Ajith Kumar’s much-anticipated action thriller Vidaamuyarchi has hit theatres and is off to a strong start at the box office. The film, directed by Magizh Thirumeni, collected Rs 22 crore across India on its opening day, with a massive Rs 21.5 crore coming from Tamil Nadu alone. The Telugu version contributed Rs 50 lakh to the total.
According to Sacnilk reports, Vidaamuyarchi recorded an overall Tamil Nadu occupancy of 61.23% on its first day, with night shows peaking at 71.06%. Meanwhile, the film’s occupancy in Telugu and Hindi markets was relatively lower at 12.82% and 16.02%, respectively. ETimes rated the film with 2.5 stars out of 5 and our exclusive review reads, “Vidaamuyarchi is not the usual Ajith outing and marks a departure from his typical mass masala films with an entry song and lengthy dialogues. While there are two ways to see this, the movie might be disappointing for Ajith fans expecting mass moments. Ajith wields a white flag from the beginning and stays away from putting up a fight until heavily provoked. For an action thriller, he gets beaten up more than he can beat up. The action sequences are ordinary and natural, and don’t suit the tone of the film. Vidaamuyarchi lacks the stand-out moment fans eagerly look forward to, truly failing to deliver its intended impact. Ajith is stoic as a man who is caught unaware of why Kayal is divorcing him. Throughout the film, he puts up a class act as the film focuses on content over style. Trisha appears prominently in the first half, but has very little to do in the second as she goes missing.”
Ajith Kumar has worked with noted actors Trisha Krishnan, Arjun Sarja, and Regina Cassandra, delivering performances intended to draw substantial audience interest. Vidaamuyarchi, produced by Subaskaran Allirajah under the banner of Lyca Productions, is reportedly backed by substantial financial support, with production costs estimated between Rs 225 and 330 crore. This action thriller has been particularly noted for its lavish settings and production quality, being shot extensively in Azerbaijan.
While expectations were high, the film's advance bookings indicated potential success. Prior to release, Vidaamuyarchi amassed Rs 13.91 crore from advance sales alone, with total pre-sales gathering momentum and reportedly seeing ticket sales surpassing 7,15,631 tickets sold. Early estimates suggest the opening weekend could accumulate significant financial gains, possibly staggering box office records.
The film's path to box office success, though promising, is not without its challenges. Mixed receptions and critiques may impact its sustained performance. Critically, the film was expected to become Ajith's first film to cross Rs 50 crore on the opening day globally, as indicated by various industry analysts. "...the big-ticket comedy entertainer kicked off well at the box office," noted industry reports, predicting substantial opening day collections.
Despite the positive starts, industry experts advise caution, pointing to the need for positive word-of-mouth recommendations to support box office sales moving forward. Towards the close of the day, mixed feedback continued its roll-out among viewers, creating uncertainty about how the film will fare post-opening weekend. The initial feedback, which has been less than stellar critically speaking, might limit walk-in patronage thereafter.
Still, consistent support from major actors affords Vidaamuyarchi some leverage. Ajith Kumar's star power, combined with audience anticipation over his long-awaited return to the screen (after two years), contributes to brisk ticket sales. Overall, Vidaamuyarchi has made its mark as the biggest opener from Kollywood for 2025, significantly outperforming its predecessor, Madha Gaja Raja, which fetched only Rs 3 crore on its opening day — showcasing around 666-733% higher collection.
Looking beyond the day one figures, the performance of Vidaamuyarchi will be closely monitored. Mixed reviews at this early stage may cast doubts on longevity but solid marketing and early financial returns play integral roles. Early indications reflect both hope and expectation among enthusiasts for sustained traction through the coming weekend.
To sum it up, as tensions swirl about the future performance of Vidaamuyarchi, the day’s strong earnings provide reason for both optimism and caution. The audacity and spirit of Ajith Kumar along with this dynamic nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime puts audiences on edge, ready to unpack what lies within Vidaamuyarchi over subsequent days. The opening performances, though commendable, will need to be supported by positive audience experiences to navigate the competitive cinematic landscapes.