Kaththi

In Kolkata, Kathiresan "Kathir" is a prisoner who helps the police capture an escaping prisoner, Vivek Banerjee, but escapes afterwards. In Chennai, Kathir plans to run away to Bangkok with his friend Ravi. However, he drops this plan after falling in love with Ankitha. Later, Kathir and Ravi notice thugs shooting Jeevanandham "Jeeva", who resembles Kathir. They admit him to a hospital, and Kathir decides to impersonate Jeeva to avoid the police. Under Jeeva's name, Kathir and Ravi enter a retirement home run by Jeeva, planning to steal {{INRConvert|25|l|year=2014}} for their Bangkok trip until Kathir learns about Jeeva's mission.

Jeeva was a communist ideologue and post-graduate in hydrology from the arid village of Thanoothu in Tirunelveli district who had discovered groundwater under some lands of the hamlet. The villagers could use the water as an irrigation source for the entire Tirunelveli district and the neighbouring Thoothukudi district. However, a greedy entrepreneur, Shirag, tricked the villagers into giving their lands for factory construction. Jeeva got arrested, and six villagers committed suicide to bring this news to the forefront of the media and get Jeeva released.

Moved by Jeeva's past, Kathir takes up the cause for the villagers while still posing as Jeeva. The people of the retirement home and Kathir go to the jury to convince them in their favour, but Kathir starts stating rules and scares the main jury person (whom Shirag had bribed). Kathir then sends a person disguised as a hairdresser to Shirag and makes him lay a fingerprint on Shirag's neck. After that, Shirag sends fifty men to kill Kathir, but he defeats them. Meanwhile, Jeeva finds himself in the Kolkata prison. With the help of Vivek, who has heard his story and plans to kill Kathir, he escapes with Vivek's henchmen. Unaware that Jeeva is heading for Chennai with Vivek's henchmen, Kathir attempts to convince the media to bring the villagers' plight to national consciousness.

A few days later, at the Madras High Court, the judge declares the verdict in favour of Jeeva and the villagers but adds that Shirag has claimed that certain villagers working abroad have shown their support for the factory. If they cannot prove that Shirag faked their support within the next five days, the verdict will go in Shirag's favour. Since the villagers who have denied supporting the factory are abroad and cannot come to Chennai so soon to rebut Shirag's claims, Kathir decides to take drastic measures to sensationalise the issue. He, Ankitha, Ravi, and the retirement home inmates block the water supply to Chennai by sitting on the pipelines. A few days after the plight of the Chennai people gained national attention, Kathir emerges and highlights the villagers' plight to the media. His speech is broadcast nationwide.

Kathir discovers that Jeeva has escaped and is searching for him. Meanwhile, Jeeva and Vivek's henchmen reach Chennai, but Shirag's henchmen kidnap Jeeva. While in Shirag's custody, he sees Kathir's speech on television and feels moved by his efforts to help the villagers. On the eve before the verdict, a phone call exposes Kathir's bluff, but Kathir promises the villagers that he will surely help them. He tells them that Jeeva is alive and will rescue him from Shirag. Kathir goes to Shirag's office, rescues Jeeva, and kills Shirag.

The next day, the judge declares the verdict in favour of Jeeva and the villagers. Despite the success, Kathir does not take part in the ensuing celebrations. Instead, he surrenders to the police after promising Ankitha, who has fallen in love with him, that he will marry her once he is released.

{{cast listing|

• Vijay in a dual role as:
• Kathiresan
• Jeevanantham
• Samantha Ruth Prabhu as Ankitha
• Neil Nitin Mukesh as Shirag{{Cite web|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/reviews/film-review-kaththi/articleshow/44919171.cms|title=Film Review: Kaththi|work=Bangalore Mirror|date=23 October 2014|access-date=23 October 2024|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20241204131201/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/reviews/film-review-kaththi/articleshow/44919171.cms|archivedate=4 December 2024|url-status=live}}
• Tota Roy Chowdhury as Vivek Banerjee
• Sathish as Ravi
• Sudip Mukherjee as Kolkata Police Inspector
• Raneesh Thiyagarajan as Jeevanantham's lawyer
• Rama as Jeeva's mother{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/actress-rama-on-being-back-on-the-sets-after-20odd-years/article6611501.ece |title=Second coming |first=Subha J.|last=Rao |work=The Hindu |date=18 November 2014 |access-date=24 May 2015 |archive-date=27 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127154832/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/actress-rama-on-being-back-on-the-sets-after-20odd-years/article6611501.ece? |url-status=live }}
• Jeeva Ravi as the collector{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/on-a-different-pitch/article6442150.ece|title=On a different pitch|date=24 September 2014|publisher=thehindu.com|access-date=1 June 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|last1=Ramanujam|first1=Srinivasa|archive-date=5 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205133207/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/on-a-different-pitch/article6442150.ece|url-status=live}}
• Anu Krishna as Jeevanantham's sister{{Cite web|url=https://tamil.abplive.com/news/india/actress-anu-krishna-said-as-many-people-asked-me-for-adjustment-119847|title=Actress Anu Krishna :என்கிட்டயும் அட்ஜஸ்ட்மெண்ட் கேட்டாங்க.. அனு கிருஷ்ணா ஓப்பன் டாக்...|trans-title=Actress Anu Krishna : They also asked me for adjustment.. Anu Krishna Open Talk...|author=Sasikala|work=ABP Nadu|date=27 May 2023|language=ta|access-date=23 October 2024|archive-date=19 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119235446/https://tamil.abplive.com/news/india/actress-anu-krishna-said-as-many-people-asked-me-for-adjustment-119847|url-status=live}}
• Ravi Venkatraman as a police officer
• Tamiko Brownlee as Jennifer{{Cite web|url=https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/kaththi/umc.cmc.3aoc94rv5t2tb5gztpnynu489|title=Kaththi|work=Apple TV|date=2014|access-date=23 October 2024|archive-date=30 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930110605/https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/kaththi/umc.cmc.3aoc94rv5t2tb5gztpnynu489|url-status=live}}
• Elisabeth P. Carpenter as Katherine
• Nalinikanth as an old villager
• Veera Santhanam as an old villager{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/140717/artist-activist-veera-santhanam-passes-away.html|title=Artist-activist Veera Santhanam passes away|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=14 July 2017|access-date=23 October 2024|archive-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713041018/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/140717/artist-activist-veera-santhanam-passes-away.html|url-status=live}}
• Chelladurai as an old villager{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/todays-paper/regional01/665728-.html|title='கத்தி', 'தெறி' உள்ளிட்ட பல படங்களில் நடித்த - குணச்சித்திர நடிகர் செல்லதுரை காலமானார்|trans-title=Character actor Chelladurai who acted in many films including Kaththi, Theri passed away |work=Hindu Tamil Thisai|date=1 May 2021|access-date=23 October 2024|language=ta}}
• Udayabhanu as Periyasaamy{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/seventy-six-and-still-a-charmer/article17730295.ece|title=Sizzling in his seventies|first=Parshathy J.|last=Nath|work=The Hindu|date=29 March 2017|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329133911/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/seventy-six-and-still-a-charmer/article17730295.ece|archive-date=29 March 2017}}
• RJ Sha as himself
• Kovai Babu as a journalist
• Baby Yuvina as Ankitha's niece
• Vinod Sagar as Shanmugam
• Chu Koy Sheng as barber from Tony & Guys' Salon

}}

In February 2013, director AR Murugadoss confirmed that he would collaborate with actor Vijay again, after the success of their Thuppakki (2012).{{Cite news |date=27 February 2013 |title=Vijay, Murugadoss team up again |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-murugadoss-team-up-again/articleshow/18705725.cms |access-date=2024-12-04 |work=The Times of India}} By that July, the scripting was in its final stage, and filming was planned to begin in late-2013, after Vijay completing the shooting for Jilla, and Murugadoss' completion on the Hindi remake of Thuppakki, titled Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty (2014).{{Cite web |date=13 July 2013 |title=Vijay, Murugadoss to team up again in 2014 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2013/jul/13/vijay-murugadoss-to-team-up-again-in-2014-496390.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427070725/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2013/jul/13/vijay-murugadoss-to-team-up-again-in-2014-496390.html |archive-date=27 April 2024 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=The New Indian Express |agency=IANS}}

