films of 2025. If Love Today was about love and technology colliding, Dude might just be the ultimate Gen Z anthem for cinema lovers. Directed by Keerthiswaran and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, Dude stars Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju in the lead roles, alongside R. Sarathkumar, Hridhu Haroon and Rohini. The film is scheduled to release on October 21, coinciding with Diwali. Stay tuned...

321 days ago

14.4K views

Kollywood

BY Christa Lincy 📰 News

Anticipation is real! Which Tamil movie are you ready to watch on the big screen?

Tamil cinema fans, brace yourselves—several highly anticipated releases are headed your way, and we’re curious: which one are you most excited for? ##Idli Kadai, Dhanush’s fourth directorial outing, hits theaters on October 1, boasting a vibrant rural backdrop, music by G. V. Prakash, and a stellar cast including Nithya Menen, Arun Vijay, Shalini Pandey, Sathyaraj, plus a cameo by R. Parthiban. ##Meanwhile, Parasakthi, directed by Sudha Kongara and starring Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa, and Sreeleela, is a gripping political period drama set during the Anti‑Hindi agitations of 1965. With music by G. V. Prakash Kumar and scenes shot across Chennai, Pollachi, Madurai, and Sri Lanka, it is slated for a grand Pongal 2026 release. Interestingly, the film takes inspiration from the iconic 1952 Parasakthi, honoring its legacy while telling a new, powerful story for today’s generation. ##Then there’s STR 49, starring Silambarasan TR and directed by Parking fame Ramkumar Balakrishnan, which aims to be a dark, stylish commercial entertainer set in a college backdrop. The cast includes Santhanam (reuniting with STR after a decade), Kayadu Lohar as the female lead, and Ravi Kishan in a supporting role. With cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa, art direction by Subentar PL, and music by Sai Abhyankkar, the film explores a mysterious dual life—hinted at in its first look, where STR is shown holding both an engineering book and a bloodied butcher’s knife. Despite early production delays and rumors of creative friction, the film is now back on track, with the director recently confirming that script work is progressing toward a full-scale revival. ##Karuppu, directed by RJ Balaji and led by Suriya and Trisha, is a compelling courtroom drama exploring caste and social justice—initially planned for Diwali, but now expected to release around Pongal 2026. ##Indian 3, the much-awaited sequel directed by S. Shankar and starring Kamal Haasan, SJ Suryah, Kajal Aggarwal, and Siddharth, continues its massive production journey and is expected to follow soon after Indian 2. ##Finally, Jananayagan, featuring Thalapathy Vijay, is still under tight wraps with no official details on its cast, crew, or plot revealed yet. ##So tell us—which upcoming Tamil film has you counting down the days?

321 days ago

14.7K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Post-Pandemic Tamil Cinema Box Office: Thalapathy Vijay Leads With 1800 Crore, Rajinikanth Follows Closely in Second Place

