The battle began 10 January. On the same day, Rajinikanth's Petta and Ajith starrer Viswasam hit the screens. All action began with early morning shows and almost all cinema halls gave equal number of screens for the film. Four days have gone since the release and today both the films managed good positive reviews and word of mouth. But a closer look reveals various details about the way people have received the films.
Trade analysts say Rajinikanth's Petta put up a great show not just in Chennai but in overseas market. It piped not just Viswasam in USA, UK, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore. In USA, Petta emerged the big bet garnering maximum audience. However Viswasam was hailed as a family drama and the emotional quotient they say appeal to family crowd as a result it did open huge in B and C Centres in Tamilnadu. The movie did put up some good numbers in the first weekend.

However reports from industry circle now say that Petta has gained foot strong in Chennai and also in several screens in B and C centres it is slowly replacing screens playing Viswasam,  beginning today. The likes of Mayajaal and few other single screens where Petta have increased show count of Petta. Interestingly both the movies have managed to make good money. But since this morning, the response to Petta has been steady.  Sources say that with a long holiday ahead, the battle will get bigger.

Petta stars Rajinikanth, Simran, Trisha, Vijay Sethupathi, Nazwazzudin Siddqui, Bobby Simha among others. Directed by Kartthik Subbaraj, it has music by Anirudh.
Viswasam has Nayanthara, Jagapathy Babu, Vivek, Robo Shankar among others besides Ajith, A Siruthai Siva directorial, it has music by D Imman.