The project was officially confirmed by Murugadoss on mid-November 2013, through his Twitter page.{{Cite news |last=Ramesh, Deepika |date=15 November 2013 |title=Murugadoss teams up with actor Vijay again |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/131115/entertainment-kollywood/article/murugadoss-teams-actor-vijay-again |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924041326/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/131115/entertainment-kollywood/article/murugadoss-teams-actor-vijay-again |archive-date=24 September 2014 |access-date=15 November 2013 |work=Deccan Chronicle}}{{Cite web |date=14 November 2013 |title=AR Murugadoss, Vijay to team up again |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ar-murugadoss-vijay-to-team-up-again/434130-71-180.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924045201/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ar-murugadoss-vijay-to-team-up-again/434130-71-180.html |archive-date=24 September 2014 |access-date=14 November 2013 |website=IBN Live}} Subaskaran Allirajah, a British-Sri Lankan based Tamil entrepreneur, agreed to become the major investor in the film, by producing it under his newly backed film distribution and production company Lyca Productions. The film eventually became the first production of the company,{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}} with Ayngaran International co-producing.{{Cite web |date=21 January 2014 |title=Vijay & ARM project to start rolling from Feb |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/Vijay-arm-project-to-start-rolling-from-feb-news-tamil-obvj5yjbcjb.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925093154/http://www.sify.com/movies/vijay-arm-project-to-start-rolling-from-feb-news-tamil-obvj5yjbcjb.html |archive-date=25 September 2014 |access-date=21 January 2014 |website=Sify}}

Murugadoss replaced his usual music composer Harris Jayaraj with Anirudh Ravichander signing for the project.{{Cite news |date=2013-05-20 |title=Murugadoss opts for Anirudh over Harris |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/murugadoss-opts-for-anirudh-over-harris/articleshow/20146683.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906074346/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/murugadoss-opts-for-anirudh-over-harris/articleshow/20146683.cms |archive-date=2015-09-06 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India}}{{Cite news |date=2013-05-31 |title=Anirudh to begin composing for Vijay's next |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/anirudh-to-begin-composing-for-vijays-next/articleshow/20363711.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203144728/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/anirudh-to-begin-composing-for-vijays-next/articleshow/20363711.cms |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India}} George C. Williams, who worked on the director's production Raja Rani (2013), was signed as the cinematographer.{{Cite news |last=Naig, Udhav |date=4 February 2014 |title=Shotcuts: Sweet crime |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/shotcuts-sweet-crime/article5652704.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=4 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222015731/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/shotcuts-sweet-crime/article5652704.ece |archive-date=22 February 2014}} Art director Lalgudi N. Ilayaraja was selected to handle the production design. The film was earlier rumoured to be titled as Dheeran and Vaal.{{Cite news |date=2014-02-19 |title=Is Dheeran the title of Vijay's next? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/is-dheeran-the-title-of-vijays-next/articleshow/30676409.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203150353/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/is-dheeran-the-title-of-vijays-next/articleshow/30676409.cms |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India}}{{Cite news |date=27 March 2014 |title=Vijay's Next Goes from 'Vaal' to 'Kaththi'! |work=The New Indian Express |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Vijays-Next-Goes-from-Vaal-to-Kaththi/2014/03/27/article2132512.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=23 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114740/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Vijays-Next-Goes-from-Vaal-to-Kaththi/2014/03/27/article2132512.ece |archive-date=26 August 2014}} However, in March 2014, Murugadoss confirmed that the film would be titled Kaththi and that it was scheduled to be released on Diwali.{{Cite news |date=2014-03-27 |title=Murugadoss' Deepavali release titled Kaththi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/murugadoss-deepavali-release-titled-kaththi/article5840794.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331011553/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/murugadoss-deepavali-release-titled-kaththi/article5840794.ece |archive-date=2014-03-31 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN}} In June 2014, Murugadoss speaking in an interview, dismissed claims of being a gangster film, and Vijay playing father-son role in the film, and added that the film will be set in Chennai.{{Cite web |date=26 June 2014 |title=AR Murugadoss opens up on 'Kaththi' |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/ar-murugadoss-opens-up-on-kaththi-news-tamil-og0kexdigdiaa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626104035/http://www.sify.com/movies/ar-murugadoss-opens-up-on-kaththi-news-tamil-og0kexdigdiaa.html |archive-date=26 June 2014 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Sify |language=en}}

{{Quote box

| quote="There is a tendency for any villain to go over the top while playing a baddie. I have avoided that in Kaththi. I wanted to ensure my character doesn't go overboard and only appear as someone who is bad by nature and not by looks [...] Another thing audiences will find in my character is that I won't come across as a usual south Indian villain. Thanks to my stylist Rupali, I've been made as stylish as Brad Pitt and David Beckham. Since I play a foreign-returned character, I wanted to look like I belong there."

| source = — Neil Nitin Mukesh about his role in Kaththi.{{Cite web |date=2014-07-30 |title=I don't play over-the-top villain in 'Kaththi': Neil Nitin Mukesh |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/i-dont-play-over-the-top-villain-in-kaththi-neil-nitin-mukesh/ |access-date=2022-02-08 |website=The Indian Express |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208133632/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/i-dont-play-over-the-top-villain-in-kaththi-neil-nitin-mukesh/ |url-status=live }}

| align = right

| width = 30%

}}Murugadoss stated that Vijay will play dual roles in the film, and his character names were revealed as Kathiresan and Jeevanantham. In September 2013, even before the film was officially announced, Samantha Ruth Prabhu was reportedly selected as the female lead in September 2013.{{Cite web |date=27 September 2013 |title=Samantha to work with Vijay in Murugadoss' next |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/samantha-to-work-with-vijay-in-murugadoss-next/424925-71-180.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008013629/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/samantha-to-work-with-vijay-in-murugadoss-next/424925-71-180.html |archive-date=8 October 2014 |access-date=6 March 2014 |website=IBN Live}} Speaking about her role in the film, Murugadoss stated that "Samantha has exceeded my expectations for the role [...] She always carries a smiling face and bring a lot of energy on the sets and has added more flavor to every scene."

Bengali actor Tota Roy Chowdhury was signed for an antagonistic role in February 2014.{{Cite news |last=Sen |first=Zinia |date=11 February 2014 |title=Tota Roy is Vijay's villain |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Tota-Roy-is-Vijays-villain/articleshow/30163495.cms |url-status=live |access-date=11 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314145751/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news-interviews/Tota-Roy-is-Vijays-villain/articleshow/30163495.cms |archive-date=14 March 2014}} In March 2014, Neil Nitin Mukesh was selected to play the main antagonist, making his debut in Tamil cinema.{{Cite news |date=15 March 2014 |title=Neil Nitin Mukesh to make Tamil debut |work=Hindustan Times |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/chunk-ht-ui-punjabsectionpage-dontmiss/neil-nitin-mukesh-to-make-tamil-debut-as-a-villain/article1-1195434.aspx |url-status=dead |access-date=15 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006084809/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/chunk-ht-ui-punjabsectionpage-dontmiss/neil-nitin-mukesh-to-make-tamil-debut-as-a-villain/article1-1195434.aspx |archive-date=6 October 2014}} Neil was inspired by his look in his debut film, Johnny Gaddaar (2007). He described his character as one who does not "fight the hero with physical power, but with intelligence".{{Cite news |date=15 July 2014 |title='Johnny Gaddaar' inspires Vijay's Villain |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/johnny-gaddar-inspires-vijays-villain-161644.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907225625/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Johnny-Gaddar-inspires-Vijays-villain/articleshow/38414213.cms |archive-date=7 September 2014 |access-date=5 August 2014 |work=Indiatimes}} He learned Tamil for his role, as he did not want to speak his dialogues without understanding their meaning.{{Cite news |date=30 July 2014 |title='My efforts to learn Tamil for 'Kaththi' came as shock to Vijay' |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/my-efforts-to-learn-tamil-for-kaththi-came-as-shock-to-Vijay/article6264011.ece |access-date=17 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915043007/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/my-efforts-to-learn-tamil-for-kaththi-came-as-shock-to-Vijay/article6264011.ece |archive-date=15 September 2014}} Neil had lost weight for the role and modelled his looks to be along the lines of the American actor Brad Pitt and the English footballer David Beckham.{{Cite news |date=30 July 2014 |title=Villain like Brad Pitt and David Beckham for Vijay |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Villain-like-Brad-Pitt-and-David-Beckham-for-Vijay/articleshow/39292804.cms |url-status=dead |access-date=18 August 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140818144237/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Villain-like-Brad-Pitt-and-David-Beckham-for-Vijay/articleshow/39292804.cms |archive-date=18 August 2014}}

The film was launched in Kolkata on 3 February 2014 by Lyca Productions with a pooja ceremony in front of the Kalighat Kali Temple, after which principal photography began.{{Cite news |date=3 February 2014 |title=Vijay-A R Murugadoss flick kick starts today |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news-interviews/Vijay-A-R-Murugadoss-flick-kick-starts-today/articleshow/29811719.cms |url-status=dead |access-date=4 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208194655/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news-interviews/Vijay-A-R-Murugadoss-flick-kick-starts-today/articleshow/29811719.cms |archive-date=8 December 2014}} A fight sequence was canned in this schedule for seven days,{{Cite news |date=2014-02-07 |title=An action-packed beginning for Vijay |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/an-action-packed-beginning-for-vijay/articleshow/29952716.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203145622/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/an-action-packed-beginning-for-vijay/articleshow/29952716.cms |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India}} and later the team returned to Chennai on 10 February 2014, for a song shoot which took place at Chennai International Airport from 14 to 17 February, with special permissions being procured to shoot at the runway.{{Cite news |date=2014-02-21 |title=Vijay moves to Hyderabad for a month |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-moves-to-hyderabad-for-a-month/articleshow/30777215.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203150422/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-moves-to-hyderabad-for-a-month/articleshow/30777215.cms |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India}} On 20 February, the team headed to Hyderabad for shooting a major 30-day schedule at Rajahmundry and Begumpet.{{Cite news |date=2014-03-13 |title=Vijay - Murugadoss in Begumpet |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-murugadoss-in-begumpet/articleshow/31951255.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203151121/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-murugadoss-in-begumpet/articleshow/31951255.cms |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India}} After a break for two-weeks, shooting resumed on 13 March in Hyderabad with another song being shot at Ramoji Film City.{{Cite web |date=28 March 2014 |title=The Real Reason Behind Stalling Vijay's 'Kaththi' Shoot |url=http://www.cinecorn.com/telugu/tag/kaththi-updates |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222601/http://www.cinecorn.com/telugu/tag/kaththi-updates |archive-date=12 May 2014 |access-date=28 March 2014 |website=Cinecorn |publisher=}}

