Ajith Kumar's twin releases, Suriya's Retro, Kamal Haasan's Thug Life: Analysing Kollywood's box office run in 2025 so far
Although these films were noted for their content and talented cast, fans had to wait until February 2025 for the year's first big-star release – Vidaamuyarchi, starring
Ajith Kumar
and
Trisha Krishnan
.
One of the most anticipated films, Retro featuring
Suriya
, failed to perform well at the box office and did not leave a strong impression on either fans or critics. As 2025 has now reached its halfway point, some highly awaited releases from Rajinikanth, Vijay Sethupathi, and
Dhanush
are still in the pipeline.
Ajith Kumar's Good Bad Ugly, which released in April, has so far dominated the Kollywood box office in 2025. The film became the highest-grossing Tamil release of the year, with global earnings of Rs 246.8 crore. None of the subsequent releases, including Dhanush's Kuberaa, managed to surpass this record.
With a few major star films lined up for release, let's take a closer look at Kollywood's box office performance from January to July 2025.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Affordable Auto Insurance: Discover Quality Coverage At Great Prices
Top Answers
Learn More
Undo
Vidaamuyarchi
Starring Ajith Kumar and Trisha Krishnan in key roles, Vidaamuyarchi hit cinemas on 6 February and earned Rs 135.65 crore worldwide, according to Sacnilk. Directed by Magizh Thirumeni, the film was inspired by the 1997 American movie Breakdown. It also featured Arjun Sarja, Regina Cassandra, and Arav in pivotal roles. Originally slated for a Pongal release in January, the film was postponed to February, ultimately becoming the highest-grossing Tamil film in early 2025.
However, it did not receive the typically euphoric response Ajith's films usually garner. Had the storyline resonated more with fans, its box office numbers could have been even higher.
Dragon
Ashwath Marimuthu's Dragon, starring young actor Pradeep Ranganathan, surpassed Vidaamuyarchi by grossing Rs 151.83 crore worldwide. The film delivered a light-hearted yet emotional cinematic experience. The cast included Anupama Parameswaran, Kayadu Lohar, Mysskin, Gautham Vasudev Menon, K.
S. Ravikumar, and George Maryan.
Following the film's success, Pradeep expressed gratitude to fans and the Telugu audience for their support. He also revealed that director Ashwath Marimuthu aimed for Dragon to be a widely accepted work of art rather than a typical blockbuster.
Retro
Suriya's high-budget pan-Indian film Kanguva, alongside Bobby Deol, failed to make an impact in 2024. His next venture, Retro, directed by
Karthik Subbaraj
, was highly anticipated due to Karthik's unique and realistic storytelling, promising a strong comeback for Suriya.
Despite the buzz, the gangster drama failed to meet expectations and managed only Rs 97.35 crore at the worldwide box office.
Karthik Subbaraj later admitted that the film became a target of negative campaigns on social media. In an interview with Galatta, he expressed confusion over the hate, especially since those who watched and liked the film were unsure about the backlash. In another interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, he explained that while Retro reflected his signature style, the pressure of working with a big star and budget affected the film.
He has since announced an upcoming indie project without a major star. Meanwhile, Suriya fans eagerly await his collaborations with RJ Balaji and Venky Atluri.
Good Bad Ugly
Ajith Kumar transformed the Kollywood box office with Good Bad Ugly, directed by Adhik Ravichandran. As of now, it is the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025, collecting Rs 246.8 crore globally. The film featured an ensemble cast, including Trisha Krishnan, Arjun Das, Sunil, Prabhu, Prasanna, Karthikeya Dev, Priya Prakash Varrier, Jackie Shroff, Shine Tom Chacko, Tinnu Anand, B.
S. Avinash, and Raghu Ram.
The film was embraced by fans, partly due to the makers incorporating iconic moments from Ajith's filmography. The story revolved around a retired gangster and gained attention for the recreation of the iconic Sulthana song featuring Priya Prakash Varrier and Arjun Das.
Thug Life
Mani Ratnam's Thug Life generated significant pre-release buzz, reuniting him with Kamal Haasan after 38 years since Nayakan.
However, the film failed to match expectations or outdo Good Bad Ugly, collecting only Rs 97.44 crore worldwide.
The cast included Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Abhirami, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Ali Fazal, Sanjana Krishnamoorthy, and Tanikella Bharani. A major setback came after Kamal Haasan's controversial comments about the Kannada language led to a ban in Karnataka.
The actor did not apologise, and the film consequently lost revenue in Kannada-speaking regions.
Kuberaa
Sekhar Kammula's Kuberaa, starring Dhanush, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nagarjuna Akkineni, grossed Rs 133 crore worldwide. The multi-starrer received favourable reviews from both fans and critics. However, it earned only Rs 87.22 crore domestically, falling short of the Rs 100 crore mark in India. The film was praised for its realistic yet commercial storytelling.
