"Thalaivaa" is scoring big at the domestic as well as international box office, thanks to Vijay's star power.
Despite receiving mixed reviews, "Thalaivaa" embarked on an impressive start in the overseas markets like the US and the UK. The Vijay starrer has been declared a hit in UK, where the film raked in ₹2.37 crore till Sunday (25 August). [Also Read - 'Thalaivaa' Box Office Collection: Vijay Starrer Performs Decently in Kerala]
"Thalaivaa" earned approximately ₹5 lakh (£ 5,050) in its third weekend. [Please note the amount is calculated based on the current exchange rate: 1 Pound = around 100 rupees]. The film had minted ₹2.09 crore at the end of the second weekend in the UK box office. Now (after the third weekend), the film's total collections are pegged at ₹2.37 crore.
"Tamil film #Thalaivaa continues its victorious march in UK. Total till Sunday night: £ 236,050 [Rs 2.37 cr]. HIT," film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted.
Indian markets
"Thalaivaa" has done good business in key markets including Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh (Telugu dubbed version titled "Anna").
The action-drama flick, which hit Tamil Nadu theatres more than a week after the original release on 9 August, had a very good opening in most of the places across the state.
Particularly, "Thalaivaa" rules the Chennai box office despite new releases. Vijay's huge fan base has ensured that the film has a good start even though it hit the screens on a weekday. The average occupancy in Chennai theatres is around 80 percent during weekdays and 85 percent in weekends.
According to a report in Behindwoods, "Thalaivaa" fetched around ₹4 crore in the first week at the Chennai box office.
However, the official numbers are yet to be announced.
"Jilla"
Vijay will be next seen in "Jilla", directed by RT Nesan. The actor had commenced working on the film before "Thalaivaa" was released. Although "Thalaivaa" was facing release issues, "Jilla" was not affected in any manner.
The shooting of the film is progressing at a brisk pace across India. Kajal Aggarwal, who was the leading actress in "Thuppakki", is once again paired opposite Vijay in "Jilla". The film boasts of a big star cast including Mohanlal, Poornima Bhagyaraj, Mahat Raghavendra, Vidyullekha Raman and Thambi Ramaiah.
The first look of the film is said to have been ready. The film's producer and the director are waiting to get Vijay's nod to release the look. "Jilla" is expected to hit the screens on Pongal 2014.