Doctor, the Tamil dark comedy film starring Sivakarthikeyan, that released in theatres on Saturday, has emerged as a box office winner, say theatre owners. The film collected around Rs 24 crore over three days in Tamil Nadu, a source in the know told Silverscreen India on condition of anonymity.
Doctor, Nelson Dilipkumar‘s second directorial after Kolamavu Kokila, is produced by Sivakarthikeyan under his home banner Sivakarthikeyan Productions, with KJR Studios serving as the co-producer and distributor. The film revolves around human trafficking and released on big screens in Tamil Nadu at 50% capacity .
In Chennai, the film collected approximately Rs 60 lakhs on its first day of release, followed by Rs 65 lakh on the second day and Rs 50 lakh on the third.
Several cinema halls in Tamil Nadu have added extra shows to screen Doctor. Rohini Silver Screens theatre in Chennai, that is currently screening the film on all six screens, has added two more shows for the film due to ‘huge demand’. Meanwhile, TPV Multiplex Cinema, on Monday, also added extra shows for Doctor.
Venkatesh, the owner of Woodlands Cinemas, Chennai, told Silverscreen India, “Doctor has been very well received. The performance of Master has been repeated this time. The family audience was back, with many children and women thronging theatres.”
Venkatesh said that over the weekend, shows were running at full permitted occupancy. “This proved that content can win back the moviegoers. We are back to normal,” he added.
Dilip Kumar of Malayandi Cinemas in Usilampatti, Madurai, who had previously told Silverscreen India that Tamil films Laabam and Thalaivii opened to poor reception, said that Doctor provided him with a much-needed respite.
“My theatre is running successfully with family audience coming to watch the film. About 2,000 people would have come since the release of the film, so far. A lot of people are coming for the matinee and evening shows, with people coming from nearby villages as well,” he said.
Dilip added that after Vijay starrer Master, and Dhanush starrer Karnan, the Sivakarthikeyan-starrer Doctor has managed to pull crowds back to theatres.
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Master, the first big Tamil film to release in theatres post the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic grossed close to Rs 113 crore within two weeks of its release. Thalaivii, that released post the second wave only managed to collect around Rs 4.75 crore over the first weekend while Laabam collected only Rs 4 crore over four days.
Meanwhile, Vijay Antony starrer Kodiyil Oruvan continues its theatrical run and enters its 25th day on over 50 screens, on Tuesday, according to the makers. Exhibitors have also pinned hopes on upcoming films such as Aranmanai 3 and Annaatthe, to help them bounce back.