Hey there, movie lovers! If you’re a fan of larger-than-life action, heartfelt family drama, and that unbeatable Rajinikanth charisma, then Annaatthe Box Office Collection is probably etched in your memory. Released back in 2021, this Tamil action drama didn’t just storm the theaters—it set the box office on fire during Diwali, proving once again why the Superstar’s return after a two-year hiatus was worth every cheer. But let’s be real: while it raked in massive numbers early on, the film’s journey at the box office was a rollercoaster of highs, rains (literally!), and a bittersweet verdict. In this easy-to-digest piece, we’ll break down the Annaatthe Box Office Collection day by day, week by week, and region by region. Whether you’re revisiting the hype or discovering it for the first time, grab some popcorn— we’re diving in with all the fun facts, numbers, and that human touch to make it feel like a chat over chai.
What Makes Annaatthe Such a Rajinikanth Classic?
Before we crunch the numbers, let’s set the scene. Annaatthe (which translates to “Big Brother” in Tamil) is the kind of film that feels like a warm hug mixed with explosive action. Directed by the mass entertainer Siva (think Vedalam and Viswasam), it stars the one and only Rajinikanth as Kaalaiyan, a no-nonsense village leader who’s all about protecting his sister (played by the bubbly Keerthy Suresh). Throw in powerhouse performances from Nayanthara as the love interest, Prakash Raj as the scheming villain, and a stellar supporting cast including Meena, Khushbu, Soori, and Jagapathi Babu, and you’ve got a recipe for family viewing gold.
The film hit screens on November 4, 2021, right on Diwali, making it the perfect festival treat. Produced by Sun Pictures’ Kalanithi Maran, Annaatthe was shot mostly in Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City, with music by D. Imman that had everyone humming tracks like “Annaatthe Annaatthe.” It was Rajinikanth’s 168th film, and fans were starving for his signature style—those punch dialogues, thumping BGM, and heroic entries. Budget-wise, it clocked in at around ₹180 crore, a massive investment post-COVID that included top-notch VFX, action choreography by Dhilip Subbarayan, and cinematography by Vetri that captured rural Tamil Nadu’s vibrant soul.
But here’s the twist: while critics weren’t kind (calling it formulaic and overly long at 2 hours 58 minutes), Rajinikanth’s star power turned it into a fan frenzy. Theaters added midnight shows, and families flocked in droves. Now, onto the moolah—because nothing says “success” like those box office fireworks!
The Explosive Opening: Annaatthe Box Office Collection Day 1
Diwali 2021 wasn’t just about sweets and lights; it was Annaatthe lighting up the box office. The film opened in over 2,100 screens worldwide, including 900 in India and a whopping 1,193 overseas—the widest release for a Tamil film post-lockdown. And boy, did it deliver!
On Day 1, Annaatthe grossed a staggering ₹70.19 crore worldwide. That’s right—₹34.92 crore just from Tamil Nadu alone, smashing Vijay’s Sarkar (₹32 crore) to become the highest Day 1 opener in Kollywood history. In India net terms, it pulled in ₹29.90 crore, with overseas adding ₹16 crore (hello, $400K from US premieres!). Chennai alone contributed ₹1.71 crore, while Bengaluru chipped in ₹2.10 crore.
Fans queued up from dawn, chanting “Thalaivar!” as theaters in Tamil Nadu ran at 90%+ occupancy. Trade analyst Manobala Vijayabalan tweeted it best: “Superstar magic at its peak!” This wasn’t just a number; it was a statement—Rajinikanth was back, and the world was watching.
Steady Momentum: Day 2 and Day 3 Breakdown
The hype didn’t fizzle out overnight. Day 2 saw a natural dip (holidays end, right?), but Annaatthe still minted ₹42.63 crore worldwide, pushing the two-day total to ₹112.82 crore. India gross was around ₹34.15 crore, with Tamil Nadu holding strong at over ₹20 crore. Overseas markets like the US and Singapore kept the fire burning, adding another chunk.
By Day 3 (Sunday), the weekend warrior collected ₹33.71 crore globally, crossing the ₹100 crore mark in just three days—a rare feat for any Indian film that year. Tamil Nadu’s three-day haul? A historic ₹53.50 crore net, the first Tamil movie to hit 50 crore in a weekend. Total so far: ₹146.53 crore worldwide. Even with mixed word-of-mouth, Rajinkanth’s pull ensured packed houses, especially in family circuits.
Rains in Tamil Nadu slowed things a tad on Day 3, but extra screens (including 2 AM shows!) kept the momentum alive. As one fan put it online: “Who needs umbrellas when Thalaivar’s raining action?”
