Soori’s Mandaadi has emerged as the stronger domestic performer in its opening-day face-off with Karthi’s Sardar 2, delivering a particularly strong showing in Tamil Nadu. However, the sports drama has had to settle for second place in the worldwide opening after the spy action film benefited from a larger overseas contribution.

Mandaadi has grossed Rs 6.55 crore worldwide on Day 1, including an India gross of Rs 5.55 crore and an overseas gross of Rs 1 crore. The film has collected Rs 4.75 crore net in India from 2,953 shows, recording an overall occupancy of 32.6%.

The film’s biggest advantage came from Tamil Nadu, where it grossed Rs 4 crore on its opening day. That is substantially ahead of Sardar 2, which collected Rs 2.40 crore in the state. Mandaadi also managed this despite being screened across 2,953 shows, compared to 3,950 shows for the Karthi-starrer, making its domestic opening particularly notable.

However, Sardar 2 has edged ahead when worldwide collections are taken into account. Karthi’s film has grossed Rs 6.80 crore globally, Rs 25 lakh more than Mandaadi, with its overseas business contributing Rs 1.50 crore. Mandaadi, meanwhile, has earned Rs 1 crore from international markets.

Beyond Tamil Nadu, Mandaadi has collected Rs 1 crore from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Rs 37 lakh from Karnataka, Rs 15 lakh from Kerala and Rs 3 lakh from the rest of India. The film’s India gross of Rs 5.55 crore is higher than Sardar 2’s Rs 5.30 crore, giving Soori the edge in the domestic opening.

Helmed by Mathimaran Pugazhendi, Mandaadi also stars Suhas, Mahima Nambiar, Mithun Jai Shankar, Sathyaraj, Balasaravanan and Krish Hassan, among others. Elred Kumar has produced the film under his RS Infortainment banner. He has also written for the film along with R Mohanavasanthan and Thiral Sankar.