Trade analyst Sreedhar Pillai told Pinkvilla that both films might churn out an opening weekend of Rs 150 crore in Tamil Nadu. He added that the films could have avoided the clash if the makers or the stars would have had a healthy chat about it. "I personally think, if both the producers would have sat over the table or both the actors could have called each other to avoid the clash, that could have been much better for the industry. But in this case, the competition is big and the Southern stars have big egos about who is number one. Even in Bollywood, I don't see such clashes because there, distributors sit together and discuss but here, star power is overpowering stakeholders, distributors, cinema owners and so, they really don't have a say. A healthy two-week gap would have been advisable," he said.
In Telugu states, Varisu's release has been postponed by three days to avoid a clash with Thunivu. Vaarasudu, the film's Telugu version, will hit the screens of January 14. In Telugu states, Ajith's film is not facing any competition against Vijay but they will have to face Chiranjeevi's Waltair Veerayya and Balakrishna's Veera Simha Reddy.
Veera Simha Reddy is releasing on January 12 and Waltair Veerayya is releasing on January 13, which means that Thunivu will get a headstart in this sector.
On day one of release, the film garnered approximately 67% occupancy, which increased during the day. Morning shows saw 55.6% occupancy, afternoon shows saw 68.6% occupancy; in the evening, the occupancy increased to 72.4%, and night shows witnessed 71.2% occupancy.
Early estimates suggest that Varisu grossed Rs 26.5 crore on day one of release, across India. Thunivu grossed Rs 26 crore.
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According to industry data tracker Sacnilk, the film made Rs 17 crore in Tamil Nadu, Rs 5 crore in Karnataka, Rs 3.5 crore in Kerala and merely Rs 1 crore from other territories.
Varisu is a mix-mash of many films including Srimanthudu, Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, Atharintiki Daaredi, and every other iteration of that one story about the succession of the reluctant son, who turns out to be the only hope to save the empire/family. READ MORE.
Director Cibi Chakaravarthi tweeted, 'So happy to see Vintage @actorvijay sir on screen .. Truly thee Thalapathy ??Congratulations to entire #TeamVarisu for the Blockbuster @directorvamshi.'
Varisu director Vamshi Paidipally wrote with the photo, "Thank You for all the overwhelming Love for #Varisu... Thank You Nanbas and Nanbis.. ?? Thank You Thalapathy @actorvijay Sir for all Your Trust.. ?."
Film producer Dhananjayan posted on Twitter, "My best wishes to #Varisu & #Thunivu Teams. Expecting both the films to set the box office on fire during these Pongal holidays & make everyone happy (audience, theatres, distributors & producers."
Varisu director Vamshi Paidipally and producer Dil Raju met Vijay on Wednesday.
Actor Mahendran, who was seen in Vijay's Master, shared on Twitter, "Darling @actorvijay na ungha energy, Screen Presence and performance ellamae top class loved it ? Specially Neenghalum and #Jayasudha madam combo paakumboodhu Shoba Amma va paathamari irrundhuchu @MusicThaman bro killed it ? #Varisu perfect casting and congrats team ???."
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar took to Twitter and wrote, "Wishiinnnnnggggg our favorite #Thalapathy @Vijay saaarrrr @realsarathkumar daddy @directorvamshi sir #DilRaju sir and the whole team of #Varisu all the veryyyyyy bestttt...just can't wait to watch it. Loveeee you #Thalapathy muahhhhhhh....#fangirl foreverrrrrr."
Indianexpress.com's Manoj Kumar R tweeted, "#Varisu has so much entertainment to offer. #Vijay delivers an enjoyable performance! I liked the self-aware nature of the movie. Its memorable references to popular TV shows/movies are another highlight. @Lyricist_Vivek has made a strong contribution to keeping the movie light, breezy and funny. Watch out for the boardroom scene, it's an unmistakable riff on the scene from #AlaVaikunthapurramuloo. In that movie #AlluArjun paid homage to stars in his family. In #Varisu, #Vijay pays an ode to #Vijay."
He further tweeted, "@realsarathkumar has done a solid job. He really sells his act. One minute an aragonite man who thinks he has everything under control, the next is a defeated man, who realizes he has messed up."
@BrownSand_off tweeted, "#Varisu – 2.8 / 5 Positives #ThalapathyVijay; Negatives -Slow Narration -Not able to connect emotionally -Predictable scenes -100’s of time used story -No innovation in screenplay -Lengthy Scenes -Many studio green mat scenes."
Kushboo Sundar was said to be playing a role in Vijay-starrer Varisu. While the actor had also expressed his gratitude for the actor at the film's audio launch, many are shocked that she was not seen in the film.
As per reports, both films are getting 80-90% occupancy in early shows. But the clash also means a share of the market, so the collections of both films might not be huge. It is a long extended weekend and holiday period so these Pongal releases can take advantage of that but it will depend on how Thunivu and Varisu are received.
Ajith and Vijay's movie shows will have the Tamil version of Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham's Pathaan trailer.