A climax sequence featuring Vijay and Neil, made at a cost of {{INRConvert|10|m}} was shot at Nellore in mid-April.{{Cite web |title=Revisiting Kaththi: 30 lesser-known facts about Thalapathy Vijay's blockbuster action-drama |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/photos/slideshows/2019/oct/22/revisiting-kaththi-30-lesser-known-facts-about-thalapathy-vijays-blockbuster-action-drama-724.html |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Cinema Express |date=21 October 2019 |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208081611/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/photos/slideshows/2019/oct/22/revisiting-kaththi-30-lesser-known-facts-about-thalapathy-vijays-blockbuster-action-drama-724.html |url-status=live }} The film was then shot in Pushpa Gardens in Chennai, where a huge set which costed around {{INRConvert|12.5|m}} was erected and most of the indoor scenes were completed in this set.{{Cite news |date=2014-04-29 |title=Samantha celebrates with 'Kaththi' team |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/samantha-celebrates-with-kaththi-team/articleshow/34364694.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124182330/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/samantha-celebrates-with-kaththi-team/articleshow/34364694.cms |archive-date=2016-01-24 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India}} Shooting continued for a 40-day-long schedule in and around the city by 2 June 2014.{{Cite news |date=2014-06-16 |title=Vijay's big treat to his Kaththi team |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/vijays-big-treat-to-his-kaththi-team/articleshow/36657253.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203152245/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/vijays-big-treat-to-his-kaththi-team/articleshow/36657253.cms |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India}} In between, Murugadoss, took a break to promote his then upcoming Hindi film, Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty in Mumbai.{{Cite news |date=2014-05-02 |title=Kaththi team on a break |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kaththi-team-on-a-break/articleshow/34525487.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725234452/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kaththi-team-on-a-break/articleshow/34525487.cms |archive-date=2023-07-25 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India}}{{Cite web |date=3 June 2014 |title=Murugadoss takes a week off to promote 'Holiday' |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/murgadoss-takes-a-week-off-to-promote-holiday-news-tamil-ogdmGIhcbce.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813131237/http://www.sify.com/movies/murgadoss-takes-a-week-off-to-promote-holiday-news-tamil-ogdmGIhcbce.html |archive-date=13 August 2014 |access-date=10 August 2014 |website=Sify}} After Murugadoss returned to Chennai on 8 June, followed by location scouting, shooting of the film resumed, the following day.{{Cite news |date=2014-06-11 |title=Murugadoss to wrap up Kaththi soon |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/murugadoss-to-wrap-up-kaththi-soon/articleshow/36361284.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203152358/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/murugadoss-to-wrap-up-kaththi-soon/articleshow/36361284.cms |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India}} On 26 June 2014, the team headed to Kadapa for a 12-day schedule. By July 2014, 60 percent of the film's shoot had been completed.{{Cite web |last=Vandhana |date=2014-07-24 |title=Kaththi to Begin Final schedule |url=https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/kaththi-begin-final-schedule/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203153850/https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/kaththi-begin-final-schedule/ |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Silverscreen India |language=en-US}}

The final leg of the film began on 1 August 2014 in Chennai.{{Cite news |date=2014-08-02 |title=Samantha resumes shooting for Murugadoss film |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/samantha-resumes-shooting-for-murugadoss-film/articleshow/39547559.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525014425/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/samantha-resumes-shooting-for-murugadoss-film/articleshow/39547559.cms |archive-date=2024-05-25 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India}} In late August 2014, 15 days of filming, including patch-work and a few fight sequences, remained.{{Cite web |date=2014-08-18 |title=செப்டம்பரில் கத்தி பாடல்கள்! |trans-title='Kaththi' songs in September |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/kollywood/42756- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241203181352/https://cinema.vikatan.com/kollywood/42756- |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}} Filming moved back to Hyderabad, where the rest of the fight sequences were canned. On 1 September 2014, the second half of the film was nearly completed.{{Cite news |date=3 September 2014 |title='Kaththi' confirmed Diwali release? |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Kaththi-confirmed-Diwali-release/articleshow/41536549.cms |url-status=dead |access-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905135221/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Kaththi-confirmed-Diwali-release/articleshow/41536549.cms |archive-date=5 September 2014}} Additional filming took place at the Chennai Central railway station. On 4 September 2014, Neil Nitin Mukesh dubbed in Tamil himself for his role and completed his dubbing portions for the first half of the film.{{Cite news |last=Karthik, Janani |date=4 September 2014 |title=Neil Nitin dubs in Tamil for 'Kaththi' |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Neil-Nitin-dubs-in-Tamil-for-Kaththi/articleshow/41632396.cms |url-status=dead |access-date=4 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910153926/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Neil-Nitin-dubs-in-Tamil-for-Kaththi/articleshow/41632396.cms |archive-date=10 September 2014}} The climax sequences were shot in Nellore on 23 September 2014 and talkie portions had also been completed within two days.{{Cite news |date=23 September 2014 |title=Samantha's busy schedule |work=Deccan Chronicle |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140923/entertainment-tollywood/article/samantha%E2%80%99s-busy-schedule |access-date=23 September 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927045513/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140923/entertainment-tollywood/article/samantha%E2%80%99s-busy-schedule |archive-date=27 September 2014}} The song "Selfie Pulla" was shot in Mumbai, with about 100 dancers participating in the song sequence.{{Cite web |date=26 September 2014 |title=Selfie Pulla goes to Mumbai |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/Selfie-Pulla-goes-to-Mumbai/articleshow/43529617.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927045400/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/Selfie-Pulla-goes-to-Mumbai/articleshow/43529617.cms |archive-date=27 September 2014 |access-date=27 September 2014 |website=The Times of India}} Filming of that song was completed on 30 September 2014, with entire shooting being completed as a result.{{Cite news |date=2014-09-30 |title=Vijay's Kaththi shoot completed |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-kaththi-shoot-completed/articleshow/44193294.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003173322/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-kaththi-shoot-completed/articleshow/44193294.cms |archive-date=2014-10-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India}}

Kaththi deals with the suicide of farmers due to corporate encroachment.{{Cite web |last=Balachandran |first=Logesh |date=22 October 2020 |title=Neil Nitin Mukesh celebrates 6 years of Vijay's Kaththi, shares a still from film |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/neil-nitin-mukesh-celebrates-6-years-of-vijay-s-kaththi-shares-a-still-from-film-1734118-2020-10-22 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208133632/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/neil-nitin-mukesh-celebrates-6-years-of-vijay-s-kaththi-shares-a-still-from-film-1734118-2020-10-22 |url-status=live }} The film also deals with several themes such as water scarcity,{{Cite web |date=2024-03-22 |title=World Water Day: SRK's 'Swades' To Vijay's 'Kaththi', 5 Must-Watch Films On Water |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/world-water-day-shah-rukh-khans-swades-to-vijays-kaththi-5-must-watch-films-around-the-most-important-resource |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328171608/https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/world-water-day-shah-rukh-khans-swades-to-vijays-kaththi-5-must-watch-films-around-the-most-important-resource |archive-date=2024-03-28 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=23 March 2021 |title=Thanneer Thanneer to Keni: Kollywood films that highlight water crisis |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/thanneer-thanneer-to-keni-kollywood-films-that-highlight-water-crisis/photostory/81642466.cms |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=The Times of India |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208161604/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/thanneer-thanneer-to-keni-kollywood-films-that-highlight-water-crisis/photostory/81642466.cms |url-status=live }} corruption, communism, the ill-effects of capitalism and industrialisation and problems faced by farmers in daily lives.{{Cite web |last1=Kothari |first1=Sonu M. |last2=George |first2=Diya Maria |date=2024-09-05 |title=A masster stroke! Charting Vijay's journey from films to politics |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2024/Sep/04/a-masster-stroke-charting-vijays-journey-from-films-to-politics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918182614/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2024/Sep/04/a-masster-stroke-charting-vijays-journey-from-films-to-politics |archive-date=2024-09-18 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-03 |title=Mersal to Kaththi: Five political films Vijay starred in before entering politics |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/mersal-to-kaththi-five-political-films-vijay-starred-in-before-entering-politics |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=The News Minute |language=en |archive-date=18 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718111406/https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/mersal-to-kaththi-five-political-films-vijay-starred-in-before-entering-politics |url-status=live }} The character Jeevanantham, is named after a social activist, whom Murugadoss was inspired by.{{Cite web |date=2014-10-24 |title=Reel and real life of actor Vijay is being questioned in the social media after Kaththi |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/reel-and-real-life-actor-vijay-being-questioned-social-media-after-kaththi-27401 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203145232/https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/reel-and-real-life-actor-vijay-being-questioned-social-media-after-kaththi-27401 |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=The News Minute |language=en}} Rockline Venkatesh, the producer of Lingaa, denied the connection of the film's script with that of Kaththi.{{Cite news |date=8 November 2014 |title=Rajinikanth's Lingaa is not like Kaththi: Rockline Venkatesh |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/rajinikanths-lingaa-is-not-like-kaththi-rockline-venkatesh/articleshow/45080134.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208133630/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/rajinikanths-lingaa-is-not-like-kaththi-rockline-venkatesh/articleshow/45080134.cms |archive-date=8 February 2022 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}

