The much-hyped film Madharaasi, starring Sivakarthikeyan (SK) and directed by A.R. Murugadoss (ARM), has officially been declared a flop, despite a strong promotional campaign and high expectations. Made on a budget of ₹130 crores, the film grossed only ₹100 crores worldwide, falling short of the ₹165 crore break-even mark, resulting in a 45% loss for distributors across territories.
Regional Performance Breakdown
Tamil Nadu: ₹60 crore loss
Karnataka: ₹6 crore mild loss
Kerala: ₹2 crore heavy loss
Andhra Pradesh/Telangana: ₹6 crore massive loss
Rest of India: ₹2 crore loss
Overseas: ₹24 crore (break-even)
Despite SK acquiring the Tamil Nadu theatrical rights for ₹60 crores and ARM opting for a profit-sharing model, the film failed to deliver commercially. The producer, however, managed a table profit of ₹35 crores by selling theatrical, satellite, digital, and audio rights at record prices.
Impact on Sivakarthikeyan’s Career
Madharaasi marks Sivakarthikeyan’s 7th flop, following Velaikaran, Seema Raja, Mr. Local, Hero, Prince, and Ayalaan. It is now his 4th biggest lossmaker, trailing behind Seema Raja, Mr. Local, and Hero. While Ayalaan, Velaikaran, and Prince incurred lesser losses, Madharaasi stands out due to its scale and expectations.
Interestingly, the film received some positive response in Tamil Nadu, which helped cushion the losses slightly compared to Seema Raja and Mr. Local. However, the overall reception and box office performance have cemented its status as a commercial failure.
As SK and ARM regroup for future projects, Madharaasi serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of big-budget cinema—even with star power and a celebrated director at the helm.