Vijay’s ‘GOAT’ roars into theatres: Massive hype, record-breaking screenings across Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Tamil superstar ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay’s latest film, GOAT, has been greeted with tremendous enthusiasm worldwide. The film's director, Venkat Prabhu, and actor Prabhudeva attended a screening in Chennai, marking the movie’s release.

To accommodate the high demand, the Tamil Nadu government has authorised AGS Entertainment Private Limited, the producers of GOAT, to host special screenings at 9 am in all cinema halls across the state on Thursday, September 5, 2024, and Friday, September 6, 2024. Typically, theatres in Tamil Nadu show films four times a day, but for these two days, they will screen GOAT five times, with the last show ending at 2 am.

The state government, in a GO on Wednesday evening, said: "All cinema theatres can screen only one special show. The opening show will start at 9 a.m. and the last show will end at 2 a.m. in relaxation of conditions 14 and 14A of Form C licence subject to the condition that the licensees should intimate the licensing authorities and other tax levying authorities.”

GOAT features a star-studded cast including Vijay, Prabhudeva, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Prashanth, Laila, Sneha, Ajmal, Mohan, Jayaram, Vaibhav, Premji, and Aravind Akash. The film’s music is composed by Yuvanshankar Raja.

Fans celebrated the film's release by bursting crackers outside theatres in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh. Many theatres also displayed large cut-outs of Vijay and offered milk to these effigies. Inside Chennai’s Kashi Theatre, fans were seen dancing with joy.

The film's producers are anticipating a first-day box office collection of Rs 100 crore. Vijay’s contemporary, Tamil superstar ‘Thala’ Ajith, and renowned director Atlee have both extended their congratulations to the team behind GOAT.

In the film, Vijay plays a retired RAW agent who, after retiring to a peaceful life with his family, finds himself pulled back into action due to threats from past enemies. The movie promises suspenseful twists, and Venkat Prabhu has urged fans to keep the film’s secrets.

GOAT marks Vijay’s first movie release since he launched his political party, Thamaizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Vijay has announced that his party will contest in the 2026 Assembly elections and has already unveiled its party flag.

The Vijay fan club boasts over 1 million members. In recent local body elections, his supporters won 131 seats, while established parties like Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) failed to secure any seats.

Agencies