Week 1 Wonders: Hitting the 200 Crore Milestone
Annaatthe didn’t just survive the weekdays—it thrived. Here’s a quick snapshot in a table for that easy read:
| Day | Worldwide Gross (₹ Crore) | India Net (₹ Crore) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 70.19 | 29.90 | Record Tamil Nadu opener; US premieres buzz |
| Day 2 | 42.63 | ~25.00 | Weekend hold strong; family crowds peak |
| Day 3 | 33.71 | ~22.00 | Crosses ₹100 Cr; highest 3-day Tamil gross |
| Day 4 | 28.20 | ~18.00 | Monday dip, but steady in South India |
| Day 5 | 11.85 | ~8.00 | Rain-affected, yet overseas shines |
| Day 6-7 | ~16.00 (combined) | ~10.00 | Weekend revival; total Week 1: ₹202.47 Cr |
By the end of Week 1 (Day 7), Annaatthe had grossed ₹202.47 crore worldwide—entering the 200 crore club faster than expected. Tamil Nadu alone contributed ₹119.53 crore, proving the film’s heartland strength. Overseas? Over ₹47 crore already, with the US hitting $600K in three days, making it the top Tamil earner there for 2021.
This phase was pure Rajinikanth magic. Despite some calling the plot “recycled” (brother-sister bonds from Siva’s earlier hits), the emotional scenes—like the baby shower sequence—had audiences teary-eyed and cheering.
Week 2 and Beyond: Holding Steady Amid Challenges
Entering Week 2, Annaatthe faced the post-festival slump, plus those pesky Chennai rains. But it bounced back like a champ. Day 8-10 collections jumped from ₹4.05 crore to ₹6.21 crore, thanks to word-of-mouth in rural areas.
| Week | Worldwide Addition (₹ Crore) | Cumulative Total (₹ Crore) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 202.47 | 202.47 | 200 Cr club; TN dominance |
| Week 2 (Days 8-14) | ~15.16 | 217.63 | Rise despite rains; US steady |
| Week 3+ | ~10-20 (est.) | 227-239 | Slow tail; digital rights boost |
By Day 10, it was at ₹211.52 crore, and the second weekend pushed it to ₹217.63 crore. The film held screens for over a month, but legs weakened outside Tamil Nadu—Telugu version flopped, Hindi circuits were modest (under ₹10 crore total).
Overseas remained a bright spot, with ₹47.7-55 crore gross, driven by diaspora love in the US, UK, and UAE. India gross settled at ₹124.3 crore, with net at ₹106.77 crore.
Regional Breakdown: Where Did the Money Flow?
Annaatthe was a Tamil tiger with national paws. Here’s the territorial split (lifetime estimates):
| Region | Gross Collection (₹ Crore) | Share of Total (%) | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | 132.67-150 | ~65% | Heart of the beast; historic 3-day ₹53.50 Cr net |
| Rest of India (Karnataka, AP/Telugu, Hindi, Kerala) | 20-30 | ~15% | Telugu underperformed; Hindi got 700 screens but modest returns |
| Overseas (US, Singapore, UK, etc.) | 47.7-55 | ~20% | Top Tamil 2021 earner in US; 1,193 screens globally |
| Total Worldwide | 227-239 | 100% | 2nd highest Tamil grosser of 2021 (after Master) |
Tamil Nadu was the undisputed king—fans there turned it into a cultural event. Outside, it was Rajinikanth’s brand that carried the day, not the plot twists.
Budget, Verdict, and the Big Picture: Hit or Miss?
Clocking a budget of ₹160-180 crore (including prints and ads), Annaatthe needed ~₹250-300 crore to break even theatrically. It ended at ₹227-239 crore worldwide gross (India net ₹106.77 Cr), making it a semi-hit or average verdict overall. In Tamil: Losing (due to high expectations); Telugu: Flop. But hey, in a post-COVID world, pulling 200+ crore was no small feat—it revived theater hopes!
Critics panned the “manipulative” emotions and dated tropes (IMDb: 4.0/10), but fans loved the nostalgia. It streamed on Netflix (Hindi dubbed) from November 25, 2021, and Sun TV during Pongal, grabbing record TRPs. Rajinikanth’s energy? Timeless. As he said in a dialogue: “Annaatthe is not just a brother; he’s the protector of all.”
Legacy of Annaatthe: More Than Just Numbers
Looking back in 2025, Annaatthe Box Office Collection isn’t just stats—it’s a testament to stardom’s pull. It outperformed expectations in a pandemic-hit industry, boosted by Diwali vibes and Rajinikanth’s 70+ energy. Sure, it didn’t rewrite cinema, but it reminded us why we love mass entertainers: for the laughs, tears, and that unbeatable “Thalaivar” roar.
