Ajith Kumar's Film 'Vidaamuyarchi' Faces Major Decline at Box Office
Following its promising debut, director Magizh Thirumeni's action thriller 'Vidaamuyarchi' is experiencing significant challenges at the box office. Released on February 6, 2025, the film opened strong with collections reaching Rs 26 crore on its first day. By its second day, the film's earnings plunged nearly 60.58%, wrapping up at Rs 10.25 crore, according to trade tracker Sacnilk. This drastic decline has raised eyebrows among cinema enthusiasts and industry experts alike.
'Vidaamuyarchi,' which translates to 'Rise,' deviates from traditional masala films typically associated with Ajith. Instead, it is presented as a gripping narrative involving high stakes rescue missions. Despite receiving mixed reviews, early reports praised the film's engaging story and Kumar’s standout performance.
On its second day, the film's overall occupancy dipped to 36.5%. The day saw occupancy rates gradually improve throughout, reaching over 55% during the night shows, signalling some revival based on positive audience feedback. For comparison, right after its release, 'Thunivu,' Ajith's previous film, managed lower second day earnings at Rs 6.12 crore but started stronger on its opening day with Rs 28.6 crore.
The mixed audience reception coupled with reduced occupancy led to disappointment among the production team. The film's extensive promotion primarily focused on its Tamil release, with the Telugu version, 'Pattudala,' barely reaching notable figures, earning only Rs 35 lakh on its second day.
Industry analysts note the film's opening numbers surpassing 'Thunivu,' yet they still fall short of 'Valimai,' which collected Rs 31.7 crore on its debut. 'Vidaamuyarchi's' performance highlights the competitive environment it faces against other releases like 'Thandel' and 'Badass Ravikumar,' though it remains to be seen if the film can reclaim momentum over the upcoming weekend.
The weekend screening saw hopes for recovery since there were no major Tamil releases scheduled until February 21. Observers are anticipating potential boosts from word-of-mouth, as the film’s narrative about rescuing ajith’s kidnapped wife may resonate with audiences, encouraging higher turnout.
Despite the drop on Day 3, early numbers suggested the film might recover slightly, earning Rs 6.3 crore with total collections nearing Rs 42.55 crore net by Saturday evening. Reportedly, the gross worldwide collection had exceeded Rs 66 crore across the first two days.
The budget for 'Vidaamuyarchi' ranges between Rs 225 crore and Rs 300 crore, and as the days progress, the financial outcome now hinges largely on its weekend traffic and overseas collections. This high-stakes scenario brings pressure on both the film's cast and production house, Lyca Productions, to deliver substantial earnings.
'Vidaamuyarchi' stars Ajith Kumar alongside Trisha Krishnan, and features Arjun Sarja and Regina Cassandra, showcasing their talents effectively. The film is said to be adapted from the American film 'Breakdown,' allowing for direct comparisons to Hollywood standards, and many critics have praised its cinematography and action sequences.
Reactions from cinema-goers on social media portrayed 'Vidaamuyarchi' as engaging, with many praising its thrilling nature. Director Vignesh Shivan tweeted, "#vidaamuyarchi such an intense thriller! Like solving a puzzle, keeps you hooked from the first to the last frame!!" This sentiment reflects the anticipation generated around the film, alongside Kumar's performance which audiences find captivating.
For now, the story of 'Vidaamuyarchi' stands as a telling example of how box office dynamics can swiftly change, catching fans and filmmakers by surprise. Industry insiders and fans will be eagerly waiting for the film's performance trends over the remaining weekend, hoping for it to reverse the current downward slide.