Chennai, August 26 - Tamil cinema has looked like a completely different beast at the box office in the post-pandemic era, where the industry delivered massive results in India and overseas. While there is still one missing piece (1000 crores grosser), the industry has witnessed three 500+ crore grossers, a milestone, which was achieved only once before the health crisis. Amid the rising popularity of Tamil cinema, two names continue to dominate the industry — Thalapathy Vijay and Superstar Rajinikanth, who are miles ahead of the rest of the others. Between 2021 and 2025, the two megastars have collectively grossed nearly 3,400 crore worldwide, proving their unmatched star power and consistent ability to draw audiences to theatres. Thalapathy Vijay leads the chart with an estimated 1,800 crore gross from his five films released after the pandemic. Starting with Master, with blockbusters like Beast, Varisu, Leo, and The GOAT, Vijay has delivered two 300+ crore grossers (Leo and The GOAT), with Varisu missed the milestone by a couple of crores, while Master and Beast finished over 200 crores globally, strengthening his position as the number one star of Tamil cinema in terms of box office pull. Vijay's ability to cater to both mass and family audiences has ensured strong openings and sustained runs globally. Leo, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, remains his biggest grosser with 606 crores worldwide. The actor has one more film, Jana Nayagan, on Pongal 2026, before he hangs up his boots to join politics full-time. With his decision of not doing films anymore, the industry will be up without its biggest crowd-puller, someone who was the only challenge to superstar Rajinikanth. The 75-year-old Rajinikanth is not far behind Vijay in terms of delivering massive box office results. The veteran actor's films (including Lal Salaam) have amassed around 1600 crore worldwide during the same period. Movies like Annaatthe, Jailer, Vettaiyan, and his latest gangster action drama Coolie have reaffirmed Rajinikanth's status as the ultimate crowd-puller. His films continue to shatter records with massive openings, particularly in Tamil Nadu, and also enjoy remarkable runs in overseas markets. In the post-COVID period, Rajinikanth has delivered two record 500+ crores grossers (Jailer and Coolie), while Vettaiyan finished around 250 crores, and Annaatthe missed the double century mark by around 28 crores gross. Jailer (605 crores) remains the biggest grosser of the superstar during the period. Going ahead, Thalaivaar has a potential record-breaking blockbuster in the pipeline, including Jailer 2, and a multistarrer film with Lokesh Kanagaraj. The numbers underline how Tamil cinema has become a driving force in Indian box office collections post-COVID, with both Vijay and Rajinikanth proving their supremacy. Rajinikanth will most probably overtake Vijay with the kind of films he has, especially with Vijay retiring from films after Jana Nayagan. While Tamil cinema will be without Thalapathy, Thalaivaar is expected to fill his void in the long run. Stay tuned...

324 days ago

21.4K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rajinikanth Starrer Coolie Crosses 300 Crore in India, Beats Thalapathy Vijay's The GOAT, and Joins Elite Tamil List of Jailer, Leo, and Two More

Chennai, August 25 - Superstar Rajinikanth's latest release Coolie has stormed past the 300 crore mark in India within just 11 days of release, becoming only the 5th Tamil movie of all-time to achieve the feat. It has joined the elite 300 crores club, which also features 2.0, Leo, Jailer, and Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1. The Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial opened to massive hype and lived up to the expectations, setting the cash registers ringing right through the opening weekend. But after that, the movie went off track, failing to build on the big opening weekend collection. Crossing 300 crore in just 11 days places Coolie among the fastest Tamil films to achieve the landmark. By doing this, it has crossed the lifetime total of Thalapathy Vijay's The GOAT, which grossed approximately 296 crores domestically last year. With Coolie joining the 300 crore domestic club, Rajinikanth now shares the stage with himself - Jailer (408.50 crores), and 2.0 (519 crores)**, Vijay's Leo (402 crores), and director Mani Ratnam's multistarrer Ponniyin Selvan - 1 (313 crores). Director Shankar's sci-fi actioner 2 Point 0 continues to remain the biggest domestic Tamil grosser with around 520 crores. Produced by Sun Pictures, Coolie will surpass PS-1 in the coming days to become the 4th biggest Tamil grosser in India and is likely to finish with this position. The gangster action drama, despite breaching this milestone, has clearly underperformed and will end up as a flop venture. Stay tuned...

324 days ago

18.1K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rajinikanth's Coolie Takes a Tumble at Global Box Office in Second Weekend

Chennai, August 25 - There was no respite for superstar Rajinikanth's Coolie, which witnessed a sharp drop of around 90% from the thunderous opening frame at the worldwide box office. The movie did show some momentum with growth over Saturday and Sunday, but it was not enough to cover the lost ground it suffered during the weekdays. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the gangster action drama grossed an estimated ₹39-40 crores at the worldwide box office in the second weekend, compared to around 385 crores in the first frame. The drop is around 90% which is beyond repair. The film's total collection after 11 days is around 480 crores worldwide. The growth during the weekend, however, shows that Coolie will manage to surpass 500 crores worldwide, a milestone which once looked like a cake walk before it became an uphill task with the weekdays' trajectory. After the record-breaking opening weekend, the film managed only around 54 crores from Monday to Thursday, which made the second weekend growth negligible. It would have been nice had the second weekend drop been around 75%, but that couldn't be possible due to the weak trend after the opening weekend. Through the second Sunday, the film has grossed approximately 305 crores in India and 175 crores overseas, heading towards a total of around 525 crores at the end of its run. Coolie will end up as a box office flop, despite possibly grossing over 500 crores worldwide, which would make it only the fourth Tamil title ever to achieve this feat. The expectations were high from this Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial, but poor reviews and mixed audience reception didn't allow the film to fly at the box office. Stay tuned...

