Retro Box Office Collection Day 9: Suriya’s Film Faces Sharp Drop as Screenings Dwindle

Suriya’s much-anticipated gangster drama Retro faced a tough challenge on Day 9 of its theatrical run. Despite a promising start and a strong domestic opening, the film has seen a significant dip in collections and show count, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Telangana. The retro box office collection trend now paints a more cautious picture for this high-stakes release.

Retro Box Office Collection Faces Slump on Day 9

According to data from industry tracker Sacnilk, Retro managed to earn ₹1.06 crore on its ninth day, a stark 41.76% drop from its Thursday figures. The decline highlights growing audience fatigue and intensifying competition from other theatrical releases like HIT 3. With these Day 9 numbers, the film’s total domestic earnings now stand at ₹53.83 crore.

The once-buzzing screens in Tamil Nadu have witnessed a drop, with Chennai slashing nearly 50% of the shows. Hyderabad, once a stronghold for the movie, has reduced its shows to just 28. Similarly, Vizag is down to 28 shows, reflecting a broader regional retreat in occupancy and viewer interest. Although Tamil circuits still contribute relatively better numbers, the trend is clearly downward.

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Suriya’s Retro Battles Screen Cutdowns and Occupancy Woes

Despite the collaboration of Suriya and director Karthik Subbaraj generating immense hype, the film’s ongoing journey is proving to be turbulent. While Retro had an optimistic start, its dwindling occupancy rates are a matter of concern. On Day 9, Tamil regions showed only a 16.43% occupancy rate, while the Telugu version clocked in at just 9.26%—clear signs that word-of-mouth or critical buzz isn’t translating to box office stamina.

Chennai currently hosts 295 shows, while Bengaluru, Madurai, and Coimbatore offer 142, 119, and 115 screenings respectively. However, these figures mark a visible fall compared to its opening week, suggesting that theatres are reallocating screens to more lucrative or better-reviewed titles. Retro’s fate could hinge on the upcoming weekend; if no turnaround is seen, this could mark an early exit for what was intended to be a blockbuster.

Behind the Numbers: What’s Hurting Retro’s Momentum?

Industry insiders suggest multiple factors behind the faltering performance. The clash with Nani’s HIT 3 is a major consideration. Released on May 1 (Labour Day), both films have been vying for audience attention in the same linguistic territories, splitting footfalls and reducing single-screen showings for Retro. Moreover, audience feedback, while not overwhelmingly negative, hasn’t pushed viewers to return for repeat screenings or recommend the movie widely.

Produced by 2D Entertainment and Stone Bench Films, Retro boasts an ensemble cast featuring Pooja Hegde, Jayaram, Joju George, Karunakaran, Nassar, and Prakash Raj. Shriya Saran also makes a special cameo. The narrative centers on a reformed gangster determined to lead a quiet life but forced to confront his violent past. However, even this potent mix of emotion and action hasn’t sufficed to keep momentum alive beyond the initial hype.

Audience Sentiment and Future Outlook

Retro may have started strong, but sustaining box office performance requires more than just a good opening. The film’s drop in daily earnings, combined with a shrinking footprint in major urban centres, suggests that unless there’s a positive shift over the weekend, recovery might be minimal.

Even so, Suriya’s star power and the intrigue around his first collaboration with Karthik Subbaraj continue to be talking points. While some fans remain hopeful, others are already turning their attention to upcoming releases. A successful OTT run or international collections could offer a silver lining if the theatrical route continues to slide.

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Box Office: Domestic vs Worldwide

While the domestic collection currently stands at ₹53.83 crore, reports indicate that Retro has amassed ₹81 crore worldwide. This includes an impressive ₹23.15 crore from overseas markets—a saving grace for the producers. Such numbers underscore Suriya’s broad appeal and the international fanbase that still turns out for his theatrical releases, even when domestic buzz begins to taper.

The retro box office collection trajectory for Day 9 confirms what many industry watchers feared: a sharp dip in screenings and earnings. Whether Retro can turn things around depends largely on its weekend performance and possible OTT success in the near future.

FAQs

What is the Day 9 box office collection of Retro?

On Day 9, Retro earned ₹1.06 crore at the domestic box office, marking a significant drop from the previous day.

Why has Retro’s show count decreased in Chennai and Hyderabad?

The show count dropped due to declining audience interest and increased competition from other films, especially HIT 3.

What is Retro’s total domestic collection so far?

As of Day 9, Retro has grossed ₹53.83 crore in India, with signs of a further slowdown in revenue.

Is Retro doing well internationally?

Yes, Retro has collected ₹23.15 crore overseas, bringing its worldwide total to ₹81 crore, showing strong international appeal.

Who directed Retro and who stars in it?

Retro is directed by Karthik Subbaraj and stars Suriya, Pooja Hegde, Jayaram, Joju George, and others, including a cameo by Shriya Saran.

What genre is Retro and what is it about?

Retro is a gangster drama about a reformed gangster who faces his troubled past while trying to honor a promise to his wife and lead a peaceful life.