In the film, Jeevanantham, in a single dialogue, illustrates about the basic tenets of communism using idlies.{{Cite web |date=27 October 2017 |title=To Vijay Sir, With Love |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/to-vijay-sir-with-love-mersal-gst-4908162/ |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208133630/https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/to-vijay-sir-with-love-mersal-gst-4908162/ |url-status=live }} In the press meet scene, the character Kathiresan mentions several political incidents, this included the 2G spectrum case, and the encroachment of Pepsi in the banks of river Thamirabharani.{{Cite web |date=16 December 2016 |title=Not just Pepsi and Coke, here are the other companies sucking the Thamirabarani dry |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/not-just-pepsi-and-coke-here-are-other-companies-sucking-thamirabarani-dry-54353 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=The News Minute |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208133632/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/not-just-pepsi-and-coke-here-are-other-companies-sucking-thamirabarani-dry-54353 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2014-11-08 |title=Vijay answers fans on cola controversy, Kaththi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-society/vijay-answers-fans-on-cola-controversy-kaththi/article6578762.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126142054/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-society/vijay-answers-fans-on-cola-controversy-kaththi/article6578762.ece |archive-date=2014-11-26 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN}} In October 2014, a petition was filed against Vijay and Murugadoss regarding the 2G spectrum case and slammed them for defamation.{{Cite web |date=29 October 2014 |title=Defamation complaint filed against makers of 'Kaththi' for 2G corruption dialogue |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141028/entertainment-kollywood/article/defamation-complaint-filed-against-makers-kaththi-2g |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208133630/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141028/entertainment-kollywood/article/defamation-complaint-filed-against-makers-kaththi-2g |archive-date=8 February 2022 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}} The complainant R. Ramasubramanian questioned how a film can conclude that all those involved in the 2G spectrum case are corrupt when the case is still being heard in court, adding that the dialogue portrayed all those people in poor light and damaged their dignity.{{Cite web |last=Saravanan |first=L |date=28 October 2014 |title=Defamation complaint filed against actor Vijay for 2G corruption dialogue in Kaththi movie |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/defamation-complaint-filed-against-actor-vijay-for-2g-corruption-dialogue-in-kaththi-movie/articleshow/44958279.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208133630/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/defamation-complaint-filed-against-actor-vijay-for-2g-corruption-dialogue-in-kaththi-movie/articleshow/44958279.cms |archive-date=8 February 2022 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=The Times of India |language=en}} The court however, dismissed those claims later.

Civil servant and bureaucrat Alex Paul Menon IAS, however, was critical of the film, for its messaging against water conservation. He added that the deep borewells and encroachment of the lakes and ponds were responsible for the water scarcity and not just the multinational soft-drink companies, as shown in the film.{{Cite web |date=2014-11-01 |title=Kaththi, a Cardboard Knife with Diluted Message: Civil Servant |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2014/Nov/01/kaththi-a-cardboard-knife-with-diluted-message-civil-servant-677621.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203175628/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2014/Nov/01/kaththi-a-cardboard-knife-with-diluted-message-civil-servant-677621.html |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}} In a positive note, B. Kolappan, writing for The Hindu, noted on how the film appealed to the leftist ideologies over its content, and that led to being favored by Communist Party of India (Marxist) and its pro-leftist organizations.{{Cite news |last=Kolappan |first=B. |date=2014-11-17 |title=Kaththi appeals to Leftists |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kaththi-appeals-to-leftists/article6609426.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126190953/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kaththi-appeals-to-leftists/article6609426.ece |archive-date=2014-11-26 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN}}

Sowmya Rajendran of The News Minute called Kaththi as what "Kollywood likes to call a "message" film made in a mainstream format" and the enormous success of the film "coupled with the general public mood (on social media especially) after the jallikattu protests of 2017, which have made the "farmer sentiment" so popular on screen".{{Cite web |date=19 September 2018 |title=How the farmer has been reduced to a punch dialogue in Tamil cinema |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/how-farmer-has-been-reduced-punch-dialogue-tamil-cinema-88594 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=The News Minute |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208133630/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/how-farmer-has-been-reduced-punch-dialogue-tamil-cinema-88594 |url-status=live }} According to Bhuvanesh Chandar of The Hindu, "Many films of actor-turned-politician Vijay, like Thamizhan, Kaththi, and Mersal have used press conferences to tell audiences a message without breaking the fourth wall; this is a trope that can be looked at as an evolution from the Parasakthi-like or Citizen-like speech by the hero at a courthouse."{{Cite news |last=Chandar |first=Bhuvanesh |date=2024-07-19 |title=From 'Sarkar' to 'Indian 2,' how social media has been used as a storytelling tool in Tamil cinema |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/from-sarkar-to-indian-2-how-social-media-has-been-used-as-a-storytelling-tool-in-tamil-cinema/article68417682.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721043704/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/from-sarkar-to-indian-2-how-social-media-has-been-used-as-a-storytelling-tool-in-tamil-cinema/article68417682.ece |archive-date=2024-07-21 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN}}

{{Main|Kaththi (soundtrack)}}

File:Anirudh Ravichander at Audi Ritz Style Awards 2017.jpg composed the film's soundtrack and score.{{Cite news |last=Kamath |first=Sudhish |date=3 April 2014 |title=The boy with the viral touch |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/the-boy-with-the-viral-touch/article5866918.ece |access-date=10 February 2022 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=6 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206114104/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/the-boy-with-the-viral-touch/article5866918.ece |url-status=live }}]]

The soundtrack and film score are composed by Anirudh Ravichander, in his first collaboration with Vijay and Murugadoss. Before signing the project, Anirudh had composed the theme music of the film,{{cite web |date=12 June 2014 |title=Anirudh scores exclusive theme music for 'Kaththi' |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/Anirudh-scores-exclusive-theme-music-for-Kaththi/articleshow/36431423.cms |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618033524/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Tamil/Music/Anirudh-scores-exclusive-theme-music-for-Kaththi/articleshow/36431423.cms |archivedate=18 June 2014 |accessdate=27 July 2014 |work=The Times of India}} which was accompanied with the motion poster was released on YouTube on 22 June 2014, coinciding with actor Vijay's birthday. The album was under production from late-2013 and continued until September 2014. The soundtrack album consists of seven tracks, with lyrics written by Madhan Karky, Yugabharathi, Pa. Vijay and Hiphop Tamizha.{{Cite news |title=Kaththi tracklist ahead of audio release |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/kaththi-tracklist-ahead-of-audio-release/articleshow/42807412.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210125849/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/kaththi-tracklist-ahead-of-audio-release/articleshow/42807412.cms |archive-date=10 February 2022 |access-date=2022-02-10 |website=The Times of India |language=en}} The album, in its entirety was released on 24 September 2014, at the audio launch event held at The Leela Palace Hotel in Chennai.{{Cite web |date=26 August 2014 |title='Kaththi' audio launch on Sep 24? |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-audio-launch-on-sep-18-news-tamil-oi0k8agffahib.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908073513/http://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-audio-launch-on-sep-18-news-tamil-oi0k8agffahib.html |archive-date=8 September 2014 |access-date=27 August 2014 |website=Sify}} The songs and the film score were widely appreciated; On 28 January 2015, the crew released the film's original background score through YouTube, to coincide with the film's 100-day celebration.{{Cite news |date=2015-01-28 |title=Anirudh's surprise for Kaththi's century |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/anirudhs-surprise-for-kaththis-century/articleshow/46052948.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202200341/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/anirudhs-surprise-for-kaththis-century/articleshow/46052948.cms |archive-date=2015-02-02 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

