Dhanush's latest film, Raayan, has achieved a significant milestone by crossing the ₹100 crore gross mark within its first week of release. This accomplishment sets a new record for Dhanush among Tier 2 heroes, surpassing the lifetime collections of stars like Siva Karthikeyan. Despite the film's routine storyline, its relatable emotions and drama have resonated well with audiences, providing a much-needed success in Tamil cinema, which has seen a lull this year.

However, Raayan has faced challenges in the Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, as well as in Karnataka. While the film performed well in Kerala, it struggled to make a significant impact in the Telugu markets. The gangster drama genre, which Raayan represents, is familiar to Telugu audiences, and the film's mixed reviews have not helped its cause. Despite a good start due to limited competition, the film's momentum has slowed, impacting its overall performance.

The film's underwhelming performance in Telugu markets can be attributed to its content not measuring up to the standards set by Dhanush's previous hits like Raghuvaran BTech and Sir. The lower break-even target was not sufficient to prevent potential losses for distributors, and the film has not met the high expectations set by its initial success.

On a positive note, Sundeep Kishan, who played a key role in Raayan, has seen a significant boost in his career due to his well-received performance. The success of his role in the film has led to increased offers from Kollywood, marking a notable advancement in his career.