'Ethir Neechal' spells profit for Dhanush

Dhanush's production venture "Ethir Neechal" raked in approximately Rs.4 crore on its release day in Tamil Nadu despite getting mixed reviews.

Said to be made on a budget of Rs.9 crore, Sivakarthikeyan-starrer Tamil romantic-drama hit the screens May 1.

"The film released in over 300 screens in Tamil Nadu and collected approximately Rs. 4 crore on the first day," said a statement from the production house.

Directed by R. Durai Senthil Kumar, "Ethir Neechal" has music by Anirudh Ravichander.

The makers are now planning to release the film in other states such as Karnataka and Kerala.

The film also features Priya Anand, Nandita, Jayaprakash, Ravi Kumar, Manobala and Dhanush with Nayantara in a special song.

Although the film got mixed reviews, but it has picked up at the box box office, thanks to positive word of mouth.

"Sivakarthikeyan has become an overnight star since his debut film 'Marina'. The audiences love him for his comedy and wholesome entertainment, and that's precisely why his films are a hit amongst masses," Trinath, trade analyst, told IANS.

"His films generate revenue from B and C class centres. Even his film 'Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga' was not a multiplex hit, but it did good business in smaller towns of Tamil Nadu," he added.

This is the second hit for Sivakarthikeyan in a row. His recently released low-budget film "Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga" (KBKR) raked in approximately Rs.7 crore in Tamil Nadu in the opening week.