Murugadoss chose creative designer Gopi Prasannaa to work on the promotional materials of the film.{{Cite web |last=Pudipeddi |first=Haricharan |date=2018-07-25 |title=From Aaranya Kaandam to Sarkar, publicity designer Gopi Prasanna on film posters and their impact in multiplex era |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/from-aaranya-kaandam-to-sarkar-publicity-designer-gopi-prasanna-on-film-posters-and-their-impact-in-multiplex-era-4815551.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118195317/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/from-aaranya-kaandam-to-sarkar-publicity-designer-gopi-prasanna-on-film-posters-and-their-impact-in-multiplex-era-4815551.html |archive-date=2024-01-18 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}} The first look and motion poster was released on 21 June 2014,{{Cite web |date=22 June 2014 |title=Vijay's 40th birthday gift - 'Kaththi' first look motion poster |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140622/entertainment-kollywood/article/vijays-40th-birthday-gift-kaththi-first-look-motion-poster |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208160107/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140622/entertainment-kollywood/article/vijays-40th-birthday-gift-kaththi-first-look-motion-poster |url-status=live }} the eve of Vijay's birthday (22 June 2014).{{Cite web |date=22 June 2014 |title='Kaththi': First motion poster unveiled on superstar Vijay's birthday |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/kaththi-first-motion-poster-unveiled-on-superstar-vijays-birthday-696847.html |access-date=8 April 2020 |website=News18 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917011419/https://www.news18.com/news/india/kaththi-first-motion-poster-unveiled-on-superstar-vijays-birthday-696847.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2014-06-23 |title=Kaththi's first-look forks up talk in Twitterverse |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-leisure/kaththis-firstlook-forks-up-talk-in-twitterverse/article6142805.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627151456/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-leisure/kaththis-firstlook-forks-up-talk-in-twitterverse/article6142805.ece |archive-date=2014-06-27 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN}} The first look featured a still of Vijay being made with a collage of newspaper headlines. The motion poster featured a creative design of prominent places in Chennai, and the entire city itself recreated and draped in the form of news headlines, and the final image, the still from the poster, in the end. According to Prasanna, Kaththi became the first mainstream Tamil film to introduce first looks.{{Cite web |date=30 June 2019 |title=From 'Kaththi' to 'Game Over', meet the man who designs Kollywood's coolest posters |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kaththi-game-over-meet-man-who-designs-kollywoods-coolest-posters-104572 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=The News Minute |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208160100/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kaththi-game-over-meet-man-who-designs-kollywoods-coolest-posters-104572 |url-status=live }} He did not use the photograph of Vijay in the design, and created a newspaper collage to resemble Vijay's face. The production team were initially sceptical of the idea, but after the release, he was later commended for his creative efforts.{{Cite web |date=28 January 2022 |title=What goes behind the making of a film poster? |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/special-features/what-goes-behind-the-making-of-a-film-poster-1075700.html |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en |archive-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202083832/https://www.deccanherald.com/special-features/what-goes-behind-the-making-of-a-film-poster-1075700.html |url-status=live }} Within a week, the motion poster crossed more than 1 million views.{{Cite web |date=29 June 2014 |title='Kaththi' motion poster crosses 1 million views |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-motion-poster-crosses-1-million-views-news-tamil-og3t9bbccadjb.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630074743/http://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-motion-poster-crosses-1-million-views-news-tamil-og3t9bbccadjb.html |archive-date=30 June 2014 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Sify |language=en}}

The official teaser of the film was released on 24 September 2014, coinciding with the film's audio launch event.{{Cite web |date=24 September 2014 |title='Kaththi' teaser: Ilayathalapathy Vijay stares at you from inside a giant cement pipe in AR Murugadoss' latest film |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/kaththi-teaser-ilayathalapathy-vijay-stares-at-you-from-inside-a-giant-cement-pipe-in-ar-murugadoss-latest-film-714892.html |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=News18 |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208160100/https://www.news18.com/news/india/kaththi-teaser-ilayathalapathy-vijay-stares-at-you-from-inside-a-giant-cement-pipe-in-ar-murugadoss-latest-film-714892.html |url-status=live }} An Android game based on the film was launched during early-October, with the 3D and 2D versions of the game being released through Google Play Store and Windows Store.{{Cite news |date=2014-10-06 |title=Kaththi's second version soon! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kaththis-second-version-soon/articleshow/44493617.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008135809/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kaththis-second-version-soon/articleshow/44493617.cms |archive-date=2014-10-08 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India}} The trailer of the film was unveiled on 19 October 2014, three days ahead of the film's release, and received a positive response from viewers.{{Cite web |date=19 October 2014 |title='Kaththi' trailer: Ilayathalapathy Vijay is the saviour of people and Neil Nitin Mukesh is the suave baddie |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/kaththi-trailer-ilayathalapathy-vijay-is-the-saviour-of-people-and-neil-nitin-mukesh-is-the-suave-baddie-721240.html |access-date=8 April 2020 |website=News18 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802223214/https://www.news18.com/news/india/kaththi-trailer-ilayathalapathy-vijay-is-the-saviour-of-people-and-neil-nitin-mukesh-is-the-suave-baddie-721240.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=20 October 2014 |title=Watch: 'Kaththi' trailer launched, creates sensation on Twitter |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141020/entertainment-bollywood/article/watch-kaththi-trailer-launched-creates-sensation-twitter |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208160102/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141020/entertainment-bollywood/article/watch-kaththi-trailer-launched-creates-sensation-twitter |url-status=live }} Before the theatrical release, the film's posters were branded in the AC coaches of Parasuram Express which travels through Nagercoil to Mangalore via Kerala, and at inter-state buses in Kerala and Karnataka.{{Cite tweet |number=524086903545425920 |user=sri50 |title=#Kaththi ad on AC bogey #ParasuramanExpress from Nagercoil 2 Mangalore day train, travels through Kerala 6am-8pm |author=Sreedhar Pillai |date=2014-10-20 |access-date=2024-12-03 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241203171155/https://x.com/sri50/status/524086903545425920 |archive-date=2024-12-03 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=20 October 2014 |title=Kaththi posters on inter-state buses |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kaththi-posters-on-inter-state-buses/articleshow/44887925.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208170143/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kaththi-posters-on-inter-state-buses/articleshow/44887925.cms |archive-date=8 February 2022 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=The Times of India |language=en}} Post release, two events were held to commemorate the film's successful theatrical run; one being held at Coimbatore on 27 October 2014,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAEqhFc1MTk |title=Vijay Speech At Coimbatore Kaththi Success Meet |date=2014-10-28 |last= |publisher=Cinema Vikatan |access-date=2024-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028155154/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAEqhFc1MTk |archive-date=2014-10-28 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}} and another event at Tirunelveli on 14 December 2014, to coincide the film's 50th day theatrical run.{{Cite news |date=2014-12-15 |title=Vijay's weapons depend on his enemy's! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-weapons-depend-on-his-enemys/articleshow/45520784.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409052806/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-weapons-depend-on-his-enemys/articleshow/45520784.cms |archive-date=2022-04-09 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India}}

Kaththi was released on 22 October 2014, coinciding with the Diwali festival.{{Cite web |title='Kaththi' takes a monster opening |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-takes-a-monster-opening-news-tamil-okxpAzbebihcc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023181132/http://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-takes-a-monster-opening-news-tamil-okxpAzbebihcc.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 October 2014 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Sify |language=en}} The film was released in more than 1300 screens worldwide.{{Cite news |date=2014-10-23 |title='Kaththi' sets BO record with 23 Cr |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kaththi-sets-bo-record-with-23-cr/articleshow/44924890.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026003330/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kaththi-sets-bo-record-with-23-cr/articleshow/44924890.cms |archive-date=2014-10-26 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} The film released in 400 screens in Tamil Nadu and 200 screens in Kerala, setting a record at screen count.{{Cite web |date=14 October 2014 |title=Record Breaking Screen count for Kaththi |url=https://www.studioflicks.com/news/record-breaking-screen-count-for-kaththi/ |access-date=8 April 2020 |website=StudioFlicks |language=en-US |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802200131/https://www.studioflicks.com/news/record-breaking-screen-count-for-kaththi/ |url-status=dead }} In overseas, the film was released in US in 105 screens, which is considered as the biggest Tamil release in the country, and in Canada, the film released on 21 screens. The film released in United Kingdom on 70 screens, and in France on 24 screens. The film released in Sri Lanka, on 28 screens, and in Australia on 16 screens. The film was released in Malaysia on 120 screens, which is highest for a Tamil film at that time.

