BY SUNIT JANGIR

Chennai, May 23 - Tamil superstar Suriya has scripted a historic box office milestone with Karuppu as the fantasy action drama has crossed the massive 100 crore gross mark in Tamil Nadu alone. Directed by RJ Balaji, the film is continuing its sensational theatrical run and has emerged as the biggest blockbuster of Suriya's career. Released on May 14, Karuppu opened to strong word-of-mouth among the mass audience and family viewers, which helped the film maintain extraordinary momentum through weekdays as well. On its second Saturday (9th day), the film topped 100 crores gross in the state, becoming the first film of Suriya to achieve the feat. It's 9 days Tamil Nadu gross stands at an estimated 102 crores. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Produced by Dream Warrior Pictures, the movie has also become the first Tamil film this year to cross the 100 crore mark in Tamil Nadu. Karuppu crossed the 200 crore gross milestone worldwide within just eight days of release, becoming the first Tamil film of 2026 to achieve the feat. After 9 days, the total worldwide gross of the movie stands at around 217+ crores. In India, Karuppu has minted around 155 crores gross, marching towards the 200 crores milestone. The overseas markets have also contributed heavily to the film's blockbuster total, with 9 days' estimated gross around 62+ crores. But today's story is all about the film topping 100 crores gross in the home state, putting him in the league of superstars. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In the history of Tamil cinema, only superstar Rajinikanth, along with Thalapathy Vijay, Ajith Kumar, Kamal Haasan, and Sivakarthikeyan, have managed to score 100 crores gross in Tamil Nadu. Chiyaan Vikram and Karthi also have 100 crore grossers in the form of legendary Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan 1 and Ponniyin Selvan 2. With Karuppu now joining the elite club, 24 films so far have managed to enter the 100 crores club in the Southern state, with Suriya starrer being the 24th title to do so. Thalapathy Vijay has the highest number of films in the club with 8 titles, followed by Rajiniakanth with five films, and Ajith Kumar has four films. Starring Suriya alongside Trisha Krishnan, the film blends mythology, fantasy, and mass action elements, which have resonated strongly with audiences across Tamil Nadu and other regions. Directed by RJ Balaji, the movie has received praise for its scale, emotional depth, and powerful theatrical moments. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Actors With 100 Crore Films In Tamil Nadu (Lead Role) S. No. Actor No. Of 100 Crore Films 1 Vijay 8 2 Rajinikanth 5 3 Ajith Kumar 4 4 Vikram / Karthi / Jayam Ravi 2 5 Kamal Haasan 1 6 Sivakarthikeyan 1 7 Prabhas 1 8 Yash 1 9 Suriya 1

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 23 - Producer Namit Malhotra is reportedly planning a major release strategy for the highly-awaited epic Ramayana: Part 1, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash. The makers are said to be contemplating preponing the film's release to maximise its box office potential during the festive season. According to the report by Bollywood Hungama, the Nitesh Tiwari-directed magnum opus is now eyeing an October 30, 2026, theatrical release, which is a week before the Diwali festivities. The strategy is said to be aimed at allowing the film to build strong word-of-mouth before the extended holiday period kicks in, potentially resulting in a massive second-week surge at the box office. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Initially planned for a Diwali 2026 release, the makers reportedly believe that arriving a week earlier could give the film a longer uninterrupted run during the festive season, given that no other major release will be released during this time. The report further states that internal discussions regarding the revised date are currently underway, and a final decision will be taken once the distribution negotiations are locked. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, and Yash as Ravana. The film also features Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Laxman, along with others. Mounted on a gigantic scale by Prime Focus Studios and Monster Mind Creations, the project is being positioned as one of the most ambitious Indian films ever made. