Leo Movie 2023 Box Office: After a slow beginning on Friday, Lokesh Kanagaraj’s ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay-starrer, “Leo,” staged an impressive comeback on its third day in theaters, delivering exceptional numbers on Saturday. As per industry tracker Sacnilk, “Leo” garnered an estimated Rs 40 crore nett in the domestic market, indicating an 11.88% surge in box office earnings compared to Day 2’s figure of Rs 35.25 crore. This brings “Leo’s” total domestic earnings to Rs 140.05 crore. Impressively, in just three days, the film’s global gross has surpassed the Rs 200-crore mark.
While the Tamil market saw a dip in occupancy on Friday, Saturday saw a substantial improvement. The morning show witnessed an occupancy rate of 65.73%, which rose to 79.51% during evening screenings, compared to 63.03% and 70.67% respectively on the previous day.
“Leo’s” performance has been outstanding, surpassing the daily earnings of Nelson’s Rajinikanth-starrer, “Jailer,” during its theatrical run. Released on a Thursday (August 9), similar to “Leo,” “Jailer” had earned Rs 48.35 crore, Rs 25.75 crore, and Rs 34.3 crore, respectively, during its first three days. Meanwhile, its potential contender, Anil Ravipudi’s “Nandamuri Balakrishna-starrer Bhagavanth Kesari,” has so far managed to earn only Rs 25.5 crore worldwide, with an estimated Day-3 nett of Rs 8 crore.
“Leo”: A Closer Look at Thalapathy Vijay’s Box Office
Thalapathy Vijay, in collaboration with the renowned filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj, brings forth the action-packed drama, “Leo.” The film’s buzz has been escalating since its announcement, promising an uproar at the box office. Let’s delve into whether this highly anticipated film lives up to the hype.
Plot Overview: Parthiban (Thalapathy Vijay) runs a café in Theog, Himachal Pradesh, leading an ordinary life with his wife Satya (Trisha) and two children. When goons threaten his daughter and a worker at the café, Parthiban is forced to take drastic action, setting off a chain of events that entangles his family. Amidst the chaos, gangsters Antony Das (Sanjay Dutt) and Harold Das (Arjun) enter his life, convinced that Parthiban is their kin, Leo Das (Thalapathy Vijay). The film unfolds as the mystery behind Leo Das unravels, and the turmoil Parthiban faces is revealed.
Highlights: The film’s initial half is engaging, deliberately paced to immerse viewers in Parthiban’s world. Notably, the hyena scene and ensuing family drama provide a vivid entry into the narrative. The café fight scene, a pinnacle moment, exhibits Vijay’s vulnerability, showcasing his acting prowess alongside impeccable action sequences.
The interval segment effectively sets the stage for the second half, featuring stellar action sequences and commendable cinematography. Trisha delivers a commendable performance, while the film gains momentum in the pre-climax and climax portions, offering moments of excitement for fans.
Drawbacks: The second half holds significant weight, often determining a film’s overall impact. Unfortunately, “Leo” succumbs to the common affliction of a lackluster second hour. Surprisingly, the flashback sequences exhibit subpar writing, a departure from Lokesh Kanagaraj’s typically brilliant work.
Technical Aspects: Anirudh’s background score, though effective in parts, doesn’t reach the heights of his previous works. The songs, hindered by inadequate translation, fail to leave a lasting impression. Manoj Paramahamsa’s cinematography shines, particularly in action sequences. Editing falters in the latter half, while VFX quality varies, with some scenes appearing less polished.
Director’s Verdict: Lokesh Kanagaraj handles the first half adeptly, but stumbles in sustaining the momentum. While the storyline may be familiar, execution is key, and here, Kanagaraj falls short of expectations. Despite being part of the larger cinematic universe, “Leo” offers only moments of elation for franchise fans.
Final Thoughts: “Leo” primarily hinges on Thalapathy Vijay’s powerhouse performance. While the first half is engaging despite its deliberate pace, the film encounters turbulence in the second half. Weakly scripted flashback sequences and underdeveloped characters are notable shortcomings. Lokesh Kanagaraj’s trademark brilliance is somewhat elusive in “Leo,” leaving the film’s box office prospects in the hands of Vijay’s stardom and the allure of the larger cinematic universe.
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