Hey there, movie buffs! If you’re a fan of high-octane action flicks with a dash of social commentary, you’ve probably heard the buzz around Thunivu Box Office Collection. Released back in January 2023, this Tamil heist thriller starring Ajith Kumar didn’t just entertain audiences—it turned heads at the box office too. Directed by H. Vinoth and produced by Boney Kapoor, Thunivu Box Office Collectionclashed head-on with Thalapathy Vijay’s Varisu during the festive Pongal season. Talk about a blockbuster showdown! But guess what? Thunivu held its ground, raking in impressive numbers worldwide and proving once again why Ajith is called “Thala” by his die-hard fans.
In this easy-to-digest article, we’ll break down the Thunivu box office collection day by day, region by region, and even compare it to its rival. Whether you’re a numbers nerd or just curious about how much this bank-robbery saga minted, stick around. We’ve got tables for quick glances, fun facts, and a human touch—no jargon overload here. Let’s dive in!
What Makes Thunivu a Box Office Contender?
Before we crunch the numbers, a quick plot tease (no spoilers!): Thunivu follows “Dark Devil” (Ajith Kumar), a mysterious mastermind who hijacks a bank heist gone wrong, exposing corporate greed along the way. With Manju Warrier as his sharp-witted partner Kanmani, Samuthirakani adding gravitas, and flashy action sequences, it’s a visual treat. Ghibran’s score amps up the tension, and Nirav Shah’s cinematography makes every frame pop.
The film hit screens on January 11, 2023, right in the heart of Pongal celebrations. Budget-wise, Thunivu was a big bet—estimated at around ₹200 crore, including Ajith’s hefty ₹40-60 crore salary. That’s no small change, but with pre-sales of theatrical rights crossing ₹86 crore (Tamil Nadu alone fetched ₹60 crore), the stage was set for a hit. Non-theatrical deals sweetened the pot: satellite rights for ₹20 crore and digital for ₹65 crore. So, even before the first show, it was in profit territory. But could it survive the Varisu clash? Spoiler: It did, and then some.
Thunivu Box Office Collection Breakdown: A Rollercoaster Ride
Nothing beats the thrill of tracking a film’s daily earnings, right? Thunivu exploded out of the gate, thanks to Pongal holidays and Ajith’s star power. It edged out Varisu on Day 1 in Tamil Nadu but faced stiff competition later. Here’s a simple table summarizing the India net collections (all languages, including Telugu version Kolai Vendhan). These are estimates from reliable trackers like Sacnilk and trade analysts—box office numbers can vary slightly, but this gives the real picture.
| Day | Date (2023) | India Net Collection (₹ Cr) | Cumulative India Net (₹ Cr) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Wed) | Jan 11 | 24.40 | 24.40 | Bumper Pongal opener; beat Varisu in TN with ₹24.59 Cr gross. Worldwide: ~₹36 Cr. |
| Day 2 (Thu) | Jan 12 | 11.80 | 36.20 | Steady hold; family crowds boosted it. Worldwide crossed ₹50 Cr. |
| Day 3 (Fri) | Jan 13 | 8.30 | 44.50 | Weekend kickoff; action scenes pulled crowds. TN share: ~₹46 Cr. |
| Day 4 (Sat) | Jan 14 | 10.00 | 54.50 | Holiday boost; hit ₹100 Cr worldwide mark! |
| Day 5 (Sun) | Jan 15 | 12.90 | 67.40 | Peak weekend; overseas surged to ₹39 Cr in 5 days. |
| Day 6 (Mon) | Jan 16 | 7.00 | 74.40 | Post-holiday dip, but still strong at 33% occupancy. |
| Day 7 (Tue) | Jan 17 | 5.50 | 79.90 | Word-of-mouth helped; crossed ₹150 Cr worldwide. |
| Day 8 (Wed) | Jan 18 | 4.20 | 84.10 | Mid-week steady; TN gross hit ₹96 Cr. |
| Day 9 (Thu) | Jan 19 | 3.80 | 87.90 | Holding well; UAE lifetime beat Valimai. |
| Day 10 (Fri) | Jan 20 | 2.30 | 90.20 | Weekend recovery expected; total WW ~₹196 Cr. |
| Day 15 (Wed) | Jan 25 | 0.90 | 109.15 | Slowdown, but steady; WW at ₹179 Cr. |
| Day 30 (Thu) | Feb 9 | 0.65 | 121.87 | Long-run legs; final India net settled here. |
By the end of its theatrical run (around 50 days), Thunivu clocked ₹121.87 Cr India net, translating to ₹144.1 Cr India gross. That’s a solid hold—dropping just 70% from its opening week, thanks to repeat viewings for Ajith’s swag and those twisty heist moments. Fun fact: It completed 50 days in theaters, a rare feat in today’s OTT era!
