2018 becomes fastest Malayalam movie to gross Rs 100 Cr at box office, breaks Lucifer record; aims at Pulimurugan next

There’s no stopping director Jude Anthany Joseph’s 2018! The multi-starrer, based on the 2018 Kerala floods, has crossed another milestone in the Malayalam film industry by becoming the fastest to gross Rs 100 crore at the worldwide box office.

The film, which has Tovino Thomas, Kunchacko Boban, Asif Ali and Lal as part of its cast, achieved the milestone in just its 11th day after the release, breaking the previous record set by Prithviraj Sukumaran and Mohanlal’s Lucifer – which had grossed Rs 100 Cr in 14 days.

Also read: Tovino Thomas: 2018 could help other Malayalam movies with universal appeal perform well on a pan-Indian level 

2018 is also the first Malayalam movie to achieve this feat, post pandemic, and also the lone non-Mohanlal movie in this elite club. As per trade analysts, the film grossed about Rs 44 Cr from Kerala since its release and Rs 56 Cr from other states and abroad, with the bulk of the box office revenue coming in from GCC. In the UAE, the film has already become third highest grosser with about Rs 23 Cr.

The makers also placed ads on various media outlets in Kerala, thanking the audience for helping achieve the feat. The film’s co-producer Venu Kunnappilly, in a recent interview, had said that no matter the hype or marketing any film has going for it, in terms of its box office numbers, unless the people show up to watch the movie in theatres, it won’t become a blockbuster.

Also read: 2018 director Jude Anthany Joseph: The whole script was written by the people of Kerala during the floods 

2018 will next be gunning for the all-time highest box-office earner records in Malayalam. Currently, only Mohanlal’s Pulimurugan and Lucifer, which earned Rs 140Cr and Rs 120Cr stand in its way. Considering the ticket sales, even on its 11th day, 2018 is expected to overtake both these films. The film’s producer Venu had also confirmed that 2018 will be releasing on Sony LIV after three weeks, guaranteeing a solid run at least till June first week.

Meanwhile, Jude took to his social media page to thank the audience. “More than entering the Rs 100 Cr club, my happiness is in this movie entering the hearts of 3.5 Cr Malayalis. This is the victory of us, ordinary people,” he wrote.