By Rajveer Sekhawat 
The Greatest of All Time (The GOAT) has made a remarkable debut at the Indian box office, collecting approximately Rs. 53-54 crore on its first day. This impressive figure marks the third-highest opening day for a Thalapathy Vijay film, following Leo and Beast, and ranks fifth among Kollywood films.
Record-Breaking Opening in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, The GOAT achieved a significant milestone by grossing Rs. 30-32 crore on its opening day. This places it as the fourth-highest first-day collection for any film in the state, trailing behind Vijay’s own Beast, Leo, and Sarkar. Notably, Vijay’s films have consistently performed well, with The GOAT surpassing the Rs. 25 crore mark—an achievement unmatched by other stars in the current show timing norms. Vijay has crossed Rs. 30 crore twice, first with Leo and now with The GOAT, highlighting his exceptional popularity in Tamil Nadu.
Strong Performances in Karnataka and Kerala
The film also had a strong showing in Karnataka, recording the third-highest opening for a Tamil film with nearly Rs. 10 crore. Similarly, The GOAT earned Rs. 6.25 crore in Kerala, making it the third-biggest opening in the state. The Hindi dubbed version contributed Rs. 2.25 crore, reflecting a decent start in the Hindi-speaking market.
Disappointing Performance in Telugu States
Despite its success in other regions, The GOAT underperformed in the Telugu states, where it collected only Rs. 3 crore on its first day. This figure is significantly lower than the Rs. 8 crore earned by Beast. The film’s music and promotions did not resonate well with the Telugu audience, impacting its performance. Nevertheless, the Telugu states are considered a bonus market, with the core Tamil markets of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka delivering strong results.
First-Day Box Office Collections Breakdown
| Area | Gross |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | Rs. 31.00 cr. |
| Karnataka | Rs. 9.75 cr. |
| Kerala | Rs. 6.25 cr. |
| Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (APTS) | Rs. 3.00 cr. |
| Hindi Belt | Rs. 3.50 cr. |
| Total | Rs. 53.50 cr. |
The GOAT has set a high bar for its opening day collections, especially in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, reaffirming Thalapathy Vijay’s box office power.
SHIVAM SHARMA