Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Tamil-language film Leo: Bloody Sweet, starring Vijay, debuted in third position at the global box office last weekend by raking in US$31.2 million ($42.7 million), according to estimates released on Sunday by Comscore.
The weekend was won by Martin Scorsese’s Killers Of The Flower Moon, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone, with US$44 million, followed by Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour with US$41.5 million.
But in terms of the worldwide cumulative figure among new releases, Leo earned US$48.5 million (after four days), beating Killers Of The Flower Moon, making the Indian film the biggest international box-office hit last weekend.
This is a phenomenal performance by Leo despite the hurdles the film had to overcome in recent months, with some parties putting the blame on the politics in Tamil Nadu and the growing popularity of Vijay.
The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government on Sept 28 denied permission for the film’s audio launch, which was scheduled to take place at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Sept 30, citing security concerns, reported The Times of India.
The Madras High Court turned down a plea from the producers to allow the screening of the film from 4am on the Oct 19 opening day and gave the nod for only 9am shows.
When the film’s trailer was launched on Oct 5, there were viewers who claimed that Vijay insulted women in one of his dialogues. A report was filed with the Chennai City police commissioner to remove the scene.
The producers became anxious when theatre property got damaged during a special screening of the teaser.
A court in Hyderabad imposed a stay on Leo’s screening till Oct 20, after Telugu film producer S. Nagavashi claimed that he had already registered the name Leo for his upcoming film.
Earlier, the film was panned for glorifying smoking in the song Naa Ready and there were claims the dancers did not get paid.
According to local media reports, the problems for Leo began after Vijay made politically-loaded statements at the film’s audio and teaser launch events. There were claims that the DMK government is wary of Vijay’s political ambitions, with the Indian general elections scheduled for next year.
Some reports also said that Leo’s producers did not want to give the distribution rights of certain prime territories in Chennai and surrounding districts to Red Giant Movies, owned by Udhaynidhi Stalin, the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development and son of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
Leo is about cafe owner Vijay who is incited to return to his violent past.
The movie, which was made with a massive budget of Rs300 crore ($49 million), raked in Rs487 crore even before its release, through the sale of satellite, digital and video rights, according to trade analysts. Netflix acquired the OTT rights for an astounding Rs125 crore.
Vijay has not commented on the controversies or the success of Leo. Kanagaraj has said that Vijay is not to be blamed for the dialogue controversy.
“The expression of anger and other emotions in a movie is shown not just through violent scenes but through the words as well,” said the director.
“During shooting, Vijay asked me whether using that word would be appropriate or would it cause any trouble. I reassured him that his character demanded such usage and that it would not cause him any harm. I’m ready to shoulder all the accusations and criticisms.”
Indo-Asian News Service
