Cobra is a Tamil-language action thriller directed by R. Ajay Gnanamuthu and starring Chiyaan Vikram in a powerful dual-role performance. The film generated strong pre-release buzz due to Vikram’s intense character transformation and the director’s earlier success with thrillers. Cobra was released theatrically on 31 August 2022, coinciding with Vinayaka Chaturthi, across Tamil Nadu and major overseas markets.
Despite high expectations, Cobra faced mixed word-of-mouth after release, which had a visible impact on its box office trend in the following days.
Movie Budget (Production + P&A)
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | ₹85–90 crore |
| Print & Advertising (P&A) | ₹15–20 crore |
| Total Budget | ₹105–110 crore |
Cobra budget was considered high for a content-driven thriller, mainly due to:
- Chiyaan Vikram’s remuneration
- Extensive VFX and international shooting schedules
- Large-scale promotions
Opening Day Box Office Collection
Cobra opened well on Day 1 due to strong advance bookings and festival holiday benefits.
- Cobra Day 1 Collection (India Nett): ₹20.5 crore
- Tamil Nadu contribution: ~₹15 crore
- Overseas opening: ~₹6 crore gross
The opening numbers clearly reflected Vikram’s star power and solid pre-release hype.
Day-wise Box Office Collection Table (India Nett)
| Day | Collection (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | 20.5 |
| Day 2 | 11.2 |
| Day 3 | 9.3 |
| Day 4 | 7.1 |
| Day 5 | 6.0 |
| Day 6 | 4.5 |
| Day 7 | 3.8 |
| Week 1 Total | 62.4 |
| Week 2 (Total) | 11.5 |
| Week 3 (Total) | 3.2 |
| India Nett Total | 77.1 crore |
Cobra box office collection dropped sharply after Day 1 due to mixed audience feedback and long runtime criticism.
Week-wise Box Office Report
| Week | India Nett Collection |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | ₹62.4 crore |
| Week 2 | ₹11.5 crore |
| Week 3 | ₹3.2 crore |
| Total | ₹77.1 crore |
The film failed to maintain momentum beyond the opening week.
Worldwide Box Office Collection (India + Overseas)
| Region | Collection |
|---|---|
| India Nett | ₹77.1 crore |
| India Gross | ₹91 crore |
| Overseas Gross | ₹32 crore |
| Worldwide Gross | ₹123 crore |
Cobra worldwide collection crossed ₹120 crore, mainly supported by overseas Tamil audiences.
Domestic Nett & Gross Collection
- India Nett: ₹77.1 crore
- India Gross: ₹91 crore
- Entertainment tax & GST impacted final distributor shares
Hit or Flop Verdict (With Explanation)
Cobra Hit or Flop?
❌ Verdict: FLOP
Reason:
- Budget: ₹105–110 crore
- Worldwide Gross: ~₹123 crore
- Distributor share failed to recover full costs
Despite decent worldwide numbers, Cobra required much higher theatrical returns to break even.
For comparison, movies like 👉 [KKBKKJ Box Office Collection] performed better in recovery despite mixed reviews.
Screen Count & Occupancy Report
- India Screens: ~4,000
- Tamil Nadu Occupancy (Day 1): 65–70%
- Weekday Occupancy: Dropped below 25%
- Multiplex response: Below average
Cast, Crew & Production Details
Main Cast:
- Chiyaan Vikram
- Srinidhi Shetty
- Irfan Pathan
- Roshan Mathew
- Miya George
Crew:
- Director: R. Ajay Gnanamuthu
- Music: A. R. Rahman
- Cinematography: Harish Kannan
- Producer: Seven Screen Studio
Trailer Response & Audience Review
- Trailer views crossed 30 million across platforms
- Initial audience response praised:
- Vikram’s performance
- Background score
- Criticism included:
- Confusing screenplay
- Excessive runtime
Critical Reception (Critics Ratings Summary)
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
| Times of India | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| India Today | ⭐⭐½ |
| Film Companion | ⭐⭐ |
| Average Rating | 2.5 / 5 |
Critics agreed Cobra had ambition but lacked execution clarity.
Comparison With Similar Movies
| Movie | Budget | Worldwide | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cobra | ₹110 cr | ₹123 cr | Flop |
| Vikram | ₹120 cr | ₹430 cr | Blockbuster |
| I | ₹100 cr | ₹240 cr | Average |
Future Box Office Prediction
- No major revival expected via re-release
- OTT and satellite rights helped reduce losses
- Long-term recovery mainly through digital platforms
Final Thoughts
Cobra box office collection clearly reflects the importance of strong storytelling along with star power. While Chiyaan Vikram delivered a committed performance, weak word-of-mouth and narrative complexity limited the film’s box office potential. Despite a strong opening, Cobra failed to sustain momentum and ended its theatrical run below expectations.
FAQs
Q1. What is Cobra’s total box office collection?
Cobra earned approximately ₹123 crore worldwide.
Q2. What was Cobra Day 1 collection?
Cobra Day 1 collection was around ₹20.5 crore India nett.
Q3. Is Cobra a hit or flop?
Cobra is officially declared a flop.
Q4. What is Cobra movie budget?
The total budget of Cobra was around ₹105–110 crore.
Q5. How did Cobra perform overseas?
Cobra performed moderately overseas with ₹32 crore gross.
