The Tamil film Lubber Pandhu, directed by Tamizharasan Pachamuthu, has captured the attention of audiences with its heartfelt take on gully cricket, a beloved pastime in India. Starring Harish Kalyan and Attakathi Dinesh, the sports drama opened to a positive response at the box office, with a mix of emotional storytelling and nostalgia driving its early success. As the film reaches Day 10 of its theatrical run, it has maintained steady collections, but the question remains: Is Lubber Pandhu a hit or flop? Let’s take a look at the day-wise box office collection and evaluate its performance.
Opening and First Week Performance
Lubber Pandhu released on September 20, 2024, and saw a decent start, earning ₹0.75 crore on its first day. Positive word-of-mouth and the engaging storyline led to an increase in the following days, especially over the weekend. The film’s Day 2 collection doubled to ₹1.5 crore, and it saw a further jump to ₹2 crore on Day 3 (Sunday). The first weekend total stood at ₹4.25 crore, a strong start for a regional film.
Despite the drop on weekdays, with collections around ₹1.1 to ₹1.3 crore, Lubber Pandhu finished its first week with a total of ₹9.15 crore
Lubber Pandhu Box Office Collection worldwide Day 10
| Day | India Net Collection | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Friday) | ₹0.75 crore | – |
| Day 2 (Saturday) | ₹1.5 crore | +100% |
| Day 3 (Sunday) | ₹2 crore | +33.33% |
| Day 4 (Monday) | ₹1.1 crore | -45.00% |
| Day 5 (Tuesday) | ₹1.2 crore | +9.09% |
| Day 6 (Wednesday) | ₹1.3 crore | +8.33% |
| Day 7 (Thursday) | ₹1.3 crore | 0% |
| Week 1 Total | ₹9.15 crore | |
| Day 8 (Friday) | ₹1.05 crore | -19.23% |
| Day 9 (Saturday) | ₹1.9 crore | +80.95% |
| Day 10 (Sunday) | ₹0.01 crore | -99.47% |
| Total | ₹12.11 crore |
Hit or Flop: What’s the Verdict?
With a 10-day total of ₹12.11 crore, Lubber Pandhu has performed moderately well, especially considering its niche focus on street cricket, a theme that resonates deeply with Tamil audiences. The film, made on a modest budget of ₹10 crore, has nearly broken even, making it likely to be classified as a successful venture. However, the film’s Day 10 collection saw a massive drop, earning only ₹0.01 crore, indicating that its momentum might be slowing down.
The film’s success also hinges on its upcoming release on OTT platforms. Disney+ Hotstar has acquired the digital rights, and the film is expected to reach a larger audience once it hits streaming services
Factors Contributing to Success
Positive Word of Mouth: Lubber Pandhu received positive reviews for its emotional depth, engaging cricket sequences, and strong performances by Harish Kalyan and Attakathi Dinesh. Director Tamizharasan Pachamuthu’s tribute to the late Tamil actor Vijayakanth through Dinesh’s character added a layer of nostalgia, which fans appreciated.
Strong Weekend Boost: The film saw an impressive surge during its first weekend, particularly on Day 3, where it jumped to ₹2 crore. This growth was primarily driven by strong word-of-mouth and a relatable storyline.
Appeal of Cricket-Themed Movies: Cricket-themed films continue to perform well in Tamil cinema, as seen in past successes like Chennai 28. Lubber Pandhu tapped into this trend, offering both humor and sports drama to connect with its target audience.
Challenges and Competition
Weekday Drop: As seen in many regional films, Lubber Pandhu experienced a notable drop in collections during the weekdays, particularly after the first Monday. The film’s weekday earnings hovered around ₹1.1-₹1.3 crore, and by Day 10, its collection had plummeted significantly, signaling that the initial buzz might be fading.
Competition from Other Releases: Lubber Pandhu faced competition from other Kollywood films like Kadaisi Ulaga Por and popular Bollywood releases during its second weekend. This competition likely contributed to its lower occupancy and declining box office numbers.
Conclusion
While Lubber Pandhu has performed well, especially in its first week, its long-term success depends on how well it holds up in the coming days and its eventual release on OTT platforms. With a total collection of ₹12.11 crore in 10 days, the film is close to breaking even and can be considered a modest success. However, with declining daily earnings, its box office fate will largely depend on the support it continues to receive from both theatergoers and digital audiences.
