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Sivakarthikeyan celebrates Madharaasi’s success, discusses Tamil cinema’s Rs 1000 crore challenge, ticket pricing, OTT deals, and hopes for industry growth in North India.
Sivakarthikeyan talks about lack of Rs 1000 crore movie in Tamil cinema.
Sivakarthikeyan is currently celebrating the success of his latest release, Madharaasi, a psychological action-romantic thriller co-starring Rukmini Vasanth and Vidyut Jammwal. The film, which has drawn praise for its gripping story and layered performances, marks another milestone in the actor’s career. Sivakarthikeyan recently spoke to Cinema Express about a topic that has long intrigued fans and industry insiders alike: why Tamil cinema has yet to produce a Rs 1000 crore hit. He talked about the challenges, opportunities, and future prospects for the Tamil film industry in reaching this elusive box-office landmark.
On the challenge of Rs 1000 crore hits
Sivakarthikeyan said that chasing a specific box-office number should never be the sole focus while making a film. He said, “I said this before, but when we did Amaran, we did not think about the number it would eventually make. Apart from the quality of a film, there are other factors to consider, such as ticket pricing. I am not in favour of increasing the ticket prices, but if we charged like in Bengaluru or Mumbai, then Jailer would have easily crossed Rs 800 crores, if not Rs 1000 crores.”
He further pointed out that Tamil films need to reach North Indian audiences more effectively. However, Sivakarthikeyan noted a structural hurdle: many Tamil films sign four-week deals with OTT platforms, while multiplexes in cities like Mumbai prefer an eight-week window between theatrical release and digital premiere. This, he said, limits a film’s potential in Northern regions. He added that Amaran could have reached a much wider audience if not for such restrictions.
Optimism for the future
Looking ahead, Sivakarthikeyan expressed confidence that Tamil cinema will eventually achieve a Rs 1000 crore hit. “It is not so easy to be pulled off by a single person. But I believe Tamil cinema is getting there, and the elusive Rs 1000 crore accomplishment would be achieved in a couple of years,” he said.
About Madharaasi
Madharaasi is a Tamil-language psychological action-romantic thriller. The film follows Raghuram, an orphan who falls in love with Malathy. After she breaks up with him, Raghuram becomes distraught and contemplates ending his life. Meanwhile, NIA officer Premnath is searching for a civilian to lead a mission against a crime syndicate without risking his team.
Raghuram is recruited, but Malathy inadvertently gets caught in the syndicate’s plans. As events spiral, it is revealed that Raghuram suffers from a mental condition that blurs the line between heroism and insanity, adding layers of suspense to the story.
The film’s ensemble cast includes Monisha Vijay, Vikranth, Shabeer Kallarakkal, Prem Kumar, Sanjay, Sachana Namidass, and several others in key roles.
September 10, 2025, 10:25 IST