325 days ago

32.2K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rajinikanth's Coolie Conquers the North American Box Office, Becomes Biggest Tamil Grosser By Beating Jailer

Los Angeles, August 24 - Superstar Rajinikanth's Coolie may not have performed as expected at the Indian box office, but the gangster action drama has taken the North American box office by storm, and created history by becoming the highest-grossing Tamil movie of all time there. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie has so far grossed approximately $6.72 million (58.65 crores) in North America, which makes it the biggest Tamil grosser in this region, according to the official update from the makers. By doing this, it has beaten Rajinikanth's own blockbuster Jailer. There is a difference between the trade and the official estimated collection of Jailer regarding the North American market. Released in 2023, Nelson Dilipkumar's directorial had grossed $7.25 million (60+ crores) in NA, as per the trade estimates, but the latest update from the makers paints a different picture. Jailer was also produced by Sun Pictures and was distributed by Prime Media in North America. Despite the record-breaking run in North America, trade debates that Coolie failed to use the full potential of it there, especially after $3 million premiere day. There was a massive hype for this, but the poor reviews and mixed word of mouth cut short its potential. At the worldwide box office, Coolie has clearly underperformed as it has been struggling to touch 500 crores worldwide, despite the biggest opening weekend of 385 crores for a Tamil film. In 11 days, the movie is expected to be around 478-480 crores gross. The film is expected to finish its run with around 525 crores worldwide. Stay tuned...

325 days ago

19K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rajinikanth's Coolie Joins Elite Top 5 Tamil Grossers Amid Underperformance

Chennai, August 23 - It has been a week of joy and, at the same time, disappointment for superstar Rajinikanth's gangster action drama Coolie, and amid all this, the film has entered the all-time top 5 biggest grossers of Tamil cinema at the worldwide box office. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie had a record-breaking opening day, followed by the opening weekend, but it dropped drastically during the weekdays, which was expected, given the poor reviews and mixed word of mouth. But at the same time, it comes as a shock to the industry, which was anticipating it to become the biggest grosser of the film. Nonetheless, amid the disappointment of not achieving the ultimate goal, Coolie will still finish as one of the biggest Tamil grossers of all time. On its 10th day, the Rajinikanth-starrer surpassed the lifetime collection of Thalapathy Vijay's The GOAT (457 crores), and became the 5th biggest Tamil grosser of all-time. Ideally, Coolie should have done 500 crores or much more by now, but the mixed reception cut short its potential. The movie is now eyeing the lifetime collection of around 525 crores worldwide, which is nowhere near the high expectations trade had from it. Rajinikanth, meanwhile, now has three films in the top 5 biggest Tamil grossers. The legendary actor's sci-fi actioner 2 Point 0 remains the biggest Tamil grosser with around 700 crores, while his Jailer is the third in the list with around 605 crores. Vijay's Leo is the second biggest Tamil blockbuster with 606 crores, while Mani Ratnam's historical epic Ponniyin Selvan - 1 (488 crores) is currently the 4th in the list. Stay tuned...

