Mankatha Re Release Collection: Ajith Kumar’s iconic action thriller Mankatha has returned to cinemas — and how. Fifteen years after its original release, the Venkat Prabhu directorial has delivered a historic opening day at the box office, rewriting the rules for Tamil film re-releases in 2026.
The film’s re-release has turned an otherwise quiet post-Pongal period into a full-blown celebration, with theatres across Tamil Nadu witnessing packed shows, fan frenzy, and numbers that rival fresh releases.
Mankatha Re Release Collection – Day 1 (2026)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Film | Mankatha |
| Lead Actor | Ajith Kumar |
| Director | Venkat Prabhu |
| Original Release Year | 2011 |
| Re-Release Year | 2026 |
| Re-Release Date | January 24, 2026 |
| Day 1 Collection (Tamil Nadu) | ₹3.7 – ₹3.8 crore (gross) |
| Day 1 Collection (India) | Around ₹4.1 crore (gross) |
| Day 1 Advance Booking (TN) | ₹2.1 – ₹2.2 crore |
| Online Tickets Sold (Day 1) | 100,000+ (BookMyShow) |
| Morning Show Occupancy | ~50% (picked up strongly later) |
| Major Performing Circuits | Chennai, Chengalpattu, North & South Arcot |
| Strong Outstation Markets | Madurai, Trichy, Coimbatore |
| Outside TN Highlight | Bengaluru (₹13–14 lakh advance sales) |
| Record Achieved | Biggest Tamil re-release opening of 2026 |
| Previous Benchmark Beaten | Ghilli, Padayappa, Theri |
| Genre | Action Thriller / Heist |
| Ajith’s Role | Vinayak Mahadev |
| Budget (Original Release) | ₹24 crore |
| Trade Verdict | Blockbuster re-release opening |
Record-Breaking Advance Booking & Occupancy
Advance bookings played a massive role in Mankatha’s thunderous return.
- Advance booking (TN): ₹2.1–2.2 crore gross
- Online tickets sold (Day 1): 100,000+ on BookMyShow
Trade tracker handles on X reported that Mankatha clocked ₹2.16 crore in Tamil Nadu advance bookings, narrowly surpassing Ghilli’s long-standing record of ₹2.15 crore — officially making it the highest advance booking ever for a Tamil re-release.
Morning shows opened with around 50% occupancy in many centres, which surged dramatically by evening and night as fan shows, celebrations, and repeat audiences kicked in.
Theatres echoed with whistles, confetti, banners, and cut-outs — a clear sign that audiences treated this not as a rerun, but as a new Ajith release.
How Mankatha Compares With Other Tamil Re-Releases
Re-Release Opening Day Comparison (Trade Estimates)
| Film | Day 1 Re-Release Highlights |
|---|---|
| Mankatha (2026) | ₹3.7–3.8 cr TN, highest advance booking ever |
| Ghilli | ₹4+ cr worldwide on day 1, still tops lifetime re-release |
| Padayappa | ₹3.1+ cr TN on day 1 |
| Theri | Lower opening compared to the above |
While Ghilli continues to dominate overall re-release lifetime collections, Mankatha has clearly seized the crown for opening-day buzz and 2026 state-level records.
City-Wise & Circuit-Wise Performance
Within Tamil Nadu, the strongest response came from core Ajith fan belts, including:
- Chennai city
- Chengalpattu
- North & South Arcot circuits
Single screens in Madurai, Trichy, and Coimbatore reported celebratory shows with repeat audiences, while multiplexes registered impressive occupancies without discounts or premium pricing tactics.
Outside Tamil Nadu, Bengaluru (Tamil shows) emerged as a major contributor, with advance sales crossing ₹13–14 lakh, even outperforming Padayappa’s re-release numbers at a similar stage.
Why Mankatha Still Works — Even After 15 Years
Originally released in 2011 with a reported budget of ₹24 crore, Mankatha marked Ajith Kumar’s 50th film and remains a landmark in his career.
His portrayal of Vinayak Mahadev, a morally grey suspended cop drawn into a high-stakes betting scam, was a sharp departure from heroic stereotypes. Combined with Venkat Prabhu’s racy screenplay, twists, and Yuvan Shankar Raja’s pulsating background score, the film became a massive theatrical experience.
That magic clearly hasn’t faded.
Social media is flooded with viral clips from theatres, capturing fans reliving iconic moments, punch dialogues, and Ajith’s magnetic screen presence — proving the cult status is very much alive.
Trade Outlook: Can Mankatha Beat Ghilli’s Re-Release Lifetime?
Trade analysts believe that if the current momentum continues through the weekend and upcoming days, Mankatha could challenge — or even surpass — Ghilli’s re-release lifetime gross of ₹26.50 crore.
With limited competition, strong repeat value, and sustained fan interest, the Ajith starrer is well-positioned to script new history for Tamil cinema re-releases.
FAQs
1. What is the day 1 box office collection of Mankatha re-release?
Mankatha re-release earned an estimated ₹3.7–3.8 crore gross in Tamil Nadu on day 1, with all-India collections close to ₹4.1 crore, making it the biggest Tamil re-release opening of 2026 so far.
2. Did Mankatha break Ghilli’s re-release record?
Yes, in terms of advance booking and opening-day buzz in Tamil Nadu, Mankatha surpassed Ghilli. However, Ghilli still holds the record for overall lifetime re-release collections.
3. How much was Mankatha’s advance booking on day 1?
Day 1 advance bookings in Tamil Nadu were estimated at ₹2.1–2.2 crore gross, the highest ever for a Tamil film re-release, narrowly beating Ghilli’s previous record.
4. Why is Mankatha re-release performing so strongly in 2026?
The film’s cult status, Ajith Kumar’s massive fan base, nostalgia factor, and the iconic character Vinayak Mahadev have driven huge turnout, with fans celebrating the re-release like a new theatrical launch.
5. Can Mankatha beat Ghilli’s lifetime re-release collection?
Trade analysts believe Mankatha has the potential to challenge or surpass Ghilli’s ₹26.50 crore re-release lifetime gross if the strong momentum continues over the weekend and following weeks.
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