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Recently, it was also reported that the makers are in talks for a massive theatrical distribution deal worth around 450 crore, highlighting the enormous expectations surrounding the film. Given the scale, visual ambition, and star cast, trade experts expect the film to emerge as one of the biggest box office events in Indian cinema history. The buzz around the film has been consistently growing ever since the first official glimpses and casting confirmations surfaced online. While the October 30 release date is yet to be officially announced by the makers, the latest developments indicate that the team is actively exploring the possibility of arriving earlier than originally planned to fully capitalise on the festive window.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 23 - Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has once again proved his unmatched box office pull as the much-awaited crime thriller Drishyam 3 continued its sensational run worldwide. Directed by Jeethu Joseph, the film scored an excellent second day despite the usual post-opening drop and has topped the massive 75 crore gross mark globally in just two days. According to early estimates, Drishyam 3 grossed 12.75+ crores domestically on its second day, pushing total India gross to 31+ crores, including around 20 crores gross in Kerala. Overseas, the suspense thriller grossed an estimated 45 crores in 2 days, bringing its worldwide cume to 76+ crores. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) After taking a thunderous opening of nearly 43.50 crore worldwide on its Thursday opening day, Drishyam 3 maintained strong momentum on Friday and added another 30+ crores day to its tally. The film is now racing towards the 100 crore worldwide milestone and is expected to comfortably cross it on Saturday (3rd day), becoming the second fastest Malayalam film to do so. Drishyam 3 has received mixed word-of-mouth from audiences and critics; despite that, it has been performing solidly due to the franchise factor. Mohanlal's commanding performance as Georgekutty is once again wowing the audiences. The strong reception at the box office is expected to help the film sustain well over the weekend.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Chennai, May 23 - Suriya is finally having the kind of blockbuster run fans had waited years for. The Singam star's latest action drama Karuppu, directed by RJ Balaji, has crossed the massive 200 crore mark at the worldwide box office, becoming the actor's first-ever film to achieve the milestone globally. Released on May 15, the fantasy action entertainer opened to thunderous response across Tamil Nadu and overseas markets before maintaining excellent momentum during weekdays as well. The film grossed around 200+ crore worldwide in 8 days, with the original Tamil version contributing the lion's share of collections. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Karuppu had already become Suriya's biggest worldwide grosser in just 4 days, after topping Singam 2's 124 crores worldwide run. In 8 days so far, the movie has grossed around 141 crores at the domestic box office, including 91+ crores in Tamil Nadu, while overseas collection is an estimated 60 crores gross. It is the first Kollywood release of the year to achieve the feat of 200 crores. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Apart from Tamil Nadu, Karuppu has also performed well in Telugu states, with around 21.75 crores gross in 8 days, followed by 15 crores gross in Karnataka, while it is already the highest-grossing film for Suriya in Kerala with 10.30 crores gross. In the home state, the film will be topping 100 crores gross most likely today (9th day), and become Suriya's first movie to do so. The movie stars Trisha Krishnan alongside Suriya, with supporting performances from Indrans, Natty Subramaniam, Swasika, and Yogi Babu. Backed by Dream Warrior Pictures, the film blends mass action, fantasy, and emotional drama, which has resonated strongly with audiences. Karuppu is certain to cross the 250 crores mark in the coming days, but it needs to be seen if it can go on to breach the 300 crores milestone.