326 days ago

24K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Double Trouble: Pradeep Ranganathan's LIK and Dude Set for a Diwali 2025 Box Office Clash

Chennai, August 22 - Young Tamil filmmaker-turned-actor Pradeep Ranganathan, who has impressed one and all with his choice of films so far, is heading for an unusual situation in his career, where he will be clashing with himself at the box office this Diwali. ## The rising star, who earned immense popularity with Love Today and Dragon, will now see two of his upcoming films, Love Insurance Kompany (LIK) and Dude, releasing on the same festive weekend of Diwali 2025. There were reports that Dude would be postponed to next year, but the makers stuck to the Diwali release. ## The announcement has taken fans by surprise, as it is rare for an actor to have two films competing directly against each other. While LIK, directed by Vignesh Shivan, is a science fiction romantic comedy entertainer in Pradeep's signature quirky style, Dude reportedly explores a fresher, mass-oriented space, promising something completely different for audiences. ## The Diwali holiday frame is such a massive weekend for any film in India; hence, releasing two films of an actor is definitely going to be a tricky situation, especially if both films receive favourable audience reception. With Pradeep’s growing fan base and strong youth connect, the festive season could still prove beneficial, as audiences might flock to theatres for both releases, but if the makers still stick to the release, there will be consequences. ## Whatever the outcome, Diwali 2025 is set to be a landmark moment for Pradeep Ranganathan's career, as he attempts to pull off what very few actors have dared – facing himself at the box office. After from his, there are other films which will hit the big screen during the same weekend. ## Stay tuned...

328 days ago

18K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Thalapathy Vijay's Leo Claims First-Week Box Office Crown, Beating Rajinikanth's Coolie

Chennai, August 21 - The Tamil box office once again has its say in the battle between two superstars — Rajinikanth and Thalapathy Vijay. While both Coolie and Leo opened to massive numbers, the difference in their trajectory after the opening weekend has sparked an interesting comparison. ## Rajinikanth's Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, stormed the global box office with a big 385 crore gross in its 4-day extended opening weekend. However, the film's momentum slowed in the following weekdays, with its 8-day first-week total reaching around 440 crore worldwide, adding just around 55 crores from Monday to Thursday. ## On the other hand, Thalapathy Vijay's Leo, also directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, had the opening weekend of 356.50 crores, but unlike Coolie, the movie remained solid in the post-weekend first week, adding another 120 crores gross worldwide from Monday to Thursday, for around 477 crores gross first week collection. ## The word of mouth for both films was mixed, with slightly better for Leo, but still, the Thalapathy Vijay-starrer scored more than 2x of Coolie from Monday to Thursday, despite losing the opening weekend race to win the week. Leo, which was behind Coolie by around 30 crores gross after the opening weekend, leads by around 27 crores after the first week. ## The comparison highlights how post-weekend word-of-mouth and audience reception can define a film's box office journey. It also shows which of Rajinikanth and Vijay has a greater influence over the audience, given their similar reception. But one has to admire the longevity of superstar Rajinikanth, who, at the age of 75, is ruling the box office like any other superstar at their peak. ## Stay tuned...

328 days ago

15.3K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Big Difference In Post-Weekend First Week Box Office Collection of Rajinikanth's Coolie and Thalapathy Vijay's Leo

Chennai, August 21 - The Tamil box office is once again witnessing an intense battle between two superstars — Rajinikanth and Thalapathy Vijay. While both Coolie and Leo opened to massive numbers, the difference in their trajectory after the opening weekend has sparked an interesting comparison. ## Rajinikanth's Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, stormed the global box office with a big 385 crore gross in its 4-day extended opening weekend. However, the film's momentum slowed in the following weekdays, with its 8-day first-week total reaching around 440 crore worldwide, adding just around 55 crores from Monday to Thursday.## On the other hand, Thalapathy Vijay's Leo, also directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, had the opening weekend of 356.50 crores, but unlike Coolie, the movie remained solid in the post-weekend first week, adding another 120 crores gross worldwide from Monday to Thursday, for around 477 crores gross first week collection.## The word of mouth for both films was mixed, with slightly better for Leo, but still, the Thalapathy Vijay-starrer scored more than 2x of Coolie from Monday to Thursday, despite losing the opening weekend race to win the week. Leo, which was behind Coolie by around 30 crores gross after the opening weekend, leads by around 27 crores after the first week.## The comparison highlights how post-weekend word-of-mouth and audience reception can define a film's box office journey. It also shows which of Rajinikanth and Vijay has a greater influence over the audience, given their similar reception. But one has to admire the longevity of superstar Rajinikanth, who, at the age of 75, is ruling the box office like any other superstar at their peak. ## Stay tuned...

