The highly anticipated Vettaiyan hit the big screens on October 10, 2024, creating an instant buzz across India. With Rajinikanth in the lead role and Amitabh Bachchan making a grand return to Tamil cinema, fans are expecting this action-packed film to make a significant mark at the box office. Directed by T.J. Gnanavel, the film also stars talented actors like Fahadh Faasil, Manju Warrier, and Rana Daggubati, adding to the film’s massive appeal. Coming on the heels of Rajinikanth’s previous blockbuster, Jailer, industry experts and fans are eager to see how Vettaiyan performs on its opening day.
Pre-Release Buzz and Advance Bookings
Prior to its release, Vettaiyan enjoyed a robust advance booking phase, grossing approximately ₹11.71 crore from over 600,000 tickets across nearly 9,000 shows. While it fell short of the advance booking numbers of Jailer, which collected ₹18.24 crore, Vettaiyan managed to surpass Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2, which had ₹10.98 crore in pre-sales
The film’s Tamil version dominated advance bookings, with notable contributions from Telugu and Hindi markets. However, the expectations were tempered, with industry experts like Raja Shekar pointing out that the promotions for Vettaiyan were more subdued compared to Rajinikanth’s previous outings
Day 1 Box Office Predictions
Trade experts are optimistic about the film’s box office potential on its first day. Early estimates suggest that Vettaiyan is set to gross around ₹7.49 crore in India alone on Day 1, with worldwide collections expected to cross ₹10 crore. The film’s stellar cast and Rajinikanth’s enduring popularity in both Tamil Nadu and Telugu-speaking regions are expected to drive significant footfall in theaters
Given the hype and pre-release momentum, analysts predict Vettaiyan could pull in between ₹70-80 crore worldwide on its first day, making it one of the top openers of 2024. However, it remains to be seen whether it will outperform Jailer, which set a high benchmark with its ₹48 crore India gross on Day 1
Factors Driving the Box Office
Several factors contribute to the positive box office outlook for Vettaiyan. First, the film reunites Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan after 33 years, the last time being in the 1991 Bollywood film Hum. This historic collaboration has drawn attention from across the country, with fans excited to see these two legends share the screen again.
The festive release timing, ahead of the Dussehra holiday, also plays in the film’s favor. Historically, Rajinikanth’s films have benefited from festival releases, and Vettaiyan is likely to follow the same trend, attracting massive crowds during the extended holiday period.
Box Office Prediction Table for Vettaiyan Day 1:
| Day | Box Office Collection (India) |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | ₹7.49 Crore (estimated) |
Will Vettaiyan Match Jailer’s Success?
Although Vettaiyan is poised for a solid opening, it is being closely compared to Jailer, Rajinikanth’s 2023 blockbuster, which grossed over ₹48 crore on its first day. Jailer had the advantage of massive pre-release promotions, coupled with its catchy storyline, which propelled it to instant success. While Vettaiyan’s advance booking numbers suggest a promising start, the relatively muted promotional campaign could impact its overall Day 1 performance.
Nevertheless, Rajinikanth’s star power remains unmatched, and the film’s strong advance bookings indicate that it has every chance to build momentum over the weekend. If the film garners positive word-of-mouth, it could sustain its collections throughout its opening week and potentially match Jailer’s overall box office performance
Conclusion
Vettaiyan has all the ingredients of a box office success, from an iconic cast to a captivating narrative. While early predictions suggest that it may not quite match the record-breaking figures of Jailer on its first day, the film is still expected to open strong, particularly in the Tamil and Telugu markets. With Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan at the helm, Vettaiyan is set for a promising journey at the box office. As more data comes in over the next few days, all eyes will be on how this film performs and whether it can solidify itself as one of the top earners of 2024.