Rashmika received acclaim for taking on a different and nuanced role compared to her previous performances.
Tourist Family
Tourist Family, the debut directorial venture of Abishan Jeevinth, starred M. Sasikumar, Simran, Mithun Jai Sankar, and Kamalesh Jagan in lead roles, with Yogi Babu, Ramesh Thilak, M. S. Bhaskar, Elango Kumaravel, Sreeja Ravi, and Bagavathi Perumal in supporting roles.
The film received rave reviews from fans and social media users.
Filmmakers like S. S. Rajamouli publicly praised it, and the movie gained further traction following its OTT release. With its emotionally rich narrative centred on a Sri Lankan Tamil family fleeing the economic crisis and arriving in India in search of a better life, Tourist Family earned Rs 87.23 crore globally.
Veera Dheera Sooran
: Part 2
Directed by S. U. Arun Kumar, Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 2 featured Vikram in the titular role, along with S.
J. Suryah, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Dushara Vijayan, and Prudhvi Raj. The film received positive reviews and grossed around Rs 65.36 crore at the box office.
Madha Gaja Raja
Thug Life - Official Hindi Trailer
Sundar C's Madha Gaja Raja, starring Vishal in the lead role, along with Santhanam, Anjali, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Sonu Sood, Manivannan, Subbaraju, Nithin Sathya, Sadagoppan Ramesh, Munna Simon, and John Kokken, grossed Rs 63 crore worldwide.
Maaman
The family drama Maaman, directed by Prasanth Pandiyaraj, featured Soori in the lead, alongside Rajkiran, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Swasika, Bala Saravanan, Baba Bhaskar, Viji Chandrasekhar, Nikhila Sankar, and Geetha Kailasam. The film was lauded for its realistic storytelling and earned approximately Rs 35 crore at the box office.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
33 minutes ago
- India Today
Anirudh Ravichander's Chennai concert postponed over overwhelming ticket demand
Anirudh postponed his Chennai concert. (Photo: Instagram/anirudhofficial) India Today Entertainment Desk Anirudh Ravichander postpones Chennai concert due to high ticket demand Show was set for July 26 at Thiruvidanthai venue Fans expressed disappointed but were assured of refunds within 7-10 days Tamil singer-composer Anirudh Ravichander has postponed his forthcoming concert in Chennai due to an overwhelming demand for tickets. The 34-year-old artist had been preparing for a performance at Thiruvidanthai on July 26. In a post on Instagram, Anirudh announced the postponement of the show. "Dear Hukum Family, Due to the incredible love and overwhelming demand, the Hukum Chennai concert scheduled for July 26 at Thiruvidanthai is being postponed (sic)," he captioned the post. (Credit: Instagram/anirudhofficial) He went on to say that the organisers are working towards securing a larger venue to allow for smoother entry and increased capacity. "Thank you so much for your love and patience. We'll be back soon – bigger, better, and louder! (sic)," he concluded. Fans have voiced their disappointment over the short notice. Anirudh reassured attendees that all ticket holders will receive a refund to their original payment method within 7–10 working days. The 'Hukum' singer's Chennai stop made history, with the 'HukumTour Grand Finale' selling out in under 45 minutes. This marked a performance on his home turf. His previous stop before Chennai took place on June 1 at Bengaluru's Terraform Arena. Anirudh had earlier postponed his Bengaluru stadium concert, originally set for April 24, due to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Tamil singer-composer Anirudh Ravichander has postponed his forthcoming concert in Chennai due to an overwhelming demand for tickets. The 34-year-old artist had been preparing for a performance at Thiruvidanthai on July 26. In a post on Instagram, Anirudh announced the postponement of the show. "Dear Hukum Family, Due to the incredible love and overwhelming demand, the Hukum Chennai concert scheduled for July 26 at Thiruvidanthai is being postponed (sic)," he captioned the post. (Credit: Instagram/anirudhofficial) He went on to say that the organisers are working towards securing a larger venue to allow for smoother entry and increased capacity. "Thank you so much for your love and patience. We'll be back soon – bigger, better, and louder! (sic)," he concluded. Fans have voiced their disappointment over the short notice. Anirudh reassured attendees that all ticket holders will receive a refund to their original payment method within 7–10 working days. The 'Hukum' singer's Chennai stop made history, with the 'HukumTour Grand Finale' selling out in under 45 minutes. This marked a performance on his home turf. His previous stop before Chennai took place on June 1 at Bengaluru's Terraform Arena. Anirudh had earlier postponed his Bengaluru stadium concert, originally set for April 24, due to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Join our WhatsApp Channel
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Saath ghoomna theek hai, par match nahi?': Ex-Pakistan pacer after India vs Pakistan called off in WCL
