# Vijay's 25-Year-Old **Ghilli** Crushes Ajith's **Thunivu** in Re-Release Box Office Clash! Is nostalgia the ultimate box office weapon? Thalapathy Vijay's iconic 2004 sports drama **Ghilli**, starring Trisha Krishnan, has stormed ahead of Ajith Kumar's 2023 thriller **Thunivu** in their epic re-release face-off, racking up a massive lead right from day one.[1] Released on February 20, 2026, both films hit theaters simultaneously, sparking a fan-fueled rivalry that's got Kollywood buzzing. **Ghilli**, a remake of the Telugu hit *Okkadu* directed by Dhar and produced by A. Rathnam, follows a kabaddi player (Vijay) caught in a whirlwind of action, family drama, and romance opposite Trisha, with Prakash Raj as the menacing villain. Its remastered 4K version in 2024 already proved its timeless pull on TV and streaming—now it's back dominating screens in around 250 theaters across Tamil Nadu and beyond.[1][3] In stark contrast, **Thunivu**—H. Vinoth's high-octane bank heist tale exposing financial corruption, with Ajith, Manju Warrier, and Samuthirakani—limited its re-release to about 225 screens in Tamil Nadu alone. Despite its original Pongal success as one of Ajith's top grossers, it couldn't match **Ghilli**'s fire.[1][3] Check out this day-wise showdown that highlights **Ghilli**'s commanding edge: | Day | **Ghilli** Re-Release | **Thunivu** Re-Release | |-----|-----------------------|------------------------| | 1 | Rs. 55 lakh | Rs. 18 lakh | | 2 | Rs. 65 lakh | Rs. 15 lakh | | 3 | Rs. 75 lakh | Rs. 9 lakh | | **Total (Weekend)** | **Rs. 1.95 crore** | **Rs. 42 lakh** |[1] **Ghilli** pulled in Rs. 1.70 crore from Tamil Nadu and Rs. 25 lakh elsewhere, building a whopping Rs. 1.53 crore lead over **Thunivu**. Advance bookings hinted at the hype, with theater owners eyeing a festival-like clash—**Ghilli**'s broader reach and die-hard fans clearly tipped the scales.[1][3] This re-release frenzy even joins **Karuppu** (starring Vijay Sethupathi) on the same date, turning February 20 into a multi-starrer bonanza.[3] Note: These figures are approximate, compiled from industry trackers.[1] Who wins in your book—Vijay's evergreen energy or Ajith's thriller grip? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, share this post with your cinema squad, and let's keep the debate alive! 🚀
Citations
1.https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/ghilli-vs-thunivu-re-release-box-office-collections-thalapathy-vijay-starrer-establishes-big-lead-over-ajith-kumars-film-1400984
2.https://www.bollymoviereviewz.com/2022/02/tamil-box-office-collection-kollywood-report-verdict.html
3.https://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/news/2026/ghilli-vs-thunivu-re-release-vijay-ajith-films-set-for-box-office-face-off-advance-booking-begins-502903.html
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