The satellite rights of the film were sold to Jaya TV.{{Cite news |date=30 September 2014 |title='Lingaa' follows 'I' and 'Kaththi' |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Lingaa-follows-I-and-Kaththi/articleshow/43890382.cms |url-status=dead |access-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001001810/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Lingaa-follows-I-and-Kaththi/articleshow/43890382.cms |archive-date=1 October 2014}} Shibu Thameens purchased the Kerala theatrical rights.{{Cite web |last=Vandhana |date=2014-10-08 |title=Kaththi Goes Big in Kerala |url=https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/kaththi-goes-big-in-kerala/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003123718/https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/kaththi-goes-big-in-kerala/ |archive-date=2022-10-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Silverscreen India |language=en-US}} The theatrical rights in Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur were sold to T. Siva of Boss Films. Prominent film producer Tagore Madhu acquired the theatrical rights in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.{{Cite web |date=3 October 2014 |title='Kaththi' Telugu dubbing rights sold |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-telugu-dubbing-rights-sold-news-tamil-okdk6ffdfgfai.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003063438/http://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-telugu-dubbing-rights-sold-news-tamil-okdk6ffdfgfai.html |archive-date=3 October 2014 |access-date=3 October 2014 |website=Sify}} MM Media, previously known as GK Media, acquired the film's theatrical rights in the USA. Goldie Films acquired the theatrical distribution rights in Karnataka.{{Cite web |title='Kaththi'- All areas sold out! |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi--all-areas-sold-out-news-tamil-oknj4segfgbjh.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208163105/https://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi--all-areas-sold-out-news-tamil-oknj4segfgbjh.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 February 2022 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Sify |language=en}} The film was sold out in all the territories, nine days before the film's theatrical release.

The Telugu-dubbed version, which was planned to release along with the Tamil version, was pushed to 31 October 2014 and later to 21 November.{{Cite news |date=2014-10-09 |title=Kaththi's music to be unveiled on Oct 15 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/music/kaththis-music-to-be-unveiled-on-oct-23/articleshow/44834903.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203173526/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/music/kaththis-music-to-be-unveiled-on-oct-23/articleshow/44834903.cms |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |quote=Vijay, Samantha starrer Kaththi is all set to release in Telugu on October 31 all over Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.}}{{Cite news |date=2014-10-31 |title=Kaththi Telugu version to release on Nov 21 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/kaththi-telugu-version-to-release-on-nov-22/articleshow/44993022.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105143720/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/kaththi-telugu-version-to-release-on-nov-22/articleshow/44993022.cms |archive-date=2014-11-05 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} The dubbed version was dropped, in favour of a Telugu remake titled Khaidi No. 150, which was planned by the producer.{{Cite news |date=2 November 2014 |title=No remake of 'Kaththi' in Telugu |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/no-remake-of-kaththi-in-telugu/article6557594.ece |access-date=21 January 2022 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=21 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121121824/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/no-remake-of-kaththi-in-telugu/article6557594.ece |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2014-10-27 |title=Telugu producers vie for Kaththi remake rights |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/Telugu-producers-vie-for-Kaththi-remake-rights/article60391907.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203174214/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/Telugu-producers-vie-for-Kaththi-remake-rights/article60391907.ece |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} The film was also dubbed and released in Hindi under the title Khaki Aur Khiladi. and was released through YouTube in 2017.{{Cite web |date=25 December 2020 |title='Thuppakki' to 'Master': Five times when Vijay's Hindi dub got a different title |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/thuppakki-to-master-five-times-when-vijays-hindi-dub-got-a-different-title/photostory/79955480.cms |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=The Times of India |language=en |archive-date=26 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926103142/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/thuppakki-to-master-five-times-when-vijays-hindi-dub-got-a-different-title/photostory/79955480.cms |url-status=live }}

On Vijay's 45th birthday (22 June 2019), fans organized a re-release of the film in Palakkad, following his fandom in Kerala.{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Vishal |date=2019-07-29 |title=How Tamil Actor Vijay Became A Superstar In Kerala |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/how-actor-vijay-became-a-superstar-in-kerala |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116054907/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/how-actor-vijay-became-a-superstar-in-kerala |archive-date=2023-01-16 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Film Companion South |language=en}} Another re-release of the film held on the actor's 50th birthday, with other films, Ghilli (2004), Pokkiri (2007), Thuppakki (2012), Mersal (2017) and Master (2021).{{Cite news |date=2024-06-19 |title=Thalapathy Vijay turns 50: Six films of the 'GOAT' actor to be re-released in theatre |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/thalapathy-vijay-turns-50-six-films-of-the-goat-actor-to-be-re-released-in-theatre/articleshow/111107544.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621130843/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/thalapathy-vijay-turns-50-six-films-of-the-goat-actor-to-be-re-released-in-theatre/articleshow/111107544.cms |archive-date=2024-06-21 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} The film was released in Japan on 1 November 2024.{{cite web |date=14 September 2024 |title=ヴィジャイが詐欺師と社会活動化の一人二役に 『カッティ 刃物と水道管』11月1日公開決定 |trans-title=Vijay plays the dual role of a con artist and a social activist "Kaththi: Knives and Water Pipes" will be released on November 1 |url=https://realsound.jp/movie/2024/09/post-1781016.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110065618/https://realsound.jp/movie/2024/09/post-1781016.html |archive-date=10 November 2024 |access-date=11 November 2024 |website=realsound.jp |language=Japanese}}

The 41-second first-look motion poster drew comparisons with the popular minute-long advertisement campaign run by a Turkish newspaper, Sabah, to announce their distribution of the New York Times as a supplement. The original advertisement features iconic images of the cities of New York City and Istanbul, designed using news articles and headlines from the newspaper to show the two cities in the form of newspaper clippings. The motion poster of the film showed prominent places in Chennai and the entire city itself in the form of newspaper clippings and headlines, just like the advertisement campaign, without an acknowledgement to the makers of the original.{{Cite news |last=Naig, Udhav |date=24 June 2014 |title='Kaththi' first-look forks up talk in Twitterverse |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-leisure/kaththis-firstlook-forks-up-talk-in-twitterverse/article6142805.ece |access-date=10 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915043036/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-leisure/kaththis-firstlook-forks-up-talk-in-twitterverse/article6142805.ece |archive-date=15 September 2014}}{{Cite news |last=Prasad, Shiva |date=23 June 2014 |title=Vijay's 'Kaththi' first look copied |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Vijays-Kaththi-first-look-copied/articleshow/37068359.cms? |url-status=dead |access-date=20 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927043307/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Vijays-Kaththi-first-look-copied/articleshow/37068359.cms |archive-date=27 September 2014}}

Minjur Gopi Nayinar filed a case against Murugadoss, claiming that the plot of the film was copied from his novel Mootha Kudi. In late-September 2014, the court declared the case in Murugadoss's favour, citing lack of proper evidence found against him.{{Cite web |date=26 September 2014 |title=Vijay's 'Kaththi' wins plagiarism case in court |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Vijays-Kaththi-wins-plagiarism-case-in-court/articleshow/43498035.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927050034/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Vijays-Kaththi-wins-plagiarism-case-in-court/articleshow/43498035.cms |archive-date=27 September 2014 |access-date=27 September 2014 |website=The Times of India}} In response to the film's allegations on plagiarism, director Vikraman advocated directors to register their scripts at the screenwriter's association to avoid plagiarism.{{Cite web |last=Thimmayya |first=Daniel |date=2014-11-04 |title=Cut up by Kaththi, Film Body to Register Scripts |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2014/Nov/04/cut-up-by-kaththi-film-body-to-register-scripts-678548.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203185940/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2014/Nov/04/cut-up-by-kaththi-film-body-to-register-scripts-678548.html |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2014-11-04 |title=Register scripts to avoid plagiarism: Vikraman |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/register-scripts-to-avoid-plagiarism-vikraman-114110400649_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111000942/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/register-scripts-to-avoid-plagiarism-vikraman-114110400649_1.html |archive-date=2014-11-11 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=Business Standard |agency=Indo-Asian News Service}}

Anbu Rajasekar, a short film director also claimed the plagiarism allegation, levied against Murugadoss saying that the plot was lifted from his 2013 short film Thaaga Bhoomi, which was selected at the Norway Tamil Film Festival and also won second prize in a short film contest judged by Director Balu Mahendra.{{Cite web |date=13 November 2018 |title=Murugadoss must acknowledge my contribution to 'Kaththi': Writer Anbu Rajasekar |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kaththi-plagiarism-case-murugadoss-4-yrs-writer-anbu-rajasekar-awaits-justice-91456 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=The News Minute |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208170143/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kaththi-plagiarism-case-murugadoss-4-yrs-writer-anbu-rajasekar-awaits-justice-91456 |url-status=live }} He further shared a scene-to-scene comparison of the short film with Kaththi to further substantiate his claim and wrote a letter to Murugadoss on late-October, claiming that his story was used in the film without permission. Since, there was no favourable reply from the director, he filed a case in the Thanjavur High Court against Vijay, Murugadoss, Lyca Productions and the cinematographer George C. Williams.{{Cite web |date=24 December 2014 |title=Murugadoss, Vijay summoned in Kaththi case |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/anbu-rajasekhar-vijay-a-r-murugadoss/articleshow/45632556.cms |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Bangalore Mirror |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208170147/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/anbu-rajasekhar-vijay-a-r-murugadoss/articleshow/45632556.cms |url-status=live }} The case went on for four years, and since there was no development, Anbu with his family, subjected to a 10-day hunger strike from 31 October to 10 November 2018,{{Cite web |last=Dinamalar |date=31 October 2018 |title=கத்தி கதை பிரச்னை : இயக்குநர் குடும்பத்துடன் உண்ணாவிரதம் |url=https://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/73044/cinema/Kollywood/Kaththi-story-issue-:-Thaga-bhoomi-short-film-director-protest.htm |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=தினமலர் - சினிமா |language=ta |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208171649/https://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/73044/cinema/Kollywood/Kaththi-story-issue-:-Thaga-bhoomi-short-film-director-protest.htm |url-status=live }} and also filed a petition signed by over 100 villagers, which was submitted to the office of Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the then-Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. In December 2019, the Madras High Court dismissed the proceedings against Vijay, Lyca and three others, saying that "there was no material against them about the allegations of plagiarism and the short film had not been registered under the Copyright Act, 1957".{{Cite news |date=10 December 2019 |title=HC quashes proceedings against Vijay, Lyca production,3 others |work=Business Standard India |agency=Press Trust of India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/hc-quashes-proceedings-against-vijay-lyca-production-3-others-119121001547_1.html |access-date=8 February 2022 |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208170143/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/hc-quashes-proceedings-against-vijay-lyca-production-3-others-119121001547_1.html |url-status=live }}

