Leo Movie 2023: Lokesh Kanagaraj’s latest venture, ‘Leo,’ starring the charismatic ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay, experienced a remarkable resurgence on its third day in theaters after a slow start on Friday. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film recorded an impressive estimated Rs 40 crore nett in the domestic market, marking an 11.88% surge in box office earnings compared to Day 2. The total domestic earnings for ‘Leo’ now stand at Rs 140.05 crore. Globally, the film has already crossed the Rs 200-crore mark within just three days.
Despite a dip in the Tamil market on Friday, ‘Leo’ witnessed a significant improvement in occupancy on Saturday. The morning show had an occupancy rate of 65.73%, which rose to 79.51% during evening screenings, showing a notable increase from the previous day’s figures of 63.03% and 70.67%, respectively.
Comparing ‘Leo’ with Nelson’s ‘Jailer,’ another Rajinikanth-starrer released on a Thursday, ‘Leo’ has outperformed its predecessor, surpassing its daily earnings during the initial theatrical run. ‘Jailer’ had earned Rs 48.35 crore, Rs 25.75 crore, and Rs 34.3 crore on its first three days.
In contrast, Anil Ravipudi’s ‘Nandamuri Balakrishna-starrer Bhagavanth Kesari’ has struggled, managing only Rs 25.5 crore worldwide, with an estimated Day-3 nett of Rs 8 crore.
A Closer Look at ‘Leo’: Thalapathy Vijay’s Box Office Impact
Thalapathy Vijay, collaborating with acclaimed filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj, brings forth the action-packed drama ‘Leo.’ The film’s anticipation has been on the rise, promising a significant impact at the box office. Let’s explore whether this highly awaited film lives up to the expectations.
Plot Overview: ‘Leo’ follows Parthiban (Thalapathy Vijay), who runs a café in Theog, Himachal Pradesh, leading a normal life with his wife Satya (Trisha) and two children. Threats to his daughter and a café worker force Parthiban to take drastic action, unraveling a chain of events that entangle his family. Amidst the chaos, gangsters Antony Das (Sanjay Dutt) and Harold Das (Arjun) enter his life, convinced that Parthiban is their kin, Leo Das (Thalapathy Vijay). The film unfolds as the mystery behind Leo Das unravels, revealing the turmoil Parthiban faces.
Film Highlights: The initial half of the film is engaging, deliberately paced to immerse viewers in Parthiban’s world. Notable moments, like the hyena scene and the ensuing family drama, provide a vivid entry into the narrative. The café fight scene, a pivotal moment, showcases Vijay’s vulnerability and acting prowess alongside impeccable action sequences.
The interval segment effectively sets the stage for the second half, featuring stellar action sequences and commendable cinematography. Trisha delivers a praiseworthy performance, and the film gains momentum in the pre-climax and climax portions, offering moments of excitement for fans.
Drawbacks: The second half, often crucial in determining a film’s impact, falls victim to a common affliction—a lackluster second hour. Surprisingly, the flashback sequences exhibit subpar writing, a departure from Lokesh Kanagaraj’s typically brilliant work.
Technical Aspects: While Anirudh’s background score is effective in parts, it doesn’t reach the heights of his previous works. The songs, hindered by inadequate translation, fail to leave a lasting impression. Manoj Paramahamsa’s cinematography shines, particularly in action sequences. Editing falters in the latter half, and VFX quality varies, with some scenes appearing less polished.
Director’s Verdict: Lokesh Kanagaraj adeptly handles the first half but stumbles in sustaining momentum. While the storyline may be familiar, execution is key, and here, Kanagaraj falls short of expectations. Despite being part of the larger cinematic universe, ‘Leo’ offers only moments of elation for franchise fans.
Final Thoughts: ‘Leo’ heavily relies on Thalapathy Vijay’s powerhouse performance. While the first half is engaging despite its deliberate pace, the film encounters turbulence in the second half. Weakly scripted flashback sequences and underdeveloped characters are notable shortcomings. Lokesh Kanagaraj’s trademark brilliance is somewhat elusive in ‘Leo,’ leaving the film’s box office prospects in the hands of Vijay’s stardom and the allure of the larger cinematic universe.”