Thudakkam Beats Lokah to Record Biggest Worldwide Opening for a Female-led Malayalam Film

Vismaya Mohanlal has begun her big-screen journey on a strong commercial note. Jude Anthany Joseph's Thudakkam has reportedly registered the highest opening-day worldwide gross for a female-led Malayalam film, edging past Kalyani Priyadarshan's Lokah: Chapter 1 - Chandra.

According to figures from box office tracker Sacnilk, Thudakkam earned an estimated Rs 2.55 crore net in India on its opening day, with the film playing across 1,102 shows. Its India gross was estimated at Rs 2.96 crore, while the film added another Rs 3.90 crore from overseas markets. This puts its estimated worldwide opening at Rs 6.86 crore.

The figure gives Thudakkam a narrow lead over Lokah: Chapter 1 - Chandra, which opened with a worldwide gross of Rs 6.63 crore. The Kalyani Priyadarshan-led superhero film had a stronger showing in India, collecting an estimated Rs 2.70 crore net and Rs 3.13 crore gross from 1,360 shows on its first day. Its overseas haul stood at Rs 3.50 crore.

The difference between the two films ultimately came from their overseas performance. While Lokah registered the better India numbers on Day 1, Thudakkam's international gross was higher by around Rs 40 lakh, allowing the Jude Anthany Joseph directorial to claim the record.

Vismaya's debut draws strong interest

The opening is significant given the attention surrounding Vismaya's transition into acting. The daughter of Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, Vismaya takes centre stage in Thudakkam, which places her character in a dangerous situation where survival depends on her ability to respond to increasingly difficult circumstances.

Directed by Jude Anthany Joseph, the film blends elements of family drama and thriller as it follows a young woman pushed into a fight-or-flight situation. The narrative centres on themes of courage, resilience and hope, with the protagonist forced to make choices that have consequences for her and those around her.

The film's commercial prospects had also been closely watched ahead of release, given the combination of Vismaya's debut, Mohanlal's presence in the cast and Jude's profile following the success of 2018.

Thudakkam also marks the acting debut of Aashish Joe Antony, son of producer Antony Perumbavoor, who has a prominent role in the film. The cast additionally features Mohanlal, Sai Kumar, Bobby Kurian, Manoj K Jayan, Ganesh Kumar, Aswin, Essa, Kottayam Ramesh, Jaya Kurup and Jaffar Idukki.

Thudakkam gains momentum after opening day

The film's early trajectory has shown signs of growth beyond its opening-day performance. According to subsequent box office estimates, Thudakkam recorded a sizeable increase on its second day, taking its India net total to Rs 6.05 crore and its overseas collection to Rs 8.40 crore.

By its third day, the film reportedly collected Rs 4.25 crore in India, taking its India net beyond the Rs 10 crore mark, while its overseas gross reached Rs 11.40 crore.

The early numbers suggest that the film has managed to convert the curiosity surrounding Vismaya's debut into audience footfalls, particularly in overseas markets. It also gives Thudakkam an early distinction in Malayalam cinema, with its opening now standing ahead of Lokah among female-led films.

For Vismaya, the response marks an encouraging beginning to what could be an interesting new chapter in her career. With Thudakkam now gaining momentum through its opening weekend, the film's ability to sustain that interest in the coming days will determine how significant the debut ultimately becomes at the box office.



Also Read: Thudakkam Review: Vismaya Mohanlal Makes A Confident Debut In A Familiar Survival Thriller