In a commanding display of box office prowess, the latest offering from superstar Rajinikanth, titled “Jailer,” has swiftly stormed its way past the coveted Rs 200 crore milestone within a mere six days of its Indian release. This triumph is poised to propel the film toward the global Rs 400 crore achievement, a distinction previously claimed by only four films in the annals of Tamil cinema: Rajinikanth’s own creations – “2.O” and “Kabali,” along with “Ponniyin Selvan” and “Vikram.” With resolute anticipation, “Jailer” seems primed to stride into this esteemed club imminently.
Initial estimates from industry monitor Sacnilk project that “Jailer,” starring Rajinikanth, reaped a remarkable Rs 33 crore on Independence Day (August 15), elevating its domestic net earnings to a substantial Rs 207.15 crore. Notably, the film is enjoying a record occupancy rate of 81.59 percent in Tamil Nadu.
The cinema landscape is set to witness “Jailer” surmount the collections of Mani Ratnam’s “Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1” in Tamil Nadu, a feat that would establish it as the highest-grossing film in the state. This notion is reinforced by the assessment of industry analyst Ramesh Bala, who asserts, “#Jailer will beat #PS1 to become the Highest Grossing Movie in TN!”
In the Southern expanse, “Jailer” sustains its momentum with limited opposition, as Chiranjeevi’s recent release, “Bhola Shankar,” grapples with box office challenges. However, in the Northern market, “Jailer” contends with the competitive edge of Sunny Deol’s “Gadar 2,” amassing a commendable Rs 229 crore in India since its unveiling on August 11.
Unleashed onto screens on August 10, “Jailer” is a high-octane entertainer embellished with explosive cameos by luminaries such as Shiva Rajkumar, Mohanlal, and Bollywood stalwart Jackie Shroff. The movie’s positive reviews stand as a significant contributor to its phenomenal triumph. In a review, Kirubhakar Purushothaman of indianexpress.com awarded the film 3.5 stars and commented, “While there are similarities between ‘Jailer’ and Kamal Haasan’s ‘Vikram,’ Nelson’s creation doesn’t dwell in the same somberness as Lokesh Kanagaraj’s film. Nelson’s storytelling revels in injecting humor even into the most delicate situations, prioritizing your amusement above all else.”