Suriya’s much-anticipated film Retro hit the big screens on May 1, 2025. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj and co-starring Pooja Hegde, the film had high expectations leading up to its release. While Retro performed well at the box office on its opening day, it fell short of the numbers set by Suriya’s previous film Kanguva.
Retro Day 1 Box Office Collection Worldwide
According to trade reports from Sacnilk, Retro collected ₹32.25 crore worldwide on its first day. The film earned ₹19 crore net and ₹22.25 crore gross in India. Overseas, it brought in an additional ₹10 crore. Although these numbers are impressive, they didn’t surpass the opening day collection of Kanguva, which had made ₹40 crore globally.
Interestingly, the makers of Retro claimed the film earned ₹46 crore worldwide on day one. The difference in reported numbers could be due to different tracking sources or early estimates from the production house.
How Does It Compare with Kanguva?
Suriya’s previous release, Kanguva, had a much stronger opening. It earned ₹24 crore net in India and a total of ₹40 crore globally on its first day. Despite getting mixed reviews, Kanguva eventually went on to collect ₹106.25 crore worldwide over its entire run.
Retro, in comparison, started a bit slower but has some strong points in its favor. The film has received slightly better reviews and also benefits from a long weekend, which could help boost its collections in the coming days.
Mixed Reviews but Strong Occupancy
Retro got a mixed response from audiences and critics on its first day. While some praised the performances and nostalgic setting, others felt the film didn’t live up to the hype. Still, the movie saw good attendance in Tamil Nadu, with a reported 78.89% occupancy. Afternoon shows saw even higher numbers, reaching 83.91%.
This suggests that there is interest among fans, especially in Tamil-speaking regions, which could help the film’s performance over the weekend.
What is Retro About?
Retro is a period-action drama set in the 1980s. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, the film is produced by Stone Bench Creations and 2D Entertainment. Suriya plays the role of Paarivel Kannan, also known as Paari—a man with a dark and violent past. Pooja Hegde plays Rukmini (Rukku), Paari’s love interest.
The story follows Paari as he tries to leave behind his violent ways to live a peaceful life with Rukku. However, circumstances force him to confront his past once again. The film also stars Joju George, Jayaram, Nassar, and Prakash Raj in important roles.
Will Retro Succeed in the Long Run?
Even though Retro didn’t open as big as Kanguva, the film still has potential. With a better reception and a holiday weekend ahead, it might pick up pace at the box office. Time will tell if Suriya’s Retro can overtake Kanguva in the long run.
