New Delhi: At 75, Rajinikanth has achieved a major milestone, with Jailer 2 becoming Tamil cinema’s first Rs 800-crore grosser. The film crossed the landmark on Sunday, surpassing the lifetime collections of several Bollywood blockbusters.
With Ramayana releasing this Friday, Jailer 2’s earnings are expected to take a hit, although its final worldwide collection remains to be seen.
Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, Jailer 2 opened strongly, collecting Rs 400 crore during its extended four-day opening weekend. The Navratra and Dussehra holidays helped sustain its momentum during the weekdays. The film also performed well after its opening week, recording a strong second weekend and recovering during its third weekend following a midweek slump.
On Sunday, its 18th day in theatres, Jailer 2 earned Rs 11.50 crore net in India. This took its third-weekend collection to Rs 26.40 crore and its total domestic collection to Rs 456 crore net, or Rs 533 crore gross.
Jailer 2 is the only Tamil film to collect Rs 450 crore in India. It has also become the only Tamil film to earn at least Rs 60 crore each in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh-Telangana.
Overseas, the film has earned close to $29 million, driven by Rajinikanth’s popularity in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and North America. Its worldwide gross has reached Rs 808 crore, making it the first Tamil film to enter the Rs 800-crore club. Its overseas earnings are almost the same as Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar.
During its third weekend, Jailer 2 surpassed Aamir Khan’s PK, which collected Rs 769 crore, and Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, which earned Rs 807 crore. Despite expected drops on Monday and Thursday, when Ramayana releases, the film could target Rs 850 crore and surpass Kantara Chapter One and Stree 2.
Produced by Sun Pictures, Jailer 2 features Rajinikanth as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian. Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu, Mirnaa and Rithvik reprise their roles, while S. J. Suryah, Mithun Chakraborty, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Vidya Balan, Anna Rajan and Jatin Sarna join the cast. Hrithik Roshan, Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar and Jackie Shroff make high-profile cameo appearances.