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Despite the massive hype surrounding the historic reunion of Mollywood's twin towers, Mammootty and Mohanlal, their latest high-octane collaboration has failed to set the cash registers ringing as expected. Patriot, directed by Mahesh Narayanan, arrived in theaters with the burden of colossal expectations and an equally massive budget, reported to be in the range of ₹125 to ₹140 crore. While the film served as a visual treat for fans, it struggled to convert that excitement into a healthy theatrical run, ultimately finding it difficult to recover the significant moolah invested in its production. Where and when to stream Patriot on OTT? With the theatrical window coming to a close and the film failing to sustain momentum at the ticket windows, the makers have moved quickly to finalize its digital premiere. Patriot is officially scheduled to stream on OTT starting June 5, 2026. The digital streaming rights were bagged by ZEE5, which plans to release the film in its original Malayalam version alongside dubbed versions in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. While the film may have faced a commercial setback in theaters, the June 5 premiere on ZEE5 offers a chance for the spy thriller to find a larger audience across the country on the small screen. What is the story of Patriot? The film is a sophisticated spy thriller set against a backdrop of international espionage and internal political betrayal. The narrative follows Vikramadithyan (Mohanlal), a seasoned high-ranking RAW agent who has gone off the grid following a failed mission in Europe. He is forced out of hiding when a series of coordinated cyber-attacks and assassinations threaten to destabilize the Indian government from within. Enter Chief Minister Raghavan (Mammootty), a veteran politician known for his uncompromising ethics and iron-fisted governance. Realizing that the threat isn't just external but involves a mole in his own cabinet, Raghavan enlists Vikramadithyan to weed out the global syndicate. The film was noted for its technical brilliance and the rare opportunity to see the two legends sharing the frame in a modern political setting. Analyzing the commercial data, the numbers fall short of the heavy lifting required for such a high-budget project. By the end of its run, Patriot managed to pull in just over ₹80 crore at the worldwide box office. While the film saw a decent contribution from the overseas kitty, with international markets adding over ₹43 crore, the domestic performance was notably soft. The India gross collection struggled to cross the ₹37 crore mark. For a film produced on a staggering budget of ₹125+ crore, these totals represent a significant disappointment, as the theatrical returns didn't come close to covering the production costs, leaving the film in the red. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Patriot: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is Patriot a hit or a flop? Patriot is a Box Office Disappointment. Despite grossing over ₹80 Cr worldwide, the film failed to break even due to its massive reported budget of ₹125–₹140 crore, leading to losses for the stakeholders. Where to stream Patriot on OTT? The film will be available for streaming exclusively on ZEE5 in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. Who are the lead actors in Patriot? The film features the iconic duo of Mammootty and Mohanlal in lead roles, marking their first full-length collaboration in years. What is the OTT release date for Patriot? The confirmed OTT release date for Patriot is June 5, 2026, on the ZEE5 platform.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The return of Georgekutty was always going to be a cinematic event, but the scale at which Drishyam 3 has landed is something even seasoned analysts are marveling at. After years of anticipation, the Lalettan-Jeethu Joseph combo has delivered a global rampage, marking the biggest international release in the history of Malayalam cinema with over 1500 screens worldwide. This isn't just a sequel; it is a full-scale box office invasion that has seen the movie claim the spot for the second-highest Malayalam opening of all time, trailing only the colossal L2: Empuraan. The primary story of Day 1 belongs to the overseas market, where the film has raked in a staggering 25.00 Cr (approx. $2.6 Million+). Distributed internationally by Phars Film, the movie saw a massive contribution from the Middle East, with the GULF region alone bringing in $1.4M (roughly 11.5Cr to 13.5Cr depending on local reports). The non-GCC territories were equally impressive, adding another $1.2M+ to the kitty. From the rain-soaked streets of London to the multiplexes of North America, the Georgekutty saga is being watched with bated breath. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Drishyam 3: Day 1 Worldwide Box Office Summary TERRITORY GROSS COLLECTION Highlights India (Domestic) ₹ 18.37 Cr ₹ 15.85 Cr Net across 5,506 shows Overseas (International) ₹ 25.00 Cr Largest ever release (1500+ screens) Worldwide Total ₹ 43.37 Cr 2nd Highest Mollywood Opener A closer look at the territory-wise breakdown shows just how wide the Lalettan effect spans. In the UK and Ireland, the film breached the 4Cr mark, while the US and Canada saw a massive 3.75Cr including premieres. Australia and New Zealand contributed a combined 1.48Cr, proving that the diaspora is showing up in record numbers. When you add the contributions from the rest of Europe and other Asian markets, the overseas moolah hits that 25 Cr milestone with ease. