‘Mankatha’ Re-Release Reactions:’Thala’ Ajith Kumar Fans Erupt in Theatres As Venkat Prabhu’s Iconic Action Thriller Returns to Big Screens
Ajith Kumar’s milestone 50th film and one of the most iconic movies of his career, 'Mankatha', originally released in 2011, returned to theatres on January 23, 2026. The action thriller, directed by Venkat Prabhu, also stars Trisha Krishnan in a key role. As the film makes its way back to the big screen, ‘Thala’ fans are going wild inside theatres. Check out their reactions!
More than a decade after its original debut, Ajith Kumar’s landmark 50th film, Mankatha, returned to cinemas on Friday, January 23, 2026, triggering a wave of nostalgia and celebration across South India. The re-release of the 2011 heist thriller has seen fans flocking to theatres in record numbers, transforming standard screenings into high-energy events marked by chanting, dancing, and traditional fan tributes. Ajith Kumar’s Racing Journey to Inspire Youth: Docu-Film Directed by A L Vijay to Release on His Birthday.
A Festive Atmosphere Inside Cinema Halls
From early morning First Day First Show screenings, the atmosphere inside major hubs like Chennai’s Rohini Silver Screens and Kasi Theatre was described by attendees as "electric." Social media has been flooded with viral clips showing fans erupting in cheers during Ajith’s iconic introduction scene as the anti-hero Vinayak Mahadev.
The celebrations extended beyond vocal support. In several locations, fans were seen throwing confetti, dancing in the aisles to Yuvan Shankar Raja’s popular soundtrack, and performing milk abhishekam a traditional ritual of pouring milk over the actor’s posters. In a unique twist reflecting the modern era, some fans even used soft drinks for similar celebratory anointments outside the theatre gates.
Fans Celebrate ‘Mankatha’ Re-Release Inside Theatres
Thala Ajith Fans Go Wild During 'Mankatha' Screening
'Mankatha' Re-Release Kerala Response
'Mankatha' FDFS Reactions
'Mankatha' Craze
'Mankatha' Dominates Re-Release Box Office
The film’s return is proving to be a commercial success as well as a cultural one. Trade analysts report that Mankatha has rewritten re-release records, with Day 1 advance bookings in Tamil Nadu alone crossing INR 2 crore.
The Thala Factor has also made a significant impact in Bengaluru, where pre-sales surpassed those of several other classic re-runs. This surge in ticket sales comes during a brief lull in major new releases, allowing the "King of Opening" to once again dominate the theatrical window.
Industry Support and Nostalgia
The re-release has garnered support from the film’s original crew and other industry figures. Director Venkat Prabhu shared an emotional post on social media, recalling the filming process and celebrating the movie's enduring legacy. Prabhu, along with cast members like Premgi Amaren and Vaibhav, joined fans at Kamala Cinemas in Chennai to witness the reaction firsthand. Ajith Kumar’s Heartwarming Temple Moment With Wife Shalini Wins the Internet, Fans Call It Pure Love (Watch Video).
Adhik Ravichandran, director of Ajith’s upcoming film Good Bad Ugly, was also spotted among the crowds, further highlighting the industry's respect for the 2011 cult classic.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 23, 2026 06:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).