Exhibitors Say Jailer 2 Sets Kerala Record With ₹12.65 Crore Opening

Theatres across Keralam are planning additional shows after Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 recorded a first-day gross of about ₹12.65 crore, according to exhibitors.

The collection is being described as a record for a Tamil movie released in the State, giving exhibitors renewed confidence after a difficult period for the industry.

Record opening drives show additions

Suresh Shenoy, a member of the executive committee of the Film Exhibitors’ United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK), said Jailer 2 earned a Keralam gross of about ₹12.65 crore on its first day of release.

“This is a record for a Tamil movie released in the State in terms of the first-day collections,” Shenoy said.

The previous record for a Tamil movie was held by actor Vijay’s Leo, which earned a total gross of about ₹12 crore on its first day, according to Shenoy.

The strong opening was also supported by advance bookings that matched the film’s pre-release hype, he said.

The response has led theatres to consider adding shows to meet the positive demand among moviegoers.

The scale of the opening was reflected in the number of screenings held across Keralam.

K. Vijayakumar, former president of FEUOK, said several theatres had screened the movie for 18 continuous hours on the first day.

Exhibitors look to sustain momentum

Exhibitors are hopeful that the film’s collections will help them sail through October if it manages an extended run.

The extended holidays linked to the Navaratri celebrations are expected to provide another boost to collections, according to estimates by film-exhibitor associations.

Vijayakumar said the momentum was expected to remain high during the weekend and continue into the following week because of the Puja holidays till Wednesday.

The opening comes after a mixed period for the film industry since the start of 2026.

P.V. Basheer Ahamed, president of the Kerala Film Exhibitors’ Association, said the blockbuster Malayalam movie Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, released on August 21, 2026, had provided major relief to the industry.

He said the sector needed a sustained release of movies capable of drawing audiences to cinema halls.

His assessment comes as exhibitors face rising maintenance and operational expenses, making strong-performing releases important for sustaining theatre operations.

The response to Jailer 2 has therefore brought immediate relief and raised expectations of a longer period of audience footfall, though exhibitors’ hopes remain tied to the film’s continued momentum and extended run.

Source: The Hindu