File:Subaskaran-Allirajah-Profile.jpg, who produced Kaththi under Lyca Productions, was alleged to have business links with Sri Lankan politician Mahinda Rajapaksa.{{Cite news |last=Naig |first=Udhav |date=6 September 2015 |title=Lyca Productions making a comeback |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/lyca-productions-making-a-comeback/article7621552.ece |access-date=10 February 2022 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=12 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812164615/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/lyca-productions-making-a-comeback/article7621552.ece |url-status=live }} Allirajah, however refuted such claims in several instances.{{Cite web |date=5 November 2018 |title=Thalaivaa, Kaththi, Puli, Theri, Mersal, Sarkar: Tracing pre, post-release controversies that haunt Vijay's career |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/thalaivaa-kaththi-puli-theri-mersal-sarkar-tracing-pre-post-release-controversies-that-haunt-vijays-career-5505171.html |access-date=10 February 2022 |website=Firstpost |language=en |archive-date=13 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713165150/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/thalaivaa-kaththi-puli-theri-mersal-sarkar-tracing-pre-post-release-controversies-that-haunt-vijays-career-5505171.html |url-status=live }}]]

Subaskaran Allirajah, chairman of Lyca Mobiles, whose company Lyca Productions co-produced the film along with Ayngaran International, was claimed to have had business links with the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa. Murugadoss and Karunamoorthy of Ayngaran International met pro-Eelam leaders – Pazha Nedumaran, film director and Naam Tamilar Katchi's (NTK) leader Seeman and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi's (VCK) Thol. Thirumavalavan — to explain their position regarding the allegation, but the talks proved to be inconclusive at that time.{{Cite news |last=Naig, Udhav |date=3 August 2014 |title='Kaththi' director meets pro-Eelam leaders to clear air |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-society/kaththi-director-meets-proeelam-leaders-to-clear-air/article6275667.ece |access-date=4 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915043327/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-society/kaththi-director-meets-proeelam-leaders-to-clear-air/article6275667.ece |archive-date=15 September 2014}} A collective of four student bodies – Maatram Maanavar Ilaiyor Iyakkam, Free Tamil Eelam Students Organisation, Tamil Youth and Students Association, and Progressive Students Front – in Tamil Nadu called for a ban on the film, stating that the film promoted the economic and political interests of Sri Lanka. The students were willing to reconsider their position on the film if Lyca Productions formally withdrew as producer.{{Cite news |last=Naig, Udhav |date=8 August 2014 |title=Tinsel Town: Student bodies call for ban on 'Kaththi' and 'Pulipaarvai' |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/tinsel-town-student-bodies-call-for-ban-on-kaththi-and-pulipaarvai/article6292676.ece |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915043440/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/tinsel-town-student-bodies-call-for-ban-on-kaththi-and-pulipaarvai/article6292676.ece |archive-date=15 September 2014}} In August 2014, Seeman and Vikraman showed support for the film.{{Cite web |date=2014-08-21 |title='கத்தி' படத்தை எதிர்க்க மாட்டேன்: சீமான் அறிவிப்பு |trans-title=I will not oppose 'Kaththi', says Seeman |url=https://www.vikatan.com/government-and-politics/31560- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241203181312/https://www.vikatan.com/government-and-politics/31560- |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}}

Despite clarifications, as many as 65 Tamil groups came together to oppose the film, leading to speculations regarding Lyca stepping down as producer and handing the reins to another production group.{{Cite web |date=20 August 2014 |title='Kaththi' gets flak from Tamil fringe groups |url=http://ianslive.in/index.php?param=news/Kaththi_gets_flak_from_Tamil_fringe_groups-439176/ENTERTAINMENT/15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225215343/http://ianslive.in/index.php?param=news/Kaththi_gets_flak_from_Tamil_fringe_groups-439176/ENTERTAINMENT/15 |archive-date=25 December 2015 |access-date=23 August 2014 |agency=Indo-Asian News Service}} Karunamoorthy, however, again denied that Allirajah had business links with either Mahinda Rajapaksa or his family in any way, further saying that a press meet would be held where all doubts and suspicions regarding Lyca Productions would be clarified and that the film would be released under the Lyca Productions banner.{{Cite news |last1=Yamunan, Sruthisagar |last2=Naig, Udhav |date=20 August 2014 |title='Kaththi', 'Puli Paarvai' in trouble |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/kaththi-puli-paarvai-in-trouble/article6333800.ece |access-date=20 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915043423/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/kaththi-puli-paarvai-in-trouble/article6333800.ece |archive-date=15 September 2014}} As per Karunamoorthy's statement, a press meet was held on 16 September 2014, where the vice-chairman of Lyca Productions, Premananthan Sivasamy, Subaskaran and Karunamoorthy were present.{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2014-09-17 |title=No Protest Can Stop Kaththi From Releasing, Say Producers |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2014/Sep/17/no-protest-can-stop-kaththi-from-releasing-say-producers-661602.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203172217/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2014/Sep/17/no-protest-can-stop-kaththi-from-releasing-say-producers-661602.html |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}} A statement with a detailed clarification was shown in which it was mentioned that Lyca did not have any business links with Rajapaksa or anyone else related to him, thereby confirming the planned release of the film on Diwali.{{Cite news |date=2014-09-17 |title=Kaththi producers clarify on five important issues |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kaththi-producers-clarify-on-five-important-issues/articleshow/42691233.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017001750/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kaththi-producers-clarify-on-five-important-issues/articleshow/42691233.cms |archive-date=2014-10-17 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

A meeting with the pro-Tamil groups, with Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association, exhibitors and distributors was held, three days before the release and after a favourable response, the theatre owners officially confirmed the planned release.{{Cite news |date=20 October 2014 |title='Kaththi' release in Tamil Nadu uncertain |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/kaththi-release-in-tamil-nadu-uncertain-114102000277_1.html |access-date=8 February 2022 |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208170141/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/kaththi-release-in-tamil-nadu-uncertain-114102000277_1.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=2014-11-05 |title=From protests to plagiarism charges: Despite controversies, Kaththi reaps gold at box office |url=https://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/from-protests-to-plagarism-charges-kaththi-continues-to-stir-controversies-1789237.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119103229/https://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/from-protests-to-plagarism-charges-kaththi-continues-to-stir-controversies-1789237.html |archive-date=2014-11-19 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}} However, on 20 October, few members from the Tamil groups had damaged the properties and glass panes at Sathyam cinemas and Woodlands Cinemas,{{Cite news |last1=Naig |first1=Udhav |last2=Yamunan |first2=Sruthisagar |date=21 October 2014 |title=Sword hangs over Kaththi |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-society/sword-hangs-over-kaththi/article6520427.ece |access-date=8 February 2022 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208170141/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-society/sword-hangs-over-kaththi/article6520427.ece |url-status=live }} which resulted in huge trouble before its release.{{Cite news |last1=Peter |first1=Petlee |last2=Naig |first2=Udhav |date=21 October 2014 |title=Vandals attack cinema halls in Chennai over Kaththi release |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/vandals-attack-cinema-halls-in-chennai-over-kaththi-release/article11079100.ece |access-date=8 February 2022 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208170147/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/vandals-attack-cinema-halls-in-chennai-over-kaththi-release/article11079100.ece |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Vijay-starrer 'Kaththi' runs into trouble in Chennai, may not release on Diwali |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/vijay-starrer-kaththi-runs-into-trouble-in-chennai-may-not-release-on-diwali/articleshow/44896900.cms?from=mdr |access-date=8 February 2022 |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208170147/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/vijay-starrer-kaththi-runs-into-trouble-in-chennai-may-not-release-on-diwali/articleshow/44896900.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }} Later, actor Vijay confirmed that the issues with the pro-Tamils' have been resolved and Lyca Productions' name was being removed from the film and its promotional materials, thereby meeting their demands.{{Cite web |date=21 October 2014 |title=All issues over release of 'Kaththi' resolved, says actor Vijay |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/all-issues-over-release-of-kaththi-resolved-says-actor-vijay/ |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208170147/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/all-issues-over-release-of-kaththi-resolved-says-actor-vijay/ |url-status=live }} He also thanked the then-Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J. Jayalalithaa for extending the support towards the film's release.{{Cite web |title=Vijay: All issues over release of Kaththi resolved |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/vijay-all-issues-over-release-of-kaththi-resolved/20141021.htm |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Rediff |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208170145/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/vijay-all-issues-over-release-of-kaththi-resolved/20141021.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=TNM |date=2014-11-26 |title=Is Kaththi an example of the Tamil industry being arm-twisted? |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/kaththi-example-tamil-industry-being-arm-twisted-17868 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414045659/https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/kaththi-example-tamil-industry-being-arm-twisted-17868 |archive-date=2024-04-14 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=The News Minute |language=en}} Later, the Madras High Court allowed the producers name and the company logo to be credited on theatres, and other print media.{{Cite web |date=2014-12-12 |title=HC allows Kaththi producers to have name exhibited on prints |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/hc-allows-kaththi-producers-to-have-name-exhibited-on-prints/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018231717/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/hc-allows-kaththi-producers-to-have-name-exhibited-on-prints/ |archive-date=2015-10-18 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}

