Jailer 2 beats 2.0 to become highest-grossing Tamil film ever

Rajinikanth's Jailer 2 has overtaken Shankar's 2.0 to become the highest-grossing Tamil film worldwide, according to box-office tracker Sacnilk. The film passed 2.0's lifetime worldwide gross of about Rs 691 crore on Sunday, October 25, 2026, its 11th day in cinemas, and became the first Tamil film to cross Rs 700 crore. By the end of its 14th day, Wednesday, October 28, its worldwide gross stood at about Rs 755.5 crore, the tracker's estimates show. The action drama is directed by Nelson Dilipkumar.

When this network last reported on Jailer 2's box office, the film had crossed Rs 666 crore worldwide and was closing in on 2.0's record. It has now gone past it. 2.0, directed by Shankar and also starring Rajinikanth, had held the top spot for Tamil cinema until now. That the record has passed from one Rajinikanth film to another underlines how strongly the actor still draws audiences, in India and abroad.

The overseas share is striking. About Rs 260 crore of the worldwide gross, more than a third, has come from outside India, according to the estimates. Jailer 2's run shows how much overseas markets now add to a big Tamil film's total, and crossing Rs 700 crore sets a new mark for the industry.

The daily numbers also show the usual pattern of a big release. In its second week, the film added about Rs 105.8 crore net in India, according to Sacnilk, well below its opening week. The film opened with about Rs 59.70 crore net in India on day one and was earning about Rs 6.55 crore on its 14th day. Collections tend to fall sharply after the opening week, and how slowly the decline continues will decide how high the final total goes. Reports say the film is now aiming for the Rs 800 crore mark worldwide.

Box-office figures in India are mostly estimates from trackers and trade analysts, gathered from cinema chains and distributors. Different trackers can report slightly different numbers, and producers sometimes release their own figures, which may be higher. The totals here are the trackers' estimates as reported.

Short-term: The record gives the film fresh publicity during its third week, which may help hold audiences in cinemas, especially at weekends.

Long-term: The success strengthens the case for big-budget Tamil films aimed at audiences across India and abroad, and may shape how producers plan releases, budgets and overseas distribution for future star-led films.

Who is affected: Cinema owners and distributors in Tamil Nadu, the rest of India and overseas markets; the film's producers and cast; Rajinikanth's fans; and other Tamil films competing for screens in the coming weeks.

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