Rajinikanth's "Jailer 2" has made a thunderous start at the box office, collecting an estimated Rs 125.25 crore gross worldwide on its opening day. Released in theatres on October 15, the Nelson Dilipkumar directorial has registered one of the biggest openings of the superstar's career.
However, the action entertainer has fallen short of the opening-day record set by "Coolie", which collected around Rs 150 crore worldwide.
According to trade tracker Sacnilk, Jailer 2 earned Rs 59.70 crore net in India on its first day, with the domestic gross standing at Rs 70.25 crore. The film's overseas earnings contributed approximately Rs 55 crore, taking its worldwide gross to Rs 125.25 crore.
Despite missing out on the top spot, the opening figures underline the enormous box-office pull of Rajinikanth, whose return as Muthuvel Pandian has generated considerable excitement among fans. The film has also surpassed the opening-day performance of its 2023 predecessor, Jailer, according to reported box-office estimates.
Coolie remains ahead of Jailer 2
While Jailer 2 has crossed the Rs 100 crore mark worldwide on its opening day, Coolie continues to hold the advantage in the race between Rajinikanth's recent big-ticket releases. Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, reportedly collected around Rs 150 crore worldwide on its first day. The comparison places Jailer 2 among the major opening-day performers in Tamil cinema, even as it falls short of the benchmark set by Coolie. The sequel's strong start, however, gives it a solid platform for the days ahead.
Tamil version leads domestic collections
The Tamil version emerged as the biggest contributor to Jailer 2's India collection, earning Rs 43.35 crore net. The Telugu version added Rs 12.50 crore, while the Hindi version collected Rs 3.50 crore. The Kannada version contributed approximately Rs 35 lakh.
The film's domestic performance was supported by substantial audience turnout across its language versions. However, its Hindi-market reach has faced a setback, with major multiplex chains PVR INOX and Cinepolis reportedly not screening the film in North India amid a disagreement over the proposed four-week theatrical-to-OTT window.
Also read: Jailer 2: Why are Mohanlal fans incensed about the Rajinikanth-led Jailer sequel?
Can Jailer 2 emerge as a blockbuster?
The opening-day numbers have given "Jailer 2" a strong start, but its final box-office outcome will depend on how well it sustains its momentum over the coming days. The response from audiences, weekend collections and its performance in overseas markets will be crucial in determining whether the film can build on its impressive debut.
Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Sun Pictures, the film brings Rajinikanth back as the formidable Muthuvel Pandian. The ensemble cast includes Ramya Krishnan, Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, Vidya Balan, Suraj Venjaramoodu, SJ Suryah and Mithun Chakraborty, among others.
With a worldwide opening of Rs 125.25 crore, Jailer 2 has already made a significant impact at the box office. Whether the sequel can sustain the momentum and emerge as a major commercial success will become clearer as its theatrical run progresses.
