Vettaiyan Week 1 Box Office Collections: Rajinikanth-Led Investigation Drama Grosses ₹207 Crore Worldwide in 8 Days
Vettaiyan, the much-anticipated investigation drama directed by TJ Gnanavel and featuring a star-studded cast including Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Manju Warrier, Fahadh Faasil, and Rana Daggubati, has completed its first extended week at the box office, grossing an impressive ₹207 crore globally. Despite this being the second-highest Kollywood grosser of 2024, the film’s performance has been somewhat disappointing after a strong start, struggling to maintain momentum throughout the weekdays.
Box Office Performance
Of the ₹207 crore worldwide gross, approximately ₹183 crore came from the extended four-day Dussehra weekend alone, showing a promising start for the film. However, after the festive period, Vettaiyan experienced a steep decline, managing to earn only ₹24 crore during the weekdays. This dramatic drop has cast doubt on the film’s ability to sustain its box office run, and its second weekend will likely determine how far it can go from here. Based on current trends, the film’s chances of bouncing back appear slim.
In India, Vettaiyan grossed ₹134 crore during its extended first week. Tamil Nadu, the home state of superstar Rajinikanth, contributed ₹80 crore to this total. Initially, it seemed that the film would easily cross the ₹100 crore mark in Tamil Nadu and potentially even reach ₹150 crore. However, with the current pace of collections, even reaching ₹100 crore in the state is looking increasingly unlikely.
On the international front, Vettaiyan grossed around $8 million (₹72.75 crore) during its extended weekend but failed to hold strong during the weekdays. As a result, it will likely fall short of $10 million and might even close below $9 million. To put these figures in perspective, Rajinikanth’s previous film, Jailer, grossed over $23 million internationally, highlighting the relative underperformance of Vettaiyan in overseas markets.
Mixed Reception: Strong Initials, but Content Fails to Deliver
Despite the mixed box office results, one thing remains clear: Rajinikanth’s star power is still undeniable. The film’s impressive opening weekend numbers reaffirmed the superstar’s draw at the box office, with fans flocking to theaters to witness the latest spectacle. However, the content of the film has not lived up to expectations, as evidenced by the sharp drop in collections after the initial excitement.
Critics and audiences have expressed disappointment in the storyline and execution, which failed to sustain the film’s early momentum. The dramatic shift in tone and pacing after the first few days contributed to the film’s inability to capitalize on its strong opening. As the audience’s enthusiasm waned, Vettaiyan struggled to maintain the kind of traction needed for long-term success at the box office.
Nevertheless, Vettaiyan has still secured its place as the second-highest-grossing Tamil film of 2024, and it remains to be seen if any upcoming Kollywood films will surpass it. Rajinikanth’s upcoming projects, including Coolie, Hukum, and a pan-India film that has yet to be announced, will undoubtedly keep his fans eagerly waiting for his next big release.
Day-Wise Gross India Box Office Collections
Here is a breakdown of the day-wise box office collections for Vettaiyan in India during its extended first week:
| Day | India Gross Collections (₹ Crore) |
| 1 | 35.65 |
| 2 | 25.50 |
| 3 | 30.00 |
| 4 | 25.00 |
| 5 | 5.85 |
| 6 | 4.35 |
| 7 | 4.50 |
| 8 | 3.15 |
| Total | 134.00 |
With an additional $8.67 million (₹72.75 crore) from international markets, Vettaiyan stands at a global total of ₹206.75 crore at the end of its first eight days.
About Vettaiyan
Vettaiyan centers around SP Athiyan IPS, played by Rajinikanth, an encounter specialist known for his tough stance on crime. Stationed in Kanniyakumari, Athiyan lives with his wife and nephew, maintaining a fearsome reputation among criminals, and earning him the nickname “Vettaiyan” (The Hunter).
Alongside his police work, Athiyan encounters Saranya, a schoolteacher played by Manju Warrier, who fights for the rights of her students and their education. As the story progresses, Amitabh Bachchan takes on the role of Supreme Court Justice Sathyadev, an advocate for human rights, who challenges the ethics of encounters and extrajudicial killings.
The film delves into the conflict between Athiyan’s approach to dealing with criminals and Sathyadev’s belief in upholding the law and protecting human rights. As the plot thickens, Athiyan finds himself transferred to Chennai, setting the stage for a tense investigation and a clash of ideologies that drive the narrative forward.
While the film promises a high-octane investigative drama with themes of justice and morality, it ultimately falls short in its execution, with many critics citing a lack of coherence in the story and pacing issues.
Conclusion: What Lies Ahead for Vettaiyan
Vettaiyan remains in theaters, and its fate largely depends on its performance in the second weekend. With the strong opening numbers from Rajinikanth’s star power, there is still a chance that the film may recover some momentum, although the sharp weekday decline has dampened expectations.
Fans of Rajinikanth can look forward to his upcoming films, which are expected to be more commercial and may resonate better with audiences. However, for Vettaiyan, it seems the content has not lived up to the superstar’s larger-than-life persona, making it difficult for the film to achieve long-term success at the box office.
Whether you’ve already seen Vettaiyan or plan to catch it soon, the film has sparked conversations about the balance between star power and content in delivering a hit. If you’ve watched the film, what’s your take on it? Feel free to share your thoughts as Vettaiyan continues its run in theaters worldwide.