The Malayalam action-comedy Athiradi, starring Basil Joseph in the lead role, opened to an excellent response at the box office. The film collected an impressive Rs. 6 crore gross on its opening day, including paid preview shows. Out of the total, the movie earned around Rs. 60 lakh from Wednesday previews and added another Rs. 5.40 crore on Day 1.
Directed by Arun Anirudhan, the entertainer is expected to maintain strong momentum over the coming days and post a solid opening weekend. Positive word of mouth from audiences has further boosted the film’s prospects at the box office.
Co-starring Tovino Thomas, the movie now appears well-positioned to emerge as a clean commercial success if it sustains its current trend.
Box Office Collections of Athiradi in Kerala
| Day | Collection |
|---|---|
| Previews | Rs. 0.60 crore |
| Day 1 | Rs. 5.40 crore |
| Total | Rs. 6.00 crore |
Athiradi revolves around Samkutty, a lively and passionate college student who falls for one of his classmates. As he becomes increasingly popular on campus, he decides to bring back a college festival that had been banned for years.
The festival was originally prohibited because of an incident involving Sreekuttan Vellayani, a feared local troublemaker who also dreams of becoming a singer. Once plans for the festival revival begin spreading, tensions rise between Samkutty and Sreekuttan, eventually leading to a heated rivalry and explosive confrontations. The film explores both their conflict and the mystery behind the festival’s controversial past.