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) When we break down the international numbers, the Middle East emerges as the primary engine for this growth, bringing in $1.4 million—roughly 13.5 crore—with over 131,000 admissions in the GULF region on Day 1 alone. The momentum carried over to Europe and the West, where the UK and Ireland markets contributed upwards of 4 crore, while North America (US and Canada) delivered an estimated 3.75 crore including premiere shows. Australia and New Zealand also saw healthy footfalls, adding 1.20 crore and 28 lakh respectively to the overseas kitty. When we look at the historical leaderboard of Malayalam cinema's international performance, Drishyam 3 has comfortably established itself in the highest echelon of the overseas charts. With a total of $2.63 million in international earnings on its first day, the film has secured the #2 spot on the all-time list of Mollywood openings abroad. While L2: Empuraan remains the undisputed leader with its massive $5.16 million debut, Georgekutty's third chapter has managed to surge past other heavyweights like Patriot ($1.78M), Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham ($1.66M), and Kurup ($1.62M). This significant jump from the $1.6M-$1.7M range seen by previous hits to the $2.6M mark for this thriller highlights the staggering growth of the franchise's global brand value. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) To put this in perspective, we have to look at the leader of the pack. L2: Empuraan still holds the crown with a worldwide opening of 67.34 Cr (43 Cr overseas), but Drishyam 3 has comfortably secured the second spot. While Empuraan had the advantage of a massive action-spectacle hype, Drishyam 3 is thriving on pure suspense and brand trust. Domestic audiences also played their part, with a 15.85 Cr net collection across 5,506 shows, keeping the theater fill-rates high throughout the day. Ultimately, Drishyam 3 has proven that Malayalam cinema's storytelling is no longer confined to regional boundaries. By pulling in more revenue from overseas (25 Cr) than from the domestic market (18.37 Cr Gross) on Day 1, Georgekutty has shown that a well-crafted thriller can be a global goldmine. As the weekend progresses and the word-of-mouth spreads, it will be interesting to see if the film can maintain this blistering pace and challenge the lifetime records of the industry's biggest blockbusters.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, May 22 - The decade-long record of director Nagraj Manjule's social romantic tragedy Sairat has finally been broken as Riteish Deshmukh's historical epic Raja Shivaji has become the highest-grossing Marathi film of all time, taking just 22 days to achieve the historic feat. Produced by Jio Studios and Mumbai Film Company, Raja Shivaji minted around 109.35 crores worldwide in three weeks (21 days), and it has surpassed the total gross of Sairat (110 crores) at the time of writing this piece to become the number 1 Marathi grosser ever. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Raja Shivaji, however, received support from its Hindi dubbed version, unlike Sairat, which was purely a Marathi-language release. Directed by and starring Riteish Deshmukh, the blockbuster has grossed approximately 29 crores from the Hindi version and over 76 crores gross from the original Marathi version in 21 days, while the overseas contribution stands at an estimated 4.20 crores so far. Released on May 1 on the occasion of Maharashtra Day, Raja Shivaji opened to record-breaking numbers with approximately 13.85 crores worldwide on its first day. The film remained exceptionally strong throughout the opening weekend, collecting around 41.65 crores worldwide in its first three days, setting a new benchmark for Marathi cinema. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The historical action drama, based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, showed a solid hold during the weekdays of its initial week. However, mixed word of mouth impacted the film's long-term theatrical run, with collections beginning to slow down after the second weekend. The 150 crores worldwide milestone, which looked possible after the huge opening weekend, now appears out of reach. Despite the slowdown, Raja Shivaji is still expected to finish its theatrical run close to the 125 crores mark, which would be a solid result for a regional-language title. The film has performed excellently in Maharashtra, where the subject and emotional connect with audiences helped it emerge as one of the biggest Marathi blockbusters ever produced. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Highest-Grossing Marathi Films S. No. Movie Worldwide Gross 1 Raja Shivaji (2026) ₹ 110+ Cr* (22D) 2 Sairat (2016) ₹ 110 Cr 3 Baipan Bhari Deva (2023) ₹ 90.50 Cr 4 Ved (2022) ₹ 73 Cr 5 Natsamrat (2016) ₹ 46 Cr*

