The Malayalam action-comedy ‘Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies’ has opened to a promising start at the domestic box office. As per industry tracker Sacnilk, the film, starring Arjun Ashokan and Roshan Mathew, collected an estimated ₹3.30 crore India net on its first day of release. This initial figure reflects a steady, if not explosive, opening for a film banking heavily on mass entertainment and high-energy wrestling-themed action.
A closer look at the theatre occupancy reveals a story of growing audience interest through the day. The overall Malayalam occupancy for Thursday stood at 42.42%, with morning and afternoon shows recording around 32-33%. However, the film saw a significant jump as the day progressed, with evening shows climbing to 40.80% and night shows surging to an impressive 64.01%. This upward trend suggests strong word-of-mouth and indicates that the film’s cinematic spectacle and wrestling sequences are drawing crowds looking for a theatrical experience.
Initial reactions on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) paint a picture of divided but engaged audiences. While many viewers praised the film as a “technical treat” with superb action, visuals, and background score, several criticized its weak screenplay and lack of emotional depth. A recurring highlight in discussions is the much-talked-about cameo by Mammootty as ‘Walter’, though opinions vary on its execution. This blend of appreciation for style and critique of substance is shaping the early conversation around the film’s reception.
With a decent opening day collection and a clear surge in night-show occupancy, ‘Chatha Pacha’ has laid a foundation for its crucial first weekend. Directed by Adwaith Nayar, the film’s focus on WWE-inspired wrestling and mass appeal appears to be connecting with a segment of the audience, especially younger viewers. The coming days will determine if the film can maintain this momentum and leverage its big-screen energy to achieve a sustainable box office run, or if the mixed word-of-mouth will curb its growth.