328 days ago

13.5K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Big Difference In Post Weekend First Week Collection of Rajinikanth's Coolie and Thalapathy Vijay's Leo

Chennai, August 21 - The Tamil box office is once again witnessing an intense battle between two superstars — Rajinikanth and Thalapathy Vijay. While both Coolie and Leo opened to massive numbers, the difference in their trajectory after the opening weekend has sparked an interesting comparison. ## Rajinikanth's Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, stormed the global box office with a big 385 crore gross in its 4-day extended opening weekend. However, the film's momentum slowed in the following weekdays, with its 8-day first-week total reaching around 440 crore worldwide, adding just around 55 crores from Monday to Thursday.## On the other hand, Thalapathy Vijay's Leo, also directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, had the opening weekend of 356.50 crores, but unlike Coolie, the movie remained solid in the post-weekend first week, adding another 120 crores gross worldwide from Monday to Thursday, for around 477 crores gross first week collection.## The word of mouth for both films was mixed, with slightly better for Leo, but still, the Thalapathy Vijay-starrer scored more than 2x of Coolie from Monday to Thursday, despite losing the opening weekend race to win the week. Leo, which was behind Coolie by around 30 crores gross after the opening weekend, leads by around 27 crores after the first week.## The comparison highlights how post-weekend word-of-mouth and audience reception can define a film's box office journey. It also shows which of Rajinikanth and Vijay has a greater influence over the audience, given their similar reception. But one has to admire the longevity of superstar Rajinikanth, who, at the age of 75, is ruling the box office like any other superstar at their peak. ## Stay tuned...

328 days ago

17.2K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Coolie vs Leo Box Office: Rajinikanth Rules the First Weekend, Thalapathy Vijay Dominates the First Week

Chennai, August 21 - In the contrasting turn of events, Thalapathy Vijay's Leo is set to remain the biggest opening week grosser of Tamil cinema, a title which was threatened to be taken by superstar Rajinikanth's latest blockbuster Coolie. Both films registered historic collections, but their trajectories highlight the difference in audience pull during the weekend and week numbers. ## In the opening weekend, Rajinikanth's Coolie took a clear lead by emerging as the biggest Tamil weekend grosser, with approximately 385 crore, edging past Leo's 356.50 crore opening weekend. The Superstar's mass appeal and festive holiday advantage ensured a record-breaking start despite mixed reviews. ## However, the equation shifted over the first full week, where things have taken a drastic turn. After the record opening weekend, Coolie fell sharply during the weekdays, as its first 7 days collection is around 430 crores gross worldwide. On the other hand, Leo showcased better consistency with solid holds, collecting approximately 464 crore worldwide in the same span. ## ## The strong weekday hold allowed Vijay's film to claim the biggest Tamil first-week grosser of all time. Even with the extended 8-day opening week run, Leo maintained its edge with 476 crore, outpacing Coolie, which is expected to be around 440 crores 8-day haul worldwide. ## Trade experts believe this pattern reinforces a long-observed trend: Rajinikanth films ignite explosive openings, while Vijay’s recent outings have demonstrated stronger weekday legs. Ultimately, both Coolie and Leo have cemented their place in box office history, but the battle will be remembered as a weekend win for Rajinikanth and a week-long triumph for Thalapathy Vijay. ## Note: Rajinikanth's 2.0's numbers are not considered in this article, as there were a lot of discrepancies regarding the film's South Indian language collection. ## Stay tuned...

