'GOAT' advance booking: Thalapathy Vijay's film set for record box office opening

Thalapathy Vijay's latest film, 'GOAT', is creating a massive buzz at the box office even before its official release. The excitement surrounding the film is palpable, with advance bookings already setting new records. With just three days left until its grand premiere on September 5, 'GOAT' is poised to make a historic opening at the box office.

**'GOAT' Generates Massive Advance Bookings**

Directed by the talented Venkat Prabhu, 'The Greatest of All Time' (GOAT) is a Tamil Pan-India film that has captured the attention of moviegoers across the country. The film's advance booking figures are nothing short of extraordinary. According to reports from the trade website Sacnilk, 'GOAT' has already sold approximately 3.68 lakh tickets for its opening day, grossing an impressive Rs 7.94 crore. When including blocked seats, this figure rises to Rs 10.52 crore, making it one of the highest pre-sales businesses for a Tamil film in 2024.

**A Record-Breaking Start for 'GOAT'**

The buzz surrounding 'GOAT' is not limited to its advance bookings. The film is on track to surpass previous records set by Tamil films this year, including the much-anticipated 'Indian 2'. Kamal Haasan's vigilante drama collected Rs 11.20 crore during pre-sales, but 'GOAT' is expected to exceed this number within a matter of hours. This makes it clear that Thalapathy Vijay's star power is as strong as ever, with fans eagerly awaiting the film's release.

**Strong Demand in Key Markets**

The overwhelming response to 'GOAT' has been driven primarily by audiences in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with cities like Bengaluru and Chennai leading the way in ticket sales. The film's Tamil version has sold approximately 3.64 lakh tickets, with an additional 1,637 tickets sold for the IMAX version. This brings the total for the Tamil version to 3,65,724 tickets, grossing around Rs 7.90 crore. The Telugu market has also contributed significantly, adding Rs 3.4 lakh to the film's advance booking total.

**Expectations for a Historic Opening Day**

With such strong advance bookings, 'GOAT' is expected to record a massive opening day. Industry experts predict that the film could gross around Rs 40 crore nett in India on its first day, with over Rs 20 crore coming from advance bookings alone. The film is set to enjoy a solo release in the South Indian market, with minimal competition in the Hindi belt from 'Stree 2', which has been performing well in theatres and is now in its fourth week.

**Thalapathy Vijay's Political Debut and High Production Costs**

'GOAT' is particularly significant as it marks Thalapathy Vijay's first film after announcing his entry into politics earlier this year. This has only heightened anticipation for the film, as fans and critics alike are curious to see how Vijay's political journey will influence his career in the film industry. Additionally, 'GOAT' is one of the most expensive films produced this year, with a reported budget of around Rs 400 crore. 

The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan, Ajmal Ameer, Jayaram, Sneha, Laila, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Vaibhav, Yogi Babu, Premgi Amaren, and Yugendran in pivotal roles. The Hindi version of the film, titled 'Thalapathy Vijay is The GOAT', is also set to capture the attention of a broader audience, further cementing Vijay's status as a Pan-India star.

Advance Booking Highlights

• Record Sales: As of now, GOAT has achieved approximately Rs 16 crore
   in worldwide advance sales. This includes Rs 11 crore for its opening day, with blocked seats pushing the total to around Rs 14.69 crore  in India alone.
• Comparison with Previous Records: The film has outperformed Kamal Haasan's Indian 2, which had pre-sales totaling Rs 11.20 crore. This positions GOAT as the Tamil film with the highest advance bookings in 2024.
• Ticket Sales Breakdown: The majority of advance ticket sales are concentrated in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with significant sales also reported from Kerala and Madhya Pradesh. The film sold around 3.68 lakh tickets for its first day, indicating strong regional appeal

Box Office Projections

GOAT is projected to collect around Rs 40 crore nett on its opening day in India, with over Rs 20 crore expected from advance bookings alone. This strong performance is attributed to the film's solo release in the South Indian market, facing only minor competition from the Hindi film Stree 2.

Film Details

• Director: Venkat Prabhu
• Cast: Thalapathy Vijay stars in dual roles alongside an ensemble cast that includes Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, and Sneha, among others.
• Budget: The film is one of the most expensive Tamil films produced, with a reported budget of about Rs 400 crore

**Conclusion: A Milestone in Tamil Cinema**

With 'GOAT', Thalapathy Vijay is set to achieve another milestone in his illustrious career. The film's advance bookings are a testament to his enduring popularity and the excitement surrounding the project. As 'GOAT' prepares to hit theatres, it is clear that this film will be one of the biggest box office successes of 2024, setting new standards for Tamil cinema and solidifying Vijay's position as one of the industry's greatest stars.

The record-breaking advance bookings for 'GOAT' not only highlight the immense fan following of Thalapathy Vijay but also set the stage for what could be a historic opening weekend at the box office. As the countdown to the film's release continues, all eyes are on 'GOAT' to see if it can surpass the lofty expectations and create new benchmarks in the world of Indian cinema.