Prithviraj Sukumaran's survival drama "Aadujeevitham" showcased its resilience on Monday, surpassing the performance of several major Malayalam releases in 2024.
Despite an anticipated dip in box office collections on Monday following a strong opening weekend, director Blessy's "Aadujeevitham" continued to impress audiences, exceeding expectations and setting new benchmarks for Malayalam cinema.
After earning Rs 8.7 crore on Sunday, the film recorded a commendable nett of Rs 5.25 crore on Monday in the domestic market, marking a 39% decline, as reported by industry tracker Sacnilk. The film's total domestic nett now stands at Rs 35.55 crore, with a global gross of Rs 64.85 crore.
"Aadujeevitham" maintained an overall occupancy rate of 53.74% in the Malayalam market on Monday. The morning shows began with a 40.85% occupancy, gradually rising to 52.52% in the afternoon and reaching a peak of 61.26% in the evening. However, there was a slight decline during the night screenings, with the occupancy rate standing at 60.31%.
In Kerala alone, the film garnered Rs 3.85 crore on its fifth day in theatres, with 255,885 admissions across 1,387 shows, achieving an impressive occupancy rate of 66.79%.
Compared to other blockbuster Malayalam movies released in 2024 such as "Manjummel Boys," "Premalu," "Bramayugam," and "Abraham Ozler," "Aadujeevitham" outperformed significantly with its first Monday collection.
Despite its genre and nature, devoid of mass appeal or fan service moments, "Aadujeevitham" continues to make strides in the industry, indicating a notable shift in audience perception and viewing habits. The film's rapid entry into the Rs 50 crore global gross club further solidifies its position as a game-changer in Malayalam cinema.
In his review for The Indian Express, Anandu Suresh praised Prithviraj Sukumaran's portrayal, stating, "Prithviraj Sukumaran delivers one of his career-best performances, elevating the Blessy film above its shortcomings. Despite a somewhat shaky start, he admirably rises to the challenge, portraying Najeeb with authenticity."