2024 has been challenging for theatre owners and distributors in Tamil Nadu, with no standout films in terms of box office collections. While Dhanush’s Raayan, released on July 26, grossed over Rs 100 crore, this figure seems modest compared to the high standards set by the Telugu film industry in recent years. Even Lal Salaam, featuring Rajinikanth in a pivotal role, fell flat, receiving lukewarm responses from both critics and audiences. As a result, all eyes are now on Vijay’s The Greatest of All Time (GOAT), set to release on September 5.
The Tamil superstar, who has founded the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party and is gearing up to contest the next Tamil Nadu state election, is reportedly nearing the end of his acting career, with GOAT reportedly being his penultimate film. This fact has significantly fuelled the hype, as fans are eager to see him perform towards the close of his illustrious career. Consequently, tickets for GOAT’s opening day are selling out quickly, bringing a glimmer of hope to theatre owners and distributors. News18 spoke with some industry experts about the box office prospects of GOAT and its potential impact on Tamil cinema in 2024.
Film trade analyst Ramesh Bala confidently predicts that Vijay’s The Greatest of All Time will set the record for the biggest opening day collection in 2024. “Initially, there were mixed expectations due to the songs, but the excitement has been palpable since the trailer release. It will be the biggest opener this year,” he stated.
When asked about his box office predictions, Bala added, “I expect the film to earn around Rs 90 crore worldwide on its first day. In Tamil Nadu alone, it could make approximately Rs 30 crore, with Chennai contributing between Rs 3 to 5 crore.”
However, Bala believes that GOAT may not surpass the opening day collection of Leo, Vijay’s 2023 release, as the anticipation for the upcoming film isn’t as high as it was for its predecessor. “Leo, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and tied to the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), had immense hype,” he explained.
While Leo grossed about Rs 150 crore on its opening day, Bala’s estimation for GOAT is around Rs 100 crore. On the other hand, Ruban, the owner of GK Cinemas in Chennai, is optimistic that GOAT will surpass Leo’s lifetime box office collection.
“I’m confident that GOAT will easily exceed Leo’s lifetime earnings. The trailer has set high expectations among fans, and with Venkat Prabhu directing and a strong ensemble cast, excitement is through the roof. While opening day collections for big films are usually strong, I expect GOAT to break Vijay’s previous record with Leo. It feels like the good days for Tamil cinema in 2024 are just beginning,” Ruban remarked.
Ruban hopes the film will end the tough phase for theatre owners, who have struggled this year. “After Leo, there’s been a significant downturn in Tamil cinema, and GOAT could be the game-changer. Though Raayan, Maharaja, Kalki, and Garudan performed reasonably well, there hasn’t been a mega-blockbuster since Leo. Even last year’s Diwali releases weren’t as successful,” he added.
The stakes are undeniably high for GOAT. The film’s success isn’t just about Vijay and his fanbase; it carries the burden of uplifting the entire Tamil film industry. Sridhar, Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Theatre Association, commented, “There’s no doubt about the first-day performance of Vijay’s film. By tomorrow, all shows will likely be sold out. The real test will be after the opening weekend, depending on the film’s content. We’re hopeful that GOAT will end the slump of 2024, but only time will tell.”
The Greatest of All Time features Vijay in dual roles as a father and son and is directed by Venkat Prabhu, known for his work on Mankatha and Maanaadu. Produced by AGS Entertainment, the film also stars Prabhudheva, Prashanth, Meenakshi Chaudhry, Sneha, and Laila in significant roles.
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