The Tamil action thriller Mankatha, starring Ajith Kumar and directed by Venkat Prabhu, has once again made a strong mark at the box office following its theatrical re-release on January 23, 2026. According to a box office report on Koimoi, the film completed its first week in cinemas with impressive earnings, securing the third-biggest opening week among Kollywood re-releases globally.
Originally released in August 2011, Mankatha became a cult favourite for fans due to its thrilling heist narrative and charismatic performances. Its return to theatres more than a decade later attracted significant audience attention, especially in the Tamil Nadu market.
Strong Opening Week Collections
In its seven-day run, Mankatha achieved a worldwide gross of approximately ₹13.8 crore, as tracked by Koimoi. Domestically in India, the film earned a net collection of around ₹10.6 crore and a gross of ₹12.5 crore after adjusting for taxes. Overseas earnings added another ₹1.3 crore to the tally, bringing the total global figure close to ₹14 crore.
Despite a slightly sharper drop in business after its initial debut weekend, Mankatha held well enough to secure a place on the list of top re-released films. The only Kollywood films ahead of it in opening week collections are Ghilli with ₹20 crore and Padayappa with ₹16 crore, according to the same Koimoi report.
Why the Re-Release Matters
Mankatha Re-Release Box Office: Ajith Kumar’s Film Registers 3rd Biggest Opening Week Among Kollywood Re-Releases, Reports KoimoiThe re-release success underscores the enduring fan loyalty that Ajith Kumar commands and the continuing popularity of classic Tamil cinema among theatre-going audiences. Koimoi’s coverage highlights that although Mankatha didn’t surpass the all-time re-release records of Ghilli or Padayappa, it still stands tall as the third-highest opening week grosser in this category.
The performance also reflects how nostalgic re-runs of beloved films can still generate substantial box office revenue, especially when backed by strong fan enthusiasm and strategic release timing such as the Republic Day weekend in India.