BY CHRISTA LINCY

In the world of Kollywood, there is an elite circle that only the absolute titans of the industry manage to enter—the 3 Million Ticket Club on BookMyShow. It's a space where digital footfalls translate into cinematic history, and Suriya's latest juggernaut, Karuppu, has just crashed the gates. After a blistering first week, the film hasn't just performed; it has redefined the velocity of ticket sales for a Tamil film in 2026, proving that the vintage Suriya hype is well and truly back. The journey began with a massive signal of intent even before the first projector started rolling. With over 242,000 Interests registered on the platform, the stage was set for a record-breaking opening. On its very first day, Karuppu clocked a staggering 700,000 tickets, instantly securing the 4th spot on the all-time Day 1 sales list for Tamil cinema. The surge was so intense that the 9 AM special shows in Tamil Nadu acted like a catalyst, pushing booking spikes to a peak of 46,200 tickets per hour—a personal best for Suriya that nearly brought the servers to a standstill. Karuppu - BookMyShow Week 1 Ticket Sales Breakdown DAY TICKETS SOLD (BMS) MILESTONES / NOTES Pre-Sales 75,000 Strong Advance Momentum Day 1 (Friday) 700,140 4th Highest Ever Day 1 for Kollywood Day 2 (Saturday) 690,030 Hit 1.5M Mark; 2nd Highest Tamil Saturday Day 3 (Sunday) 497,600 1st film in 2026 to sell 500K on Sunday Day 4 (Monday) 300,490 Hit 2M Mark; Averaged 4 tickets/second Day 5 (Tuesday) 261,960 Crossed 2.5 Million Sales Day 6 (Wednesday) 210,210 Steady Mid-week Hold Day 7 (Thursday) 186,840 Wraps Week 1 at ~2.92 Million TOTAL WEEK 1 2,922,270 Historic Debut Run (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) What makes this run truly impressive is the consistency of the momentum. Usually, films see a sharp decline once the weekend ends, but Karuppu defied traditional logic. On its first Monday, it moved over 300,000 tickets, maintaining an incredible rate of roughly four tickets sold every single second throughout the day. By the end of its fifth day, the film had already stormed past the 2.5 million sales mark. The multilingual appeal also played a huge role; the Telugu version, titled Veerabhadrudu, was a beast of its own, crossing 250,000 tickets by Monday and contributing significantly to the overall moolah entering the kitty. By hitting the 3 million milestone shortly after its first week, Karuppu has now officially joined the ranks of the all-time greats. It currently trails only a handful of industry giants in the lifetime sales ladder. This performance has easily eclipsed Suriya's previous benchmarks like Kanguva and Singam 2, cementing its status as his highest ticket-selling film on the platform. It's not just about the numbers; it's about the speed—reaching the 1 million mark in two days and the 2 million mark by day four shows a level of audience hunger rarely seen. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) As the dust settles on the first week, the Karuppu effect is clear. It has become the gold standard for theatrical longevity in 2026, outperforming the first-Saturday records of almost every major blockbuster this year. With the film now comfortably sitting in the elite 3M+ club, the conversation has shifted from will it be a hit to how high can it go? For now, Suriya and the team can take a bow as they share the stage with the biggest legends of Tamil cinema. Elite Company: Tamil Movies with 3M+ BMS Ticket Sales MOVIE NAME BMS TICKET SALES YEAR Jailer 9.21 Million 2023 Leo 7.30 Million 2023 Coolie 6.12 Million 2025 Amaran 4.90 Million 2024 The GOAT 4.48 Million 2024 Karuppu 3.00 Million+ 2026

