Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil is a Tamil-language comedy-drama film, released on 15 January 2026, starring Jiiva, Ilavarasu, Shajeer P. Basheer, Jensan Diwakar, Surjith Gopinath, and Jeevarathinam. Directed by Nithish Sahadev and produced under relevant banners, the movie is a political satire centered on Jeevarathinam, a village panchayat member invited to oversee a local festival, leading to comedic and dramatic events involving community dynamics and personal revelations.
Table of Contents
The film explores themes of rural politics, festivals, and social interactions, blending humor with subtle commentary on leadership and tradition. The film opened during the Pongal festival season, benefiting from holiday crowds and advance bookings, with Day 1 collections around ₹1.5 crore net in India, driven by strong occupancy in Tamil Nadu urban centers like Chennai and Madurai. Initial momentum was fueled by Jiiva’s comeback appeal and positive reactions to its satirical elements, resulting in a solid weekend push.
However, mixed reviews highlighting a predictable narrative and uneven pacing led to noticeable declines in weekdays, with occupancy dropping below 15% by mid-first week. By Day 9, the movie had accumulated approximately ₹20.84 crore net domestically, marking it as Kollywood’s first hit of 2026 with impressive returns on its modest budget. Worldwide, overseas markets contributed modestly, primarily from UAE and other diaspora regions.
As of January 24, 2026 (Day 10), collections continue to taper amid post-festival slowdown and competition from new releases, with social media discussions noting steady but diminishing interest. Comparative to other Pongal releases like those in 2025, Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil’s regional focus and word-of-mouth have sustained it better than expected for a mid-budget satire, projecting a prolonged run if Republic Day provides a boost.
Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil 2026 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil |
| Directed by | Nithish Sahadev |
| Written by | Sanjo Joesph, Nithish Sahadev, Anuraj O. B. |
| Produced by | Kannan Ravi |
| Actor | Jiiva |
| Actress | Prathana Nathan |
| Other Cast | Thambi Ramaiah, Anuraj, Ilavarasu, Jenson Dhivakar, Sarjin Kumar, Jaiwanth, Rajesh Pandian, Amith Mohan, Subash Kannan, Sharath, Savithri |
| Cinematography | Bablu Aju |
| Edited by | Arjune Babu |
| Music by | Vishnu Vijay |
| Production Companies | Kannan Ravi Productions |
| Distributed by | TBA |
| Release Date | 15 January 2026 |
| Running Time | 1h 55m |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
| Film Industry | Kollywood |
| Genre | Comedy, Drama, Political Satire |
| Censor Rating | U |
Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil Box Office Collection
| Day | Date | India Gross (crore) | Fluctuation (%+/-) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 15 Jan 2026 | ₹1.80 | (Opening Day) |
| Day 2 | 16 Jan 2026 | ₹3.50 | +94% |
| Day 3 | 17 Jan 2026 | ₹6.60 | +89% |
| Day 4 | 18 Jan 2026 | ₹6.20 | -6% |
| Day 5 | 19 Jan 2026 | ₹2.00 | -68% |
| Day 6 | 20 Jan 2026 | ₹1.40 | -30% |
| Day 7 | 21 Jan 2026 | ₹1.20 | -14% |
| Day 8 | 22 Jan 2026 | ₹0.80 | -33% |
| Day 9 | 23 Jan 2026 | ₹1.00 | +25% |
| Day 10 | 24 Jan 2026 | ₹1.80 | +80% |
| Day 11 | 25 Jan 2026 | ₹2.50 | +39% |
| Day 12 | 26 Jan 2026 | ₹1.80 | -28% |
| Day 13 | 27 Jan 2026 | ₹1.00 | -44% |
| Day 14 | 28 Jan 2026 | ₹0.80 | -20% |
| Day 15 | 29 Jan 2026 | ₹0.70 | -13% |
| Day 16 | 30 Jan 2026 | ₹0.40 | -43% |
| Day 17 | 31 Jan 2026 | ₹0.70 | +75% |
| Day 18 | 01 Feb 2026 | ₹0.80 | +14% |
| Day 19 | 02 Feb 2026 | ₹0.20 | -75% |
| Day 20 | 03 Feb 2026 | ₹0.20 | 0% |
| Day 21 | 04 Feb 2026 | ₹0.20 | 0% |
| Lifetime India Net | – | ₹29.50 crore | – |
| Lifetime India Gross | – | ₹34.80 crore | – |
| Lifetime Worldwide Gross | – | ₹38 crore | – |
Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil is a Hit or Flop
Hit
What is the budget of Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil
The budget is around ₹15 crore
Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil Ott release date
- OTT Platform: TBA
- OTT date: Expected 8 weeks post-theatrical.
