Amid the hullabaloo surrounding the release of Thug Life (except in Karnataka), Kamal Haasan's Vikram (2022) hit theatres in Japan. Vikram is poised to register the highest-opening figures for a foreign film in Japan, a distinction ascribed to Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. According to reports, the film grossed more than 50 lakh in Japan. Director Lokesh Kanagaraj's film, also starring Vijay Sethupathi, Arjun Das, and Fahadh Faasil, reportedly minted more than 200 crore at the global box office after its initial release.

Vikram follows an erstwhile military officer and leader of covert operations and his attempts to destroy a criminal syndicate with his group of vigilantes. Vikram continues the legacy of Indian films, particularly those from South India, doing well in Japan. Films such as Rajinikanth's Muthu, SS Rajamouli's RRR and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion enjoyed commercial success there.