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Kochi, May 22 - Drishyam 3 has taken a thunderous start at the global box office, with the Mohanlal starrer clocking over 45 crore worldwide on its opening day. Directed by Jeethu Joseph, the much-awaited thriller sequel has emerged as the second biggest opening ever for a Malayalam film, continuing the phenomenal legacy of the franchise. According to early estimates, the film grossed around 18.50 crore in India, including around 11 crores gross in Kerala. The overseas markets contributed a massive 25 crore (estimates), taking the total worldwide opening to the 43.50 crore range. The Gulf region, North America, the UK, and Australia delivered exceptional numbers, proving the franchise's huge international pull. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film had already generated historic momentum before release through advance bookings. The worldwide day-one pre-sales crossed 35 crore gross, with Kerala alone contributing over 8 crore in advances. Despite the mixed word of mouth, Drishyam 3 is now heading towards a gigantic opening weekend, which could be close to 150 crores if the momentum continues. Released on May 21, coinciding with Mohanlal's birthday, the film has benefited from massive fan anticipation and strong audience curiosity surrounding Georgekutty's return. The thriller has opened to packed theatres across Kerala and overseas territories, with social media reactions largely praising the suspense elements and Mohanlal's performance. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Top 5 Biggest Malayalam Opening Day Grossers Worldwide S. No. Movie Opening Day Worldwide Gross 1 L2: Empuraan (2025) ₹ 67.50 Cr 2 Drishyam 3 (2026) ₹ 43.50 Cr (est.) 3 Patriot (2026) ₹ 28.10 Cr 4 Marakkar (2021) ₹ 20.30 Cr 5 Kurup (2021) ₹ 18.30 Cr

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Sequels in the romantic-comedy genre often carry a specific set of expectations, and Pati Patni Aur Woh Do has spent its first week navigating those waters with a fair amount of steadiness. As the film completes its initial seven-day run, it is clear that the franchise value has helped it maintain a decent pace at the ticket windows, even as the usual weekday cooling-off period takes effect. On Day 7, the film brought in a net collection of 2.00 Cr. This represents a 27.3% drop from the previous day's 2.75 Cr, which is a standard trajectory for a mid-week Thursday. With this, the first week total for India net collections stands at a solid 29.00 Cr. When we look at the gross figures, the domestic total has reached 34.43 Cr, and with an overseas contribution of 5.85 Cr, the worldwide gross collection currently sits at 40.28 Cr. This has been achieved across a total of 41,492 shows since its release. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Pati Patni Aur Woh Do - Week 1 Box Office Breakdown DAY COLLECTION (NET) SHOWS OCCUPANCY Day 1 (Friday) ₹ 4.00 Cr 6,822 12.0% Day 2 (Saturday) ₹ 5.75 Cr 6,717 16.0% Day 3 (Sunday) ₹ 7.75 Cr 6,350 22.0% Day 4 (Monday) ₹ 3.25 Cr 5,563 13.0% Day 5 (Tuesday) ₹ 3.50 Cr 5,541 21.0% Day 6 (Wednesday) ₹ 2.75 Cr 5,559 12.0% Day 7 (Thursday) ₹ 2.00 Cr 4,940 11.0% Total Week 1 ₹ 29.00 Cr - - Analyzing the regional pulse on its seventh day, the film saw its most significant show count in the National Capital Region (NCR) with 819 shows and an 8.8% occupancy. Mumbai followed with 282 shows and a slightly higher fill-rate of 11.5%. Other key urban centers also showed life, with Bengaluru recording the highest occupancy among major cities at 14.3% from 110 shows, while Lucknow and Kolkata hovered around the 11.3% and 9.0% marks respectively. These numbers suggest that the urban youth and family audience remain the primary drivers for this rom-com. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The footfalls translated well into ticket sales across digital and physical platforms. On BookMyShow, the film added 30.81K tickets on Thursday, taking its total weekly tally on the platform to approximately 447.47K tickets. In the major national multiplex chains—PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis—the movie sold around 5,693 tickets on Day 7. For the entire first week, these national chains have accounted for roughly 1.19 lakh ticket sales. This level of engagement indicates that despite the competitive landscape, the film is finding its audience in the premium properties. With a reported budget in the range of 50 to 60 crore, Pati Patni Aur Woh Do has completed the first phase of its theatrical journey with a respectable amount of moolah in the kitty. While it still has some distance to go to achieve full cost recovery, the steady performance through the weekdays is a positive sign. As it enters its second week, the focus will be on whether it can maintain its grip on the urban markets and continue to push towards the breakeven point.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