329 days ago

19.5K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Box Office: No All-Time Grossing Tamil Record For Rajinikanth's Coolie

Chennai, August 20 - Superstar Rajinikanth and director Lokesh Kanagaraj's much-hyped collaboration Coolie ignited hope of emerging biggest Tamil grosser of all-time, after the record numbers during the extended Independence Day weekend. The film set social media abuzz and drew massive crowds, cementing Rajinikanth's dominance at the box office yet again. ## But as they say, all that glitters is not gold, and that's what's happening with Coolie. Despite the spectacular start, the film is now showing signs of slowing down. With big drops during weekdays, it makes it almost impossible for the film to challenge the all-time Tamil box office record grosser, which is Rajinikanth's own hit 2 Point 0, which itself underperformed. ## The gangster action drama, after the record weekend of 385 crores worldwide, has dropped heavily on the first two working days with a combined total of around 33-35 crores worldwide. After 6 days, the film's total collection stands at around 418-420 crores worldwide, which could have easily been around 450 crores with a positive reception, which it did not have. ## Industry trackers, who were predicting Coolie to become the biggest Tamil grosser before release, suggest that it may wrap up its global run under 550 crore. It might stretch its total a little higher, but for that, the film has to show solid legs, which don't seem to be happening with the current trend. While 500 crores worldwide is still a big milestone, Coolie will fall short of the expectations, which is disappointing. ## Trade analysts note that after its historic opening, collections in certain overseas territories and the Hindi belt have not been as strong as expected, which has capped its long-term potential. In North America, where the movie had a huge weekend, the weekdays' collection dropped drastically, even below Hrithik Roshan Jr. NTR's War, which had an underwhelming run there so far. ## That said, Coolie has already achieved several milestones. It became the fastest Tamil film to cross the 100 crores, 200 crores, and 300 crores mark worldwide, apart from becoming the biggest Tamil opener and weekend grosser of all time. The movie also reinforced Rajinikanth's unmatched star power, as he continues to deliver films that not only perform in India but also create a stir in international markets. ## In conclusion, Coolie, despite the early promises, will not create the history, everyone thought it would. While it will still be among the top 5 biggest Tamil grossers of all time, the movie will end up as a flop or an average affair at the box office. The onus is now on Rajinikanth's next, which is the highly-awaited Jailer 2, to do the unfinished job. ## Stay tuned...

330 days ago

33.5K views

Kollywood

BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Lokesh Kanagaraj To Push Kaithi 2 Back Again To Direct A Dream Combo of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan?

Chennai, August 19 - Director Lokesh Kanagaraj might be up for another reshuffle in his future film timeline, and if that happens, actor Karthi, and more than him, the fans of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) will have to wait longer for the much-awaited sequel to Kaithi. ## After the blockbuster Leo, Lokesh teamed up with superstar Rajinikanth for the gangster action drama Coolie, which is currently playing in theatres. For a long time, the filmmaker had confirmed his plans to return to Kaithi 2 with Karthi after completing Coolie. But now, the latest buzz suggests that a different, and perhaps even bigger, project might take priority. ## The latest blockbuster buzz in Tamil media suggests that Lokesh is planning one of India's biggest multistarrers and has reportedly narrated a two-hero script to the superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan for the same. The legendary duo is said to have given their nod, reportedly asking the filmmaker to move ahead with the project. ## Originally reportedly planned before the COVID-19 pandemic, this ambitious film is said to revolve around two ageing gangsters in a large-scale cinematic adventure, and will likely be produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI). If reports are to be believed, it could be Lokesh's immediate next. ## The news is indeed massive, and perhaps the biggest collaboration of Indian cinema in the recent past. But at the same time, it also brings a bittersweet feeling for fans awaiting Kaithi 2, wanting to see Lokesh get back to his strong zone of Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). ## The stars are probably not aligning for Kaithi 2, for which the script is said to be ready, subject to some changes. Interestingly, it was supposed to be made before Lokesh's Leo with Thalapathy Vijay, but plans changed as the director picked up Coolie, while Karthi also had a few films to complete. ## That said, a film uniting two titans of Indian cinema, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, under Lokesh's vision promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime cinematic event. Fans may be ready to sacrifice the wait for Kaithi 2 if it means witnessing this dream project. However, an official confirmation from the makers is still awaited. ## Stay tuned...

331 days ago

17.7K views