Worldwide Thunivu Box Office Collection: Crossing Borders with Style
Thunivu wasn’t just a Tamil Nadu darling—it went global! The film’s universal theme of fighting corruption resonated overseas, especially in the US, UAE, and Malaysia. Final worldwide gross? A whopping ₹200 Cr (estimates range from ₹190-220 Cr across sources). Overseas alone contributed ₹55.9 Cr, making it Ajith’s biggest international earner ever—beating Valimai by a mile.
Here’s a regional split for the lifetime collections (India gross + overseas):
| Region | Gross Collection (₹ Cr) | Share for Makers (₹ Cr) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | 107-110 | 61+ | Heart of the action; 10th highest-grossing Tamil film in TN. |
| Rest of India (Karnataka, AP/Telangana, Kerala, etc.) | 15-18 | 5-7 | Telugu version added ₹4.5 Cr; steady in Karnataka (₹14 Cr total). |
| Overseas (US, UAE, Malaysia, etc.) | 55.9 | 15+ | UAE: $784K (beat Valimai); US: Strong fan screenings. |
| Total Worldwide | 200 | 86+ | Hit verdict: Recouped budget + profit! |
With distributor share hitting ₹86 Cr theatrical alone, plus non-theatrical ₹85 Cr, total recovery was over ₹171 Cr—way above the ₹200 Cr budget. Profit? Around ₹16-30 Cr table profit, calling it a clean Hit. Ajith fans, that’s your Thala delivering bang for the buck!
Thunivu vs Varisu: The Ultimate Pongal Box Office Battle
Ah, the clash that had fans in a frenzy! After nine years, Ajith and Vijay went toe-to-toe. Thunivu (action-packed heist) vs Varisu (feel-good family drama)—it was like masala vs mithai. Thunivu won Day 1 in TN (₹24.59 Cr vs ₹19.43 Cr), but Varisu‘s emotional pull gave it longer legs.
Check this comparison table for lifetime figures:
| Metric | Thunivu (₹ Cr) | Varisu (₹ Cr) | Winner? |
|---|---|---|---|
| India Net | 121.87 | 210 (Tamil alone: 175) | Varisu |
| India Gross | 144.1 | ~250 | Varisu |
| Overseas | 55.9 | 89 | Varisu |
| Worldwide Gross | 200 | 299 | Varisu (by ₹99 Cr!) |
| TN Gross | 107 | 143 | Varisu |
| Budget | 200 | 280 | Thunivu (lower risk, quicker ROI) |
| Verdict | Hit | Super Hit | Tie—both profitable! |
Varisu pulled ahead globally (₹90 Cr+ lead by Week 2), thanks to Vijay’s mass appeal overseas. But Thunivu punched above its weight in TN and entered profits first (Day 6!). No losers here—together, they grossed ₹500 Cr, a Pongal gift to Kollywood.
Why Thunivu‘s Box Office Success Matters
Beyond the crores, Thunivu was a statement. It tackled bank scams and corporate loot in a fun, explosive way—perfect for audiences craving more than mindless action. Ajith’s anti-hero vibe (that ponytail and dance moves? Iconic!) drew crowds, while Manju Warrier’s fierce role broke barriers. Critics gave mixed reviews (IMDb: 6.1/10), but fans loved the message: “No guts, no glory.”
Occupancy-wise, it started at 70%+ in TN primes and held 20-30% in later weeks—proof of sustained buzz. Post-theatrical, it streamed on Netflix, adding to the hype. For Ajith, it’s his second-highest grosser after Viswasam (₹205 Cr). In Tamil cinema’s top earners, it ranks around 30th, but hey, quality over quantity!
Wrapping Up: Thunivu Box Office Collection Heist Worth Watching
Whew, what a ride! Thunivu Box Office Collection journey—from a ₹24 Cr opener to ₹200 Cr worldwide—shows star power, smart storytelling, and festive timing can conquer any clash. Sure, Varisu took the crown, but Ajith’s thriller stole hearts (and wallets) with its gutsy narrative. If you haven’t seen it, grab some popcorn and stream it—those twists still hit hard.