When a project is titled as Part 1, it naturally carries the weight of a larger narrative and the expectation of a massive footprint. Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart arrived in theaters with significant ambition and a reported budget of 60 crore, aiming to blend emotional depth with a grand cinematic scale. However, as the film wraps up its second week, the box office numbers suggest that the movie is finding it an uphill task to recover its hefty investment, signaling a period of underperformance despite its wide release. On its 15th day, the film brought in a net collection of 0.95 Cr. This represents a 13.6% slide from the 1.10 Cr it earned on Wednesday. While the film is still holding on to 1,824 shows, the daily collections dipping below the 1-crore mark this early in the run is a point of concern for analysts. The Hindi version continues to be the primary contributor, bringing in 0.85 Cr on Thursday, while the Telugu and Tamil versions remain on the fringes with minimal contributions. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart - Week 2 Collection Breakdown DAY COLLECTION (NET) SHOWS OCCUPANCY Day 9 (2nd Friday) ₹ 1.20 Cr 1,634 17.7% Day 10 (2nd Saturday) ₹ 2.30 Cr 1,836 28.7% Day 11 (2nd Sunday) ₹ 3.20 Cr 1,984 37.0% Day 12 (2nd Monday) ₹ 1.00 Cr 2,014 14.3% Day 13 (2nd Tuesday) ₹ 1.45 Cr 2,088 29.1% Day 14 (2nd Wednesday) ₹ 1.10 Cr 2,080 16.4% Day 15 (2nd Thursday) ₹ 0.95 Cr 1,824 15.2% Total Week 2 ₹ 11.20 Cr - - A closer look at the language-wise performance reveals that the Hindi market has been doing all the heavy lifting, while the other regional versions have struggled to make a mark at the ticket windows. Here is the cumulative breakdown of the net collections across different languages: Hindi: ₹ 22.46 Cr Telugu: ₹ 1.88 Cr Tamil: ₹ 0.38 Cr Total India Net: ₹ 24.72 Cr (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The total India net collection after 15 days now stands at 24.72 Cr, with the gross total reaching 29.15 Cr. Since the movie has not seen a significant release overseas, its worldwide gross also stays pegged at the 29.15 Cr mark. When we look at these totals against the 60-crore budget, the moolah in the kitty is currently less than half of the production cost. With the theatrical window narrowing, the film will need an extraordinary hold in its third week to avoid being labeled a commercial disappointment. The regional occupancy report for Day 15 shows that the film is finding some traction in specific hubs, though the overall numbers remain modest. Mumbai saw the highest fill-rate at 18.3% across 130 shows, while Ahmedabad followed with 11.5% from 142 shows. In the National Capital Region (NCR), the film maintained a much larger presence with 206 shows but saw a lower occupancy of 10.8%. Similarly, Surat contributed with 141 shows but struggled at a 7.0% fill-rate. Despite a decent show count in these cities, the average morning and night show turnouts are failing to see the kind of surge needed for a box office comeback. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Analyzing the footfalls through digital platforms and national chains gives us a clearer picture of the week's engagement. On BookMyShow, the second week recorded a total of 286.73K ticket sales, with Saturday and Sunday accounting for the bulk of the traffic. The lifetime ticket sales on the platform have now touched 634.83K. Meanwhile, in the big national chains—PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis—the film sold a combined total of 82,238 tickets during its second-week marathon. On Thursday alone, these chains contributed 4,570 tickets to the tally. Ultimately, Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart finds itself in a precarious position as it enters its third week. While a 11.20 Cr second-week total proves there is still a core audience following the journey, the massive gap between current earnings and the 60-crore budget is hard to ignore. For a film intended to be the start of a larger franchise, the road ahead looks increasingly difficult, and it will need a miracle in its third-week run to significantly change its commercial trajectory.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

