When Ghilli — Thalapathy Vijay’s beloved 2004 sports action drama co-starring Trisha Krishnan — hit screens again alongside Ajith Kumar’s Thunivu, fans expected a fun rivalry at the box office. What they got instead was a complete statement of dominance. After Week 1, the numbers tell a story that’s hard to argue with.
Ghilli vs Thunivu: Week 1 Re-Release Box Office Head-to-Head
| Film | Star | Opening Day | Opening Weekend | Weekdays (Mon–Thu) | Week 1 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ghilli | Thalapathy Vijay | ₹55 lakh | ₹1.95 crore | ₹1 crore | ₹2.95 crore |
| Thunivu | Ajith Kumar | ₹18 lakh | ₹42 lakh | ₹10 lakh | ₹52 lakh |
Ghilli outperformed Thunivu by a staggering ₹2.43 crore in a single week. That’s nearly 6x the collections of its rival — a gap that very few re-release matchups have ever seen in Tamil cinema.
What’s Driving Ghilli’s Strong Run?
A major factor is reach. Ghilli was released across multiple states — Tamil Nadu and beyond — while Thunivu was confined primarily to its home turf. That wider footprint naturally amplified the numbers, but even adjusting for that, audience enthusiasm for Ghilli’s re-release is clearly much higher.
It’s worth remembering that Ghilli was originally one of Tamil cinema’s biggest blockbusters when it released in 2004. The film’s action sequences, Vijay’s energy, and its iconic soundtrack have kept it deeply embedded in fan culture for over two decades. Re-releasing it now — especially during a period when Vijay’s personal life has dominated headlines — has only added to the buzz.
Also read: Thalapathy Vijay’s All-Time Box Office Blockbusters Ranked
What’s Next for Both Films?
Ghilli is expected to sustain decent footfall in Week 2, targeting a final re-release total of around ₹4–4.50 crore gross. Thunivu, meanwhile, appears to have run out of momentum and is projected to wrap its re-release around the ₹60 lakh mark — a disappointing outcome even by modest re-release standards.
It’s not a reflection of Thunivu being a bad film — it had a strong original run. But in this head-to-head, Ghilli’s nostalgia factor and multi-market release gave it an insurmountable edge from Day 1.
Also read: Ajith Kumar’s Best Tamil Films of All Time — TechnoSports Ranked List
