Pookie Movie Collection | Budget | OTT

Pookie is a Tamil movie, released on February 13, 2026, starring Ajay Dhishan as the lead, R.K. Dhanusha as the female lead, alongside Vijay Antony in a supporting role, with additional performances from Pandiarajan, Sunil Varma, Lakshmi Manchu, Vivek Prasanna, and Manda Fack. Directed by Ganesh Chandhrra and produced by Vijay Antony Film Corporation, this romantic comedy explores the complexities of modern relationships, focusing on a young couple navigating misunderstandings, breakups, and reconciliations influenced by social media and personal dilemmas.

The plot centers on a man struggling to express his desire for separation, only to discover his partner shares similar thoughts, leading to a reconciliation laced with lingering doubts. Shot in both Tamil and Telugu as a bilingual project, the film incorporates elements of humor, emotional depth, and contemporary themes like viral trends and Gen-Z coping mechanisms, with music composed by Vijay Antony adding a melodic touch to the narrative.

The production faced typical challenges of coordinating debutants and ensemble scenes but generated pre-release interest through its teaser and songs, positioning it as a light-hearted option for Valentine’s weekend viewers. In India, advance bookings were modest, hovering around ₹0.3-0.5 crore gross, primarily in urban Tamil Nadu centers like Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai, where youth audiences showed curiosity for its relatable rom-com vibe.

Worldwide, the release encountered stiff competition from larger titles such as O’ Romeo and Funky, limiting screen shares in multiplexes outside South India, with minimal diaspora screenings in the Gulf and US. Early feedback from morning shows emphasized the film’s trendy dialogues and social media references, though its A-certification might deter family groups.

Preliminary estimates suggest a subdued opening day net in India around ₹0.5-0.7 crore, bolstered by walk-ins in Telugu markets, with global additions estimated at ₹0.1-0.2 crore, reflecting a niche but steady launch reliant on word-of-mouth for weekend growth. As of 12:48 PM IST, partial tracking indicated occupancy rates of 20-30% in key urban venues, with potential upticks in evening slots driven by positive initial reactions to the leads’ chemistry.

Pookie 2026 Overview

Attribute	Details
Title	Pookie
Directed by	Ganesh Chandra
Written by	Puthiya Parithi
Produced by	Vijay Antony
Lead Actor	Ajay Dhishan
Lead Actress	R. K Dhanusha
Other Cast	Vijay Antony, Pandiarajan, Sunil, Lakshmi Manchu, Vivek Prasanna
Cinematography	Ganesh Chandra
Edited by	Vijay Antony
Music by	Vijay Antony
Production Companies	Vijay Anthony Film Corporation
Distributed by	Not specified
Release Date	February 13, 2026
Running Time	2h 12m
Country	India
Language	Tamil, Telugu
Film Industry	Kollywood
Genre	Drama, Romantic
Censor Rating	UA13+

Pookie Box Office Collection

Day	Date	India Gross (crore)	Fluctuation (%+/-)
Day 1	February 13, 2026	₹0.6	(Opening Day – Early Estimate)
Lifetime India Net	–	₹0.5 crore	–
Lifetime India Gross	–	₹0.6 crore	–
Lifetime Worldwide Gross	–	₹0.7 crore	–

Pookie is a Hit or Flop
Verdict to be determined post-release.

What is the budget of Pookie
The budget is estimated at ₹7 crore.

Pookie Ott release date

OTT Platform: Zee5
OTT date: To be announced post-release.

Our Review

Pookie offers a fresh take on contemporary romance in Tamil cinema, directed by Ganesh Chandhrra, who skillfully navigates the intricacies of Gen-Z relationships through a story filled with misunderstandings, social media chaos, and emotional reconciliations. Ajay Dhishan makes a confident debut as the conflicted male lead, bringing a mix of vulnerability and charm to his role as a young man torn between separation and attachment, while

R.K. Dhanusha shines as his equally uncertain partner, infusing the character with relatable modern flair and subtle humor. The supporting cast, including Vijay Antony’s cameo-like presence adding gravitas, Pandiarajan’s comedic timing, and Vivek Prasanna’s energetic contributions, elevates the ensemble dynamics, creating moments of genuine laughter amid the couple’s dilemmas.

The screenplay incorporates trendy elements like viral challenges and coping mechanisms, supported by Vijay Antony’s catchy soundtrack that blends upbeat tracks with poignant melodies, and cinematography that captures urban life with vibrant energy. However, the narrative occasionally relies too heavily on gimmicks and buzzwords, risking superficiality in character development compared to deeper rom-coms like Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa.

From a box office perspective, Pookie has started with a tentative momentum, registering an early estimate of ₹0.6 crore gross on opening day, as per trade analyses from sources like Sacnilk and industry trackers, falling in line with projections for a mid-budget bilingual release amid competition from O’ Romeo’s stronger urban pull. This positions it modestly against recent Tamil rom-coms like Lover (₹0.8 crore opener), with Tamil Nadu multiplexes driving collections, though single-screen response in mass areas remains lukewarm due to its youth-oriented themes.

Overseas, initial reactions in Telugu-speaking regions and the Middle East show moderate interest in its bilingual appeal, potentially pushing worldwide figures toward ₹10-15 crore if sustained. Compared to Vijay Antony’s production ventures like Kolai (₹5 crore lifetime), Pookie’s focus on relatable millennial issues could aid longevity, but mixed early reviews critiquing its lack of depth—averaging 2.5/5 across platforms—might hinder broader acceptance.

Looking ahead, Pookie’s trajectory hinges on weekend growth and affirmative word-of-mouth emphasizing its light-hearted vibe, with potential to cross ₹2-3 crore in the first three days aiming for a ₹15-20 crore India net lifetime, achieving average to semi-hit status against its ₹7 crore budget, supplemented by Zee5 OTT rights. Conversely, stagnant holds could label it an average performer, similar to understated entries like Modern Love Chennai.

Ultimately, the film represents a bold attempt at capturing evolving love stories in Kollywood, blending humor with social commentary, and may inspire more bilingual projects exploring digital-age relationships despite its narrative shortcomings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the plot of Pookie?

The film follows two young people navigating the complexities of falling in or out of love, amid modern elements like social media, anger, and heartbreak.

Who are the main stars in Pookie?

It stars Ajay Dhishan as the lead actor and Dhanusha as the lead actress.

When is Pookie releasing?

The movie is released on February 13, 2026.

What genre is Pookie?

It is a romantic drama exploring contemporary relationships.

Who directed Pookie?

The film is directed by Ganesh Chandhra.

Where will Pookie release on OTT?

The film’s satellite and digital rights are with Zee Network, and it is expected to stream on Zee5 after its theatrical run.

Disclaimer:

Box office figures in this article are independently estimated by Tenvow based on an internal tracking methodology that evaluates theatre occupancy trends, distributor feedback, and regional trade indicators.
The data reflects industry estimates available at the time of publication and may vary slightly from officially reported or audited figures released later.
These figures should be considered preliminary and indicative, not official confirmations.
Tenvow does not guarantee absolute accuracy of the data and presents it solely for informational purposes.
All financial figures are stated in Indian Rupees (INR) and represented in crores, unless specified otherwise.
All dates and times mentioned follow Indian Standard Time (IST) (UTC +5:30).

Reference:

Times of India

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