When an action-packed juggernaut like Karuppu hits the theaters, the box office usually prepares for a high-octane impact, and the first week numbers suggest exactly that. After seven days of absolute arson at the ticket windows, the film has successfully cemented its position as one of the elite performers of 2026. While the week concluded with the usual working-day stabilization, the sheer volume of moolah added to the producers kitty is a clear indicator of the films massive reach across the southern states. On Day 7, Karuppu brought in a net collection of 8.10 Cr, which marks a 24.3% drop from the previous day. For a big-ticket release navigating its first Thursday, this is a standard trend as the initial weekend frenzy settles into a steady theatrical run. By the end of its first week, the total India net collection stands at a formidable 113.85 Cr, while the gross total in the domestic market has soared to 131.82 Cr. When you factor in the international performance, the worldwide gross has already breached the 188.82 Cr mark, all achieved across a massive 41,396 shows. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) To truly appreciate the magnitude of this performance, we need to look at how Karuppu stacks up against the all-time heavyweights of Kollywood. Securing a spot in the top 10 list of highest first-week openers is a badge of honor that only the most anticipated films earn. By claiming the 8th spot, the film has officially rubbed shoulders with the industry's biggest blockbusters, proving that its opening week momentum is nothing short of elite. Here is how the leaderboard looks for the top ten Tamil net openers in history: Top 10 Highest Kollywood Week 1 Openers (Tamil Net) RANK MOVIE NAME 1ST WEEK TAMIL NET 1 Leo ₹ 212.20 Cr 2 Jailer ₹ 184.65 Cr 3 The Greatest of All Time ₹ 156.40 Cr 4 Coolie ₹ 149.95 Cr 5 Good Bad Ugly ₹ 113.60 Cr 6 Vettaiyan ₹ 105.07 Cr 7 Ponniyin Selvan - Part 2 ₹ 100.04 Cr 8 Karuppu ₹ 96.10 Cr 9 Amaran ₹ 93.00 Cr 10 Vidaamuyarchi ₹ 70.75 Cr A closer look at the state-wise gross for Day 7 reveals the dominance of the home turf. Tamil Nadu remains the primary bellwether for the film, contributing a solid 6.75 Cr gross on Thursday. The Telugu states (APTG) followed with 1.40 Cr, while Karnataka and Kerala added 0.77 Cr and 0.35 Cr respectively. In terms of occupancy, the film is witnessing a phenomenal hold in urban centers. Chennai led the charge with a 51.3% occupancy, closely followed by Coimbatore at 49.0%. Over in the Telugu market, Vizag-Visakhapatnam emerged as a stronghold with 19.8% occupancy, proving that the film's appeal has successfully transcended linguistic borders. Karuppu - Day 7 Box Office Summary LANGUAGE COLLECTION (NET) SHOWS OCCUPANCY Tamil ₹ 6.90 Cr 3,599 35.0% Telugu ₹ 1.20 Cr 1,541 20.0% Total Day 7 ₹ 8.10 Cr 5,140 30.5% (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The international footprint of the film is equally noteworthy. According to reports from Venky Box Office, Karuppu earned a gross of 42K in North America on Wednesday, taking its total in the region to a near-million-dollar mark of 980K. Overall, the overseas market contributed 3.00 Cr on the final day of the week, taking the total international gross to 57.00 Cr. This steady performance abroad has provided a significant cushion to the worldwide totals, making it a truly global success story for the makers. The digital engagement and footfalls in premium properties provide the best perspective on the films popularity. On BookMyShow, Karuppu has joined the big league, ranking 5th in all-time first-week ticket sales, just below titans like Jailer, Leo, and Coolie. On Thursday alone, it sold 187K tickets, outperforming major hits like Amaran and Leo in daily velocity. In the national multiplex chains—PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis—the film maintained a steady pace on its seventh day, selling approximately 29,842 tickets. Here is a look at the massive ticket sales footprint for the entire week: (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Pre-Sales | BookMyShow: 75K | National Multiplex Chains: - Day 1 (Friday) | BookMyShow: 700K | National Multiplex Chains: 29.1K Day 2 (Saturday) | BookMyShow: 690K | National Multiplex Chains: 106.7K Day 3 (Sunday) | BookMyShow: 497K | National Multiplex Chains: 120.7K Day 4 (Monday) | BookMyShow: 300K | National Multiplex Chains: 50.5K Day 5 (Tuesday) | BookMyShow: 262K | National Multiplex Chains: 46.8K Day 6 (Wednesday) | BookMyShow: 210K | National Multiplex Chains: 41.7K Day 7 (Thursday) | BookMyShow: 187K | National Multiplex Chains: 29.8K Total Week 1 | BookMyShow: 2922K | National Multiplex Chains: 425K (Approx) As the film enters its second week, all eyes will be on how it performs against new releases. With 29.22 Lakh tickets already booked via BMS and a total net collection that has comfortably crossed the century mark, Karuppu has already secured its status as a winner. The stability seen in Chennai and Coimbatore suggests that the film will continue to have a long tail at the box office, potentially eyeing much bigger milestones in the coming days.