Pongal delight: Ajith becomes first actor to beat Rajinikanth in Tamil Nadu in 27 years, both ‘Petta’, ‘Viswasam’ gross above Rs 100 crore

The new year has started in a grand manner for Tamil cinema. Both releases on January 10, days before Pongal, Rajinikanth’s ‘Petta’ and Ajith’s ‘Viswasam’ have done well at the box office and grossed more than Rs 100 crore across the world. 

Like fans of the lead actors clashing on social media and even physically on the release date, the movies have been going neck-to-neck at the worldwide box office. 

READ: 'A Visual Treat For Ajith Fans', 'sure Shot Winner', Netizens Praise Ajith Starrer 'Viswasam' To High Heavens As It Releases In Time For Pongal

According to reports, the Rajinikanth-starrer has grossed close to Rs 140 crore in its six-day run at the box office. On the other hand, Ajith’s film also touched the three-figure mark recently and currently stands close to Rs 120 crore. 

But the surprising bit has been the collections at the Tamil Nadu box office. According to reports, Ajith has become the first actor to beat Thalaiva in the state after 27 years in terms of collections for movies releasing on the same day, previous instance being Kamal Haasan’s ‘Thevar Magan’ in 1992. 

‘Viswasam’ has grossed around Rs 80 crore while ‘Petta’s collections stand at approximately Rs 70 crore in TN. 

READ: Watch: Thala Ajith's Fan Frenzy On Viswasam Opening Day Leads To Horrible Mishap, Details Inside

However, ‘Petta’ has done better in Telugu-speaking states, Kerala and Karnataka, rest of the country and even overseas, because of which its overall collections are higher.

'Petta' has been directed by Kartik Subbaraj and also stars Trisha Krishnan, Simran Bagga, Vijay Sethupathi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, among others. 'Viswasam' features Nayathara opposite Ajith and has been directed by Siva. Previously, another South-based movie, Yash's 'Kolar Gold Fields: Chapter 1', also did record-breaking business at the box office, grossing over Rs 200 crore and 'Petta' and 'Viswasam' seem set to replicate the figures.