Vijay's GOAT Poised for a Record-Breaking Rs 100 Crore Opening,
Vijay’s upcoming film GOAT is generating significant excitement, offering a much-needed boost to the struggling tamil film industry. Scheduled to begin screenings as early as 4 am in various states, the film will enjoy special showings in tamil Nadu, though it will not be released in Hindi. september 5 promises to be a grand celebration, comparable to diwali or New Year’s, as the film marks Vijay's second-to-last role before he shifts his focus to politics. The anticipation is sky-high, with the film expected to achieve a blockbuster opening and potentially set several new records.
Raahul from Romeo Pictures, the film's distributor in tamil Nadu, has confirmed that GOAT will be available in nearly every theater across the state. With a target of at least 1000 screens, it is set to be one of the widest tamil film releases in recent years. An industry analyst noted that the level of hype surrounding GOAT is reminiscent of the excitement for Kabali, and it is expected to rejuvenate theaters that have been underperforming since the release of Leo last year.
Internationally, GOAT is breaking new ground with its extensive reach. According to gulzar Begum of XGen Studio, the film will debut in over 500 theaters in the US, 200+ in the UK, and 350+ across Europe. It will also be released in 18 African countries, including zambia and Ghana, and is slated for major releases in the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. Additionally, it will have a notable presence in Russia, Ukraine, and several other Eastern european countries.
With such a broad release strategy, GOAT is anticipated to come close to the coveted Rs 100 crore mark on its opening day, providing a significant boost to tamil cinema, which has been underperforming this year. The film's success could pave the way for other major tamil releases, including Rajinikanth’s Vettaiyan, ajith Kumar’s Vidaa Muyarchi, and Suriya’s Kanguva.
In states like karnataka and kerala, where sree Gokulam Movies is handling distribution, GOAT is set for an unprecedented release. In kerala alone, the film will screen in over 700 theaters and have 4000 shows on the first day, showcasing Vijay's immense appeal among malayalam audiences.
However, there are some issues in tamil Nadu regarding the finalization of agreements between theater owners and distributors, particularly concerning revenue sharing. These issues are expected to be resolved before the film’s release on september 5.
The hindi version of the film, Thalapathy the GOAT, has data-faced challenges in securing distribution with major multiplex chains like PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis in North india due to disagreements over the gap between theatrical release and OTT premiere. Nevertheless, the tamil and telugu versions will be shown in theaters across the South.
With only one more film left in his career, all eyes are on GOAT's performance. Featuring a star-studded cast including Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan, and others, the film is getting a solo release with a two-week window free of major competition. Although it does not carry the “Lokesh Cinematic Universe” label that has driven recent box-office hits, Vijay’s stardom is expected to draw audiences regardless of the film's name. As AGS Entertainment’s archana Kalpathi noted, fans will flock to see a Vijay film. The real test of Vijay’s star power will come on september 5, and early indicators suggest that he may once again prove to be tamil cinema's most bankable star.