Known for blending mass commercial elements, high-octane emotional drama and strong technical values, filmmaker Atlee has delivered back-to-back hits across Kollywood and Bollywood. He has brought together emotion, family, romance, action and spectacle in his films.
5 Highest-Grossing Movies Of Filmmaker Atlee
From his 2013 debut Raja Rani to Theri, Mersal, Bigil and Jawan, his movies have grown in scale while keeping an emotional core. Here is a look at his five highest-grossing movies worldwide, based on verified trade and box-office reports.
| Movie | Worldwide Gross |
| Raja Rani (2013) | ₹56 Crore |
| Theri (2016) | ₹153 Crore |
| Mersal (2017) | ₹257 Crore |
| Bigil (2019) | ₹304 Crore |
| Jawan (2023) | ₹1,160 Crore |
1. Raja Rani (2013)
John and Regina, who dislike each other, are forced to get married and lead troubled lives. However, things take a turn when the couple suffers a sudden tragedy.
According to IMDb, the Tamil movie made on a budget of ₹20 crore grossed ₹56 crore worldwide and was declared a superhit.
2. Theri (2016)
When his daughter’s life is threatened by a local gang, Joseph Kuruvilla decides to protect her at any cost. His dangerous past soon comes back to haunt him.
The film stars Joseph Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Amy Jackson.
According to IMDb, the 2-hour-37-minute Tamil film was made on a reported budget of ₹75 crore. It grossed ₹153 crore worldwide.
3. Mersal (2017)
A police officer arrests a doctor for crimes against medical professionals. He later discovers the real story behind the case. The film combines revenge, corruption and magic.
Joseph Vijay, Nithya Menen and S.J. Suryah play key roles.
Made on a reported budget of ₹120 crore, Mersal grossed ₹257 crore worldwide. It was declared a superhit.
4. Bigil (2019)
Michael gives up his dream of becoming a footballer after his father is murdered. He later agrees to coach a women’s football team and gets a chance to change his life.
The film stars Joseph Vijay, Nayanthara and Jackie Shroff in key roles.
Made on a reported budget of ₹180 crore, Bigil grossed ₹304 crore worldwide.
5. Jawan (2023)
A prison warden recruits inmates to carry out a series of crimes. The plan brings attention to corruption and injustice and eventually leads to an unexpected reunion.
Shah Rukh Khan leads the film, which also stars Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, Sanya Malhotra and Priyamani.
According to Sacnilk, Jawan collected ₹1,160 crore worldwide, including ₹760 crore in India and ₹400 crore overseas. Its India net collection stood at ₹640.25 crore across 404,637 shows.
Raja Rani explored love, loss and second chances. Theri, Mersal and Bigil placed family relationships at the centre of their stories. With Jawan, Atlee expanded that canvas to themes of motherhood, justice and collective purpose, blending them with large-scale action and spectacle.
| Milestone | Box Office Record |
| Top Grosser | ₹1,160 Crore (Jawan) |
| 1000+ Cr | 1 Film |
| 500+ Cr | 2 Films |
| 200+ Cr | 2 Films |
| 100+ Cr | 2 Films |
ALSO READ - Shah Rukh Khan Likely To Make Cameo In Allu Arjun X Atlee's Raaka | Report
Atlee's Upcoming Movie
After working with Vijay and Shah Rukh Khan, Atlee is now exploring a new genre with Raaka. The filmmaker is entering the sci-fi space with Allu Arjun in the lead. It marks the first collaboration between the actor and the filmmaker.
Allu Arjun is reportedly set to play four roles in the film. He is said to portray a grandfather, a father and two sons. There is also speculation that the story may involve two parallel universes. However, the makers have not confirmed these details yet.
The cast also includes Deepika Padukone, Rashmika Mandanna, Janhvi Kapoor and Mrunal Thakur in key roles. The sci-fi action drama is produced by Sun Pictures.
FAQ
1. Who is Atlee, and what was his debut film?
Atlee is an Indian filmmaker known for mass entertainers. He made his directorial debut with the Tamil film Raja Rani in 2013, which earned him the Best Debut Director award at the Vijay Awards.
2. Why is Jawan movie significant for Atlee?
Jawan, starring Shah Rukh Khan, marked Atlee's debut in Hindi cinema. The film went on to become one of the highest-grossing Indian films, and it also won Shah Rukh Khan his first National Award for Best Actor.
3. What is Atlee's upcoming film Raaka about?
Raaka stars Allu Arjun and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles, with Rashmika Mandanna also part of the cast. It's a big-budget sci-fi film, marking the first collaboration between Atlee and Allu Arjun.