Vijay Sethupathi’s Ace opens to mixed reviews, records one of his lowest Box Office openings Post-COVID.

Vijay Sethupathi’s latest film Ace hit the big screens on May 23, 2025. The romantic crime comedy was expected to perform well, especially with the actor riding high on the success of recent films like Maharaja and Viduthalai Part 2. However, Ace has opened to mixed reviews and a lukewarm response at the box office.

Despite high hopes, the film saw a slow start on Day 1. Directed by Arumuga Kumar and also starring Yogi Babu and Rukmini Vasanth, Ace managed to collect only ₹1 crore on its opening day. This marks one of Vijay Sethupathi’s lowest opening day collections in recent years.

Ace Registers Third Lowest Opening for Vijay Sethupathi Post-COVID

When compared to the actor’s recent releases, Ace has earned the third lowest opening among all his post-COVID films where he plays the lead role. The only two films that opened lower than Ace are Maamanithan, which earned ₹60 lakh on its first day, and Kadaisi Vivasayi, which collected just ₹10 lakh.

Here’s a look at the Day 1 box office collection of all Vijay Sethupathi movies released post-COVID, ranked from highest to lowest:

1. Viduthalai Part 2 – ₹7.60 crore
2. Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal – ₹6.45 crore
3. Maharaja – ₹4.70 crore
4. Viduthalai Part 1 – ₹3.85 crore
5. Merry Christmas – ₹2.45 crore
6. Laabam – ₹1.08 crore
7. DSP – ₹1 crore
8. Ace – ₹1 crore
9. Maamanithan – ₹60 lakh
10. Kadaisi Vivasayi – ₹10 lakh

Even though Ace had a better opening than Kadaisi Vivasayi, it is still considered a weak start for a star like Vijay Sethupathi. Interestingly, Ace opened 900% higher than Kadaisi Vivasayi, which is the actor’s lowest opening day performance post-pandemic.

What Went Wrong for Ace?

The film’s genre – a mix of romance and crime with comedic elements – might not have appealed to a broad audience. Moreover, the word-of-mouth from early viewers has been mixed, which may have affected footfalls on its opening day.

While the numbers are disappointing, all hope is not lost. Weekend collections could improve if audience feedback turns more positive and if the film gains momentum through family and youth viewers. The coming days are crucial to determine whether Ace can recover from its slow start and pick up some pace at the box office.

Final Thoughts

Vijay Sethupathi has delivered many hits in recent times, and every new release brings high expectations. Unfortunately, Ace hasn’t opened as strongly as expected. Still, with a loyal fanbase and potential weekend growth, the film might yet see a turnaround. For now, it remains one of the actor’s most modest openings in the post-COVID era.

Stay tuned for more updates on Ace’s box office collection and performance in the coming days.

For more such updates, stay tuned to DNA Bollywood!