Director Vetrimaaran’s period action drama Viduthalai Part 2 hit theatres on Friday, December 20, delivering an impressive start at the box office. The film, starring Vijay Sethupathi, Soori, and Manju Warrier, collected an estimated ₹7 crore nett in India on its opening day across Tamil and Telugu languages, according to Sacnilk. With its gripping storyline and stellar performances, the movie is anticipated to see a surge in collections over the weekend.
Day 1 Box Office Performance
The film recorded an overall 38.5% occupancy in Tamil and 19.79% in Telugu on its release day. The collections have set the stage for a promising weekend, as audiences flock to cinemas to watch this highly-anticipated sequel.
Star-Studded Cast and Production
Produced by RS Infotainment and Grass Root Film Company, Viduthalai Part 2 continues the story from where the first installment, released in March 2023, left off. Besides the lead trio—Vijay Sethupathi, Soori, and Manju Warrier—the film features an ensemble cast including Kishore, Bose Venkat, Rajiv Menon, Ken Karunas, Gautham Menon, and Chetan.
OTT Release Details
Fans who miss the theatrical release won’t have to wait long, as Viduthalai Part 2 is set for its digital premiere on ZEE5 in January 2025. The first part is already available on the same platform for streaming.
The Budget and Challenges Behind the Scenes
In an earlier interview, Vetrimaaran shared insights into the film’s production journey, which was fraught with challenges. Initially planned with a modest budget of ₹4.5 crore and a 35-day shooting schedule, the film’s budget escalated to ₹65 crore.
One of the most daunting hurdles was filming on a remote hilltop with no vehicle access. The team manually transported equipment, constructed temporary living arrangements for 250 crew members, and set up basic amenities for villagers. A severe storm dismantled their setup, forcing the crew to rethink their approach. Reflecting on the ordeal, Vetrimaaran stated, “We had exhausted 70% of the budget but had completed only 10% of the film. It was a humbling and challenging experience.”
Viduthalai Part 1: A Recap
The first installment of Viduthalai grossed ₹3.5 crore on its opening day in March 2023 and achieved a lifetime box office collection of ₹60 crore. Its success laid the foundation for the sequel, which continues to explore the socio-political themes that resonated with audiences.