The much-anticipated film The Greatest of All Time, colloquially known as GOAT, hit theatres on Thursday and has achieved a major milestone in Tamil cinema. The Vijay-starrer amassed a remarkable Rs 43 crore nett on its opening day, according to early estimates from industry tracker Sacnilk. This figure makes GOAT the biggest Tamil opener of the year, surpassing the opening day numbers of Indian 2, which recorded Rs 25.6 crore.
Chennai’s Stellar Performance
The film’s debut has been especially notable in Chennai, where it saw an unprecedented 99 percent occupancy. With 1,003 shows scheduled for the day, the massive turnout underscores the film’s overwhelming popularity in the region. This figure stands in stark contrast to the 60 percent occupancy in Bengaluru, which had 1,140 shows.
Comparing with Past Hits
Despite its impressive start, GOAT fell short of matching the opening day record of Vijay’s previous blockbuster, Leo. Released in 2023, Leo set a high bar by raking in Rs 63 crore nett on its first day. The current expectations suggest that GOAT might not surpass Leo’s record, although it is anticipated to show substantial growth over the weekend.
Domestic and Global Numbers
The initial domestic gross of GOAT stands at Rs 55 crore. Although early indications hinted at the possibility of the film surpassing Rs 100 crore worldwide on its opening day, the complete global figures are yet to be confirmed.
Special Screening Permits
In Tamil Nadu, GOAT benefited from an extended screening schedule, with shows starting as early as 9 am and continuing until 2 am the next day. However, this special arrangement was granted for only the release day, and the film will not enjoy the same privileges over the upcoming weekend.
Future Outlook
GOAT is anticipated to perform well over the weekend, but it remains to be seen if it can break past Leo’s record. This film is expected to be Vijay’s penultimate project before he potentially transitions into politics, following his next film, Thalapathy 69, directed by H Vinoth. In 2023, Vijay had two major releases—Leo and Varisu. While Leo was a massive hit, Varisu had a less favorable reception, clashing with Ajith’s Thunivu and earning Rs 26.5 crore on its opening day.
Cast and Crew
Directed by Venkat Prabhu, GOAT also stars Prashanth, Sneha, Mohan, and Prabhu Deva, adding to the film’s star-studded appeal. The impressive debut and high occupancy rates signal strong word-of-mouth and audience enthusiasm, setting the stage for a potentially successful run in theatres.