Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan 2, the sequel to the blockbuster hit Ponniyin Selvan, has taken the Indian box office by storm. Though the opening day collections were around 25% lower than the previous sequel (PS 1), Ponniyin Selvan 2 still managed to collect an impressive Rs 28 crore in India on its first day.
Ponniyin Selvan 1 set new records in the Tamil film industry with lifetime collections of Rs 222 crore, surpassing the previous best, Kamal Haasan's Vikram. With such a successful prequel, the expectations for Ponniyin Selvan 2 were sky-high.
Despite the slightly lower opening day numbers, Ponniyin Selvan 2 is expected to do well over the weekend and emerge as one of the biggest money spinners in the state. The first film overperformed at the local box office due to its cultural and emotional connect with the audience, and the second part is expected to do the same.
The fact that both films were shot together on a controlled budget puts the producers in a profitable position. With healthy legs at the box office, Ponniyin Selvan 2 is expected to target a lifetime gross of Rs 150 crore in Tamil Nadu, which is an extraordinary number, ranking it in the top 5 of all-time alongside Ponniyin Selvan 1, Vikram, and Bahubali 2.
The film is set to be a big money spinner for the producers, and reports from the ground suggest that it may even surpass the first sequel (PS 1) in terms of pacing and overall quality. This bodes well for the star-cast and budget of the film, ensuring a successful outcome for all parties involved.
The territorial breakdown of the opening day collections indicate that Ponniyin Selvan 2 collected Rs 16 to 17 crore in Tamil Nadu, with the rest of India contributing in the range of Rs 10 to 11 crore. Kerala is headed towards an opening day gross of Rs 2.75 crore, Karnataka has scored an opening of Rs 3.25 crore, and AP-TG towards a gross of Rs 2.75 crore in sync with North India at Rs 2.50 crore.
The opening day numbers have set the platform for Ponniyin Selvan 2 to show big gains over the weekend and become a box office success story. The film has captured the hearts of the audience and has received positive reviews, ensuring that it will remain in the theaters for a long time. The cultural and emotional connection of the subject matter, combined with Mani Ratnam's masterful storytelling, make Ponniyin Selvan 2 a must-watch for all cinema lovers.