Ghilli Vs Padayappa Box Office Collection: Vijay Or Rajinikanth? The Original Box Office Numbers Revealed

Ghilli vs. Padayappa Box Office Collection: Fans of Tamil cinema have shown strong interest in the re-release of blockbuster films in recent years, with theatrical re-releases generating renewed box office attention. Following the re-release of Thalapathy Vijay's Ghilli last year, which achieved significant commercial success, Rajinikanth's Padayappa has recently returned to theaters, prompting comparisons between the two films' box office performance.

According to a report by Cineulagam, official figures suggest that Padayappa, originally released in 1999, earned ₹29 crore in Tamil Nadu and ₹60 crore worldwide. In contrast, Ghilli, which premiered in 2004, collected ₹25 crore in the state and ₹37.5 crore globally. These numbers offer a clearer picture amid the ongoing fan debates over which film performed better in terms of revenue.

Ghilli Overview

Ghilli, directed by Dharani and produced by A. M. Rathnam, is a sports action film starring Vijay, alongside Trisha and Prakash Raj. The story follows a Kabaddi player who travels to Madurai for an exhibition match but becomes entangled in a dangerous situation when he rescues a woman from a gang leader. The film, noted for its engaging action sequences and musical score composed by Vidyasagar, reportedly ran for over 200 days in theaters and was the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2004. Its remastered 4K version was re-released worldwide on April 20, 2024, and drew large crowds.

Padayappa Overview

Padayappa, directed and written by K. S. Ravikumar, starred Rajinikanth in the title role and featured veteran actor Sivaji Ganesan in a key supporting role. The film, with music by A. R. Rahman, revolves around the challenges faced by Padayappa and his family due to a long-standing feud and the schemes of his cousin Neelambari. To coincide with Rajinikanth's 75th birthday on December 12, 2025, the film was re-released in theaters on December 12, attracting attention from fans and media alike.

With their theatrical re-releases, both Ghilli and Padayappa highlight the enduring appeal of Tamil cinema's iconic actors and films. While Vijay's Ghilli set new benchmarks during its re-release, Rajinikanth's Padayappa has demonstrated strong box office traction as well, reinforcing the commercial viability of classic films in today's market.