Our Review
Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil unfolds as a political satire rooted in rural Tamil Nadu, directed by Nithish Sahadev, who skillfully weaves humor with social commentary on leadership and community festivals. Jiiva delivers a compelling performance as the central figure, Jeevarathinam, a panchayat member navigating the absurdities of local politics and personal ambitions, infusing the role with charisma and subtle depth that marks a strong comeback for the actor. Supporting cast members, including Ilavarasu as a seasoned elder and Shajeer P.
Basheer in a pivotal role, enhance the ensemble dynamics, creating authentic interactions that highlight generational and societal tensions. The screenplay balances comedic set pieces with poignant moments, supported by vibrant cinematography that captures the festive vibrancy of village life and a folksy score that amplifies the satirical edge. Early critical acclaim praises its relatable portrayal of grassroots governance and cultural festivities, positioning it as a refreshing entry in Tamil cinema’s satire genre, though some critiques note occasional lapses in pacing that dilute the narrative’s momentum, drawing parallels to films like Panchayat but with a distinctly regional flavor.
In terms of box office performance, Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil has emerged as Kollywood’s first hit of 2026, amassing over ₹26 crore gross in India within nine days, capitalizing on Pongal holiday crowds but experiencing expected weekday dips due to its mid-budget scale. The film’s opening weekend surge, driven by strong occupancy in Tamil Nadu, reflects Jiiva’s draw in urban and semi-urban circuits, outperforming initial projections and delivering over 100% returns on its ₹10 crore budget. Compared to contemporaneous releases like those during Pongal 2025, its satirical appeal has sustained better in regional markets, though limited overseas traction caps worldwide totals at around ₹29 crore thus far.
Republic Day proximity may provide a minor rebound, but the trajectory suggests stabilization amid competition from new entries. Looking ahead, Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil holds strong potential for extended runs in core territories, with projections estimating a domestic lifetime net of ₹25-30 crore, contingent on sustained word-of-mouth emphasizing its cultural resonance.
The film’s exploration of panchayat intricacies and festive chaos offers a timely mirror to rural life, akin to the social insights in films like Kaala, yet its success as a hit underscores Nithish Sahadev’s ability to blend entertainment with subtle critique. While not a blockbuster, Jiiva’s nuanced lead and the ensemble’s authenticity position it as a noteworthy addition to 2026’s Tamil lineup, likely gaining further appreciation on OTT platforms where its episodic satire could attract broader viewership.
Top 15 Opening day movie of Tamil 2025
- Coolie ₹65 cr
- Good Bad Ugly ₹50 cr
- VidaaMuyarchi ₹40 cr
- Dragon ₹35 cr
- Kantara Chapter 1 ₹30 cr
- Madha Gaja Raja ₹25 cr
- Retro ₹20 cr
- Idly Kadai ₹15 cr
- Madharaasi ₹10 cr
- Maareesan ₹5 cr
Top 10 Opening day movie of Jiiva
- Kalakalappu 2 ₹3 cr
- Gypsy ₹2 cr
- Siva Manasula Sakthi ₹1.5 cr
- Kee ₹1.2 cr
- Yatra 2 ₹1 cr
- Aghathiyaa ₹0.76 cr
- Pokkiri Raja ₹0.5 cr
- Kavalai Vendam ₹0.4 cr
- Thirunaal ₹0.3 cr
- Endrendrum Punnagai ₹0.2 cr
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the director of Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil?
Nithish Sahadev, making his Tamil debut with this satire.
What is the plot of Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil?
Political satire exploring leadership and family dynamics with humour.
Is Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil a remake?
No, original story by the director and co-writers.
When will Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil release on OTT?
Platform TBA, likely 8 weeks after theatres.
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).
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