7 Screen Studio, producers of Vijay starrer Leo have officially announced the film's worldwide box-office collections in the past 12 days. Leo has grossed Rs. 540 Cr+ since its release on October 19, 2023, after raking in Rs. 461+ Cr (also announced by 7 Screen Studio) in the first 7 days. 

The opening week Leo box-office sparked a huge debate after the president of Tamil Nadu Theater Owner and Multiplex Association President disputed its authenticity. Leo producer Lalit Kumar counter disputed Tiruppur Subramaniam's claims, stating that he had no necessity to fake box-office numbers. 

Fireproof Box Office Records🔥 There's nothing you can do😁

540+ Crores gross collection in just 12 Days 🦁#Leo Worldwide Badass Box Office Sambavam ❤️‍🔥#LeoIndustryHit#Thalapathy @actorvijay sir @Dir_Lokesh @trishtrashers @anirudhofficial @duttsanjay @akarjunofficial… pic.twitter.com/L3gRnU6jRm

— Seven Screen Studio (@7screenstudio) October 31, 2023

Leo director Lokesh Kanagaraj who usually maintains that he isn't 'bothered about numbers', was also dragged by a section for tweeting out the box-office claims, and congratulating his film's producers. In a recent YouTube interview with Cinema Express, director Lokesh addressed the Leo box-office row, and the criticisms coming his way. The filmmaker said, 

"I have a big shock and surprise value about this (box-office fixation of those who aren't stakeholders). If negative reviews come for a movie, any film will drop from day 2...slowly within 3-4 days, it will fade away (from theaters)...If I (as director) check numbers, it is because its still in my contract to earn money for the producer so I have to see if the film has made profits...

..Only three people have to be the most concerned about box-office numbers - the producer, distributor and theater owners..But when people (other than these three entities) say the film hasn't done such and such numbers, I do not understand the involvement...

 

..I was asked why I was sharing box-office if I am not concerned about numbers. It is for my producer's happiness. I am asked to do this...As far as box-office authenticity is concerned, I think the IT (Income Tax) department is noting everything.

 

Everyone is answerable to them from my point of view..If someone is openly claiming that their movie has earned Rs. 700 Cr, then they cannot escape easily if the IT department comes tomorrow and asks for proof. If we have these many thoughts, I believe they (the producers) will take all this into account and only then publish numbers."