Vijay-starrer "Leo" has experienced a rollercoaster ride at the Indian box office as it enters its second week since its release. The film, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, features an ensemble cast that includes Vijay, Trisha, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Sarja. After a promising opening, the movie has seen a decline in its box office earnings in recent days, in part due to negative reviews and word of mouth.
As of day 9, "Leo" reportedly earned ₹7 crore at the box office, according to early estimates from Sacnilk.com. This brings its total domestic collection to ₹271.25 crore, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year.
The film had an impressive start, collecting ₹64.8 crore in India on its opening day. However, it wasn't able to sustain that momentum. Negative reviews and feedback led to a significant drop in earnings in the days that followed. "Leo" did show some improvement on its first Sunday, with a collection of ₹39.8 crore, but the trend soon reversed. On Dussehra, it collected ₹30.7 crore, but from Wednesday onward, it saw a consistent decline. On its ninth day, the film managed to earn only ₹7 crore, significantly lower than its opening day.
During its first week, "Leo" amassed ₹264.25 crore, but it is expected to have a reduced box office performance in its second week. Despite the downward trend, the film's impressive initial earnings have solidified its status as a commercial success.
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, "Leo" marks the reunion of Vijay and the filmmaker after their 2021 blockbuster collaboration, "Master." The film's star-studded cast and the anticipation surrounding it contributed to its successful opening, even though it couldn't maintain its momentum.
Notably, during the film's promotional events in Palakkad, Kerala, director Lokesh Kanagaraj suffered a minor injury due to the large crowds that had gathered to see him. He had to cancel subsequent fan events and a press meeting but expressed his gratitude to the fans for their support and promised to return for future interactions.
"Leo" may have experienced a decline in box office collections, but it still remains a significant release in the Indian film industry, and its success demonstrates the enduring popularity of its lead actor, Vijay.