Shahid Afridi and Yuvraj Singh NEW DELHI: "Public ke saamne yeh dikhate ho ki hum nahi khelenge, aur saath mein ghumoge and shopping karoge, yeh unfair hai [You show the public that you won't play each other, but behind the scenes you travel together and go shopping — that's unfair]," former Pakistan pacer Abdur Rauf Khan said scathingly after the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions clash was cancelled in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) in Birmingham on Sunday. The match was scrapped after social media furore and eventually players pulling out for the contest. Those on social media questioned the hypocrisy of the players for changing tune less than two months after cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Rauf didn't hold back in his criticism of Indian players like Yuvraj Singh , Harbhajan Singh , Shikhar Dhawan , questioning their public stance versus their off-field camaraderie. India camp hit by more injuries, Playing XI TENSION before Manchester Test vs England 'They hang around together, eat together, party together — then when it comes to playing a match, why do they portray a different picture in front of the public?' Rauf asked. "It's not just Pakistani players — even Indian players feel it. We've played together, shared dressing rooms, eaten together, gone shopping on tours, stayed in each other's hotel rooms — we're friends off the field. To then portray such a hard divide to the public — like 'we won't play them' — that creates unnecessary hype," Rauf said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo "Behind the scenes, the reality is very different. The fans, who come with so much excitement and emotion, are left disappointed. It's not a good look for cricket. We owe better to the game and its fans," he added. India-Pakistan sporting relations had hit a roadblock due to the fallout from the April attack in Pahalgam. Shikhar Dhawan was the first to make his stance public. He posted a screenshot on X stating: "This is to formally reiterate that Mr Shikhar Dhawan will not be participating in any matches against the Pakistan team in the upcoming WCL League... In view of our current geopolitical situation and prevailing tensions between India and Pakistan, Mr Dhawan and his team have taken this position after due consideration..." Rauf, who represented Pakistan in 3 Tests, 4 ODIs and 1 T20I, appealed for politics to be kept out of cricket. "My consistent view has been — keep politics and cricket separate. A year or two of tension may halt cricket, but once relations normalize, matches resume anyway. So why stop in the first place?... So yes, both governments should sit down and sign an agreement that cricket and sports will continue regardless of external conditions. Political tensions may come and go, but sports should not suffer," he said. "You can't permanently shut this down. Tensions might last for a year or two, but ultimately the countries reconnect. So why halt sports in the first place?... That's why I believe there should be a clear framework or agreement ensuring continuity. Political issues will persist due to geographical realities — but let sports breathe. Let it flourish," he added. "The issues between India and Pakistan have been long-standing. Sometimes they escalate, sometimes relations improve. When relations are good, cricket resumes. When tensions rise, everything is shut down. Unfortunately, the fans are the ones who suffer the most... I believe there should be a formal agreement that regardless of political tensions, ICC-sanctioned events or bilateral tournaments should continue uninterrupted," Rauf concluded. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
NYT Connections hints and answers for today (July 20, 2025)
NYT Connections hints and answers for today (July 20, 2025) NYT Connections is back with another thrilling word puzzle. If you're diving into today's New York Times Connections puzzle and find yourself stumped, you're not alone. This clever word game, updated daily, challenges players to sort 16 words into four related groups. Some connections are obvious, while others rely on wordplay, obscure references, or clever phrasing. Today's puzzle, like many before it, mixes straightforward groupings with tricky ones that might require a second glance. Whether you're playing to maintain a long streak or just want to warm up your brain, we've gathered all the hints, group themes, and full answers you need to solve the July 20 edition. What is NYT Connections Connections is a daily word game by The New York Times that tests your ability to find hidden relationships among words. The goal is to identify four groups of four words that share a common link. These links can be thematic, structural, or even more subtle, like phrases or cultural references. How to play NYT Connections by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Redefine Your Future with a Top Online MBA JAIN Online Learn More Undo You're presented with a grid of 16 words and your task is to sort them into four groups of four related words. These groups vary in difficulty, with one usually being quite easy and another relying on wordplay or obscure connections. You can shuffle the grid to help you spot connections, and you have four chances to get it right before the game ends. If you're close to a correct grouping, the game might tell you that you're one word away. Playing on the New York Times website or app, you can also share your results and track your streak over time. Today's NYT Connections hints Here are some subtle hints to guide your thinking: Yellow – Move your body in time with the music Green – What you do to a cigarette when using it Blue – Different ways to mix or serve a drink Purple – A word whose back half is an exact repeat of itself One word from the each group Here's one example from each category to help nudge your thinking: Yellow – Dance Green – Smoke Blue – Mixing Purple – Reduplication Today's NYT Connections answers Yellow group – BOP, BOUNCE, GROOVE, SWAY Green group – DRAG, DRAW, PUFF, PULL Blue group – DRY, GIN, SHAKEN, TWIST Purple group – BUZZ, CROSS, LOAN, PASS That wraps up today's puzzle. Whether you solved it solo or needed a boost, check back tomorrow for new clues and answers to keep your Connections streak going strong. Also read | Wordle today #1492: Get hints and answer to today's puzzle July 20, 2025 AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
