Which Was the First ₹500 Crore Movie in Tamil Cinema?
Image Credit: Lyca Productions
Tamil cinema has grown massively over the past decade, breaking regional boundaries and achieving global box office success. One of the biggest milestones in Kollywood history was crossing the ₹500 crore mark worldwide. The first Tamil film to achieve this historic milestone was .
Overview
Released in 2018, 2.0 is a science fiction action film and a standalone sequel to Enthiran (2010). The movie combined cutting-edge visual effects with a strong social message about environmental protection and the harmful effects of excessive mobile radiation on birds. The film was released in Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu, making it a true pan-Indian blockbuster.
With massive production scale, advanced 3D technology, and international-level VFX, 2.0 set new standards in Indian cinema.
Director
The film was directed by visionary filmmaker , known for making large-scale commercial films with social themes. His previous works include Indian, Anniyan, and Enthiran. With 2.0, he pushed technical boundaries and delivered one of India’s most expensive films at the time.
Starring
- as Dr. Vaseegaran and Chitti
- as Pakshi Rajan (Tamil debut)
- as Nila
- Music by
Rajinikanth’s dual role performance was one of the highlights of the film.
Worldwide Gross
2.0 grossed over ₹500 crore worldwide, becoming the first Tamil film to cross this milestone.
Box Office Highlights:
- Strong opening weekend collections
- Huge performance in Hindi markets
- Successful overseas run (USA, UAE, Asia)
- One of the highest-grossing Indian films of 2018
The Hindi version significantly contributed to the total earnings.
Key Achievement
✔ First Tamil movie to cross ₹500 crore worldwide
✔ One of the most expensive Indian films at release
✔ Massive international release
✔ Advanced 3D and VFX technology
This achievement proved Tamil cinema’s global box office power.
Context: What Happened After 2.0?
After 2.0, several Tamil films entered the ₹500 crore club, including:
However, 2.0 remains historically important as the first to reach this landmark.
Critical Reception & Rating
The film received mixed to positive reviews. Critics praised the visual effects, action sequences, and Rajinikanth’s screen presence. Some reviews mentioned pacing issues in the screenplay.
Average ratings across platforms range around 6 to 7 out of 10.
Conclusion
The success of 2.0 marked a turning point in Tamil cinema history. It showed that regional films could compete globally and break major financial barriers. Crossing ₹500 crore was not just a box office record — it was a statement of Kollywood’s global reach.
For Tamil cinema fans, 2.0 will always be remembered as the first 500 crore milestone film.