A fan @Theri__sandy tweeted, "A Pakka Family entertainment Commercial Movie in Kollywood - #Varisu ?Don't underestimate the Power of Family audience for Vijay Movies ?? #BlockBusterVarisu #VarisuPongal".
A fan @z3r0_m4n shared via Twitter, "#Varisu A complete family entertainer as it promised and promoted. Definitely a crowd puller. If #Thunivu delivers all the promised elements for an Action Thriller genre film, then it should definitely win this Pongal battle. If not you can decide who owns the k-town’s collection."
Trisha was spotted at Vijay-starrer Varisu's FDFS.
Team Varisu were seen very emotional after the first day first show of the film.
Both Ajith Kumar and Vijay's fans were seen bursting firecrackers, dancing and celebrating outside a movie theatre as they gathered to watch the films Thunivu and Varisu.
A Vijay fan page shared a video and wrote, "This is not Tamilnadu !! This is France ?? #Varisu ? Record Opening in France ???."
Sridevi Sreedhar gave the film four stars out of five and wrote in her Varisu review, "After a breezy, entertaining first half it is Dharmayudham in the second half as #Thalapathy says! A Perfect Pongal treat for families who are sure to enjoy it. Go for it! #Vijay fans, this one is designed for u and ur family! #VarisuPongal #VarisuReview."
Ajith Kumar starrer Thunivu and Vijay starrer Varisu have released on the same day, and fans are not happy with this clash. Some Ajith Kumar fans tore posters of Vijay starrer Varisu outside a movie theatre in Chennai.
Indianexpress.com's Kirubhakar wrote in his review, "Vamshi Paidipally takes all the age-old tropes of a commercial family entertainer and make them work… well to a large extent." Read More.
Speaking to Galatta Plus’ Baradwaj Rangan, Varisu director Vamshi Paidipally said, "They want wholesome entertainment, not one kind of perspective, keeping them engrossed through dance, comedy, emotion or through character elevations. Entertainment means to keep them engaged---the way the want to watch Thalapathy Vijay sir." Read More.
Vijay-starrer Varisu is bankrolled by Dil Raju.
Fans unveil huge cut outs of Vijay on the eve of Varisu's release.
Fans in Kerala are excited to watch Vijay starrer Varisu.
The makers of Varisu will host a speical screening on Tuesday in Chennai.
Varisu boasts of songs crooned by Vijay, MM Manasi, Silambarasan, KS Chithra, Anirudh,Jonita Gandhi, Shankar Mahadevan, Karthik, Thaman S, Deepak Blue and Arvindh Srinivasan.
Varisu music director Thaman S tweeted, "Anna @actorvijay Anna ??. I cried From the Heart Watching all the Emotional Scenes dear anna ?? Tears Are Precious. #Varisu Movie Is My family Anna It’s Close To My heart ?? Thanks For Giving me This biggest Opportunity dear Anna Love U ????. #BlockbusterVarisu FROM TOM ?."
In an interview Vijay’s Varisu co-star Khushbu Sundar said, “While shooting for the climax of Varisu, Vijay was suffering from high fever. He took rest in a garage nearby and completed the shoot. Only after finishing the entire sequence, he got admitted in the hospital.”
Tiruppur Subramanian, TN Theatre and Multiplex Owners Association President, says, “There are about 1100 to 1200 screens in Tamil Nadu, and they will be shared equally between Thunivu and Varisu. There will be no unequal distribution in the number of screens.” Read More.
The Tamil Nadu government has cancelled the 4 am and 5 am shows of Vijay's Varisu from January 13 to January 16. Fans of the actor will not be allowed to anoint milk on the banners of the film placed outside the theaters.
Shah Rukh Khan thanks Vijay for his best wishes for Pathaa. 'Thank you my friend @actorvijay. You are Thalapathy for this humble reason, let's meet for delicious feast soon. Mikka Nandri Nanba! Idhanala Dhaan Neenga Thalapathy koodiya viraivil oru arumaiyana virunthil santhipom. Love you,' he wrote.
Before the release of Varisu, Vijay send his best wishes to Shah Rukh Khan for Pathaan. He tweeted, "Wishing @iamsrk sir and the team all the best for #Pathaan"
Varisu releases in Hindi on January 13. "VIJAY - ‘VARISU’ *HINDI* RELEASE: COUNTDOWN BEGINS… Tremendous craze and massive advance bookings for #Varisu in #SouthIndia… Watch #Vijay in #Varisu in 3 days [13 Jan 2023] in #Hindi in *cinemas* near you," tweeted Taran Adarsh.
Sreedhar Pillar shared that the total runtime of Varisu is 2 Hours 50 Minutes.
A tweet from Karnataka Talkies, which tracks ticket sales in Karnataka, claims that the film has sold over 81,000 tickets in the state. "#Varisu has sold 81,500+ Tickets in Karnataka worth close to ?2 Crores," read teh tweet.
Trade analyst Sreedhar Pillai shared on Twitter that Varisu will release in in 400+ screens in Kerala. The state has a total of 643 screens.
Vijay starrer Varisu is set to release on January 11. The film will release in Telugu states on January 14.