Actor Mohan Raman in his blog for The Hindu, noted on Kaththi being "the latest in a series of films that have been greeted by bans in Tamil Nadu" with other films such as Thyaga Bhoomi (1939), Parasakthi (1952), Arangetram (1973), Bombay (1995), Iruvar (1997) and the Hindi film Madras Cafe (2013).{{Cite news |last=V. Raman |first=Mohan |author-link=Mohan Raman |date=2014-11-01 |title=Our too-easily offended public |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/our-tooeasily-offended-public/article6555455.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130095558/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/our-tooeasily-offended-public/article6555455.ece |archive-date=2014-11-30 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}

Kaththi netted around {{INRConvert|23.8|c}} worldwide on the opening day of its release (22 October 2014). The film collected {{INRConvert|12.5|c}} in Tamil Nadu alone on its opening day, and registered the best opening collections in Trichy, Thanjavur, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Madurai. It reported a full 100% occupancy on the film's opening day, despite the controversies, delayed advance bookings and low-key promotions.{{Cite news |date=2014-10-23 |title=Vijay's Kaththi collects 12.5 cr on Day 1 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-kaththi-collects-12-5-cr-on-day-1/articleshow/44916552.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024220508/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-kaththi-collects-12-5-cr-on-day-1/articleshow/44916552.cms |archive-date=2014-10-24 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} The film also collected {{INRConvert|1.95|c}} in Kerala and {{INRConvert|15|c}} in Karnataka, thereby collecting an estimated {{INRConvert|15.4|c}} at the domestic box office.{{Cite web |date=2014-10-24 |title='Kaththi' mints Rs.15.4 crore on release day |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/kaththi-mints-rs-15-4-crore-on-release-day/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030203211/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/kaththi-mints-rs-15-4-crore-on-release-day/ |archive-date=2014-10-30 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |date=25 October 2014 |title=Kaththi sets new Box Office records |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kaththi-sets-new-box-office-records-224506-2014-10-25 |magazine=India Today |language=en |access-date=9 February 2022 |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |archive-date=18 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418033138/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kaththi-sets-new-box-office-records-224506-2014-10-25 |url-status=live }} At Bangalore (Karnataka), the film had earned {{INRConvert|1.03|c}} in the second day of the release (23 October 2014) and another {{INRConvert|1.5|c}} in the state, thereby bringing the two-day collections to {{INRConvert|3|c}}.

In the extended-five day weekend, the film collected {{INRConvert|71.05|c}} at the worldwide box office, and became the actor's first film to cross the {{INRConvert|50|c}} mark worldwide.{{Cite news |date=2014-10-29 |title=Vijay's Kaththi close to 100 Cr at BO |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-kaththi-close-to-100-cr-at-bo/articleshow/44968790.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101042211/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-kaththi-close-to-100-cr-at-bo/articleshow/44968790.cms |archive-date=2014-11-01 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} At the domestic box-office, the film collected around {{INRConvert|36|c}} in Tamil Nadu, {{INRConvert|50|c}} in Karnataka and {{INRConvert|55|c}} in Kerala, to achieve a net collection of {{INRConvert|47|c}} in five days.{{Cite web |date=2014-10-30 |title=Kaththi Inching Towards Rs 100 Crore Mark |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/kaththi-inching-towards-rs-100-crore-mark-686494 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203183556/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/kaththi-inching-towards-rs-100-crore-mark-686494 |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=NDTV |language=en |agency=Indo-Asian News Service}}{{Cite web |date=28 October 2014 |title=Kaththi grosses big in south |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-grosses-big-in-south-news-tamil-ok2so1daadhei.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029121337/http://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-grosses-big-in-south-news-tamil-ok2so1daadhei.html |archive-date=29 October 2014 |access-date=3 December 2024 |website=Sify}} In Chennai city alone, the film netted {{INRConvert|3.01|c}} in the first week with an average theatre occupancy of 97% and stood in the first position.{{Cite web |date=2014-10-30 |title=Tamil actor Vijay's 'Kaththi' inching towards Rs.100 crore mark |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/tamil-actor-vijays-kaththi-inching-towards-rs-100-crore-mark/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102124628/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/tamil-actor-vijays-kaththi-inching-towards-rs-100-crore-mark/ |archive-date=2014-11-02 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} The second week witnessed an occupancy of 85% in the city and netted around {{INRConvert|5.32|c}}. The film still stood at the number one position in Chennai by the third week resulting in a total collection of {{INRConvert|67.98|m}}. It surpassed the collections of Velaiilla Pattadhari, Maan Karate, Veeram and Jilla at the Chennai box-office.

Kaththi reached the {{INRConvert|100|c}} mark in 12 days of its release.{{Cite news |date=2014-11-03 |title=Vijay's Kaththi strikes 100 Cr mark |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-kaththi-strikes-100-cr-mark/articleshow/45019687.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106203630/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijays-kaththi-strikes-100-cr-mark/articleshow/45019687.cms |archive-date=2014-11-06 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} The film took a worldwide distributor share of {{INRConvert|62|c}} within twelve days of its release.{{Cite web |date=2014-11-03 |title='Kaththi' crosses Rs.100 crore mark, hat-trick for Murugadoss |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/kaththi-crosses-rs-100-crore-mark-hat-trick-for-murugadoss/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2014-11-03 |title=Kaththi Makes it a Rs 100 Crore Hattrick for Director Murugadoss |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/kaththi-makes-it-a-rs-100-crore-hattrick-for-director-murugadoss-688191 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=NDTV |language=en |agency=Indo-Asian News Service}} The film was bought for a record price in Karnataka by a leading distributor, and opened well at the box-office there.{{Cite web |title=Kaththi grosses big in South |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-grosses-big-in-south-news-tamil-ok2so1daadhei.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028204447/http://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-grosses-big-in-south-news-tamil-ok2so1daadhei.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 October 2014 |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Sify |language=en}} The film collected around {{INRConvert|36|c}} in Tamil Nadu, {{INRConvert|5|c}} in Karnataka and {{INRConvert|5.5|c}} in Kerala in five days. After a long run for nine weeks at the Chennai box office, the film netted around {{INRConvert|7.83|c}}. Kaththi completed a 100 days theatrical run on 29 January 2015.{{Cite news |date=2015-01-29 |title=Back to back tons for Vijay-AR Murugadoss |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/back-to-back-tons-for-vijay-ar-murugadoss/articleshow/46051761.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202200329/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/back-to-back-tons-for-vijay-ar-murugadoss/articleshow/46051761.cms |archive-date=2015-02-02 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

The film earned $142,805 in its USA premiere on 21 October 2014. It is considered to be an "all-time record for a non-Rajinikanth film in the US" and became the second Tamil-film to gross $100,000 besides and surpassing Enthiran (2010). Within five days of its release, the film surpassed the $5,00,000 mark.{{Cite web |date=27 October 2014 |title='Kaththi' creates a new record in USA! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-creates-a-new-record-in-usa-news-tamil-ok1jMbedgadcj.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028104930/http://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-creates-a-new-record-in-usa-news-tamil-ok1jMbedgadcj.html |archive-date=28 October 2014 |access-date=3 December 2024 |website=Sify}} Kaththi became the highest grossing Tamil film of 2014 in US. In France, Kaththi opened with about {{INRConvert|3.1|m}} which is a new record for an Indian film. The distributor Ayngaran International stated that Kaththi had the biggest opening for a Tamil film in UK since it released in over 70 screens there and also topped the weekend box office in Malaysia. It also has set new records in Singapore grossing over $201,408.{{Cite web |title='Kaththi' opens well in international markets |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-opens-well-in-international-markets-news-tamil-okykJMhhchcdc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024125924/http://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-opens-well-in-international-markets-news-tamil-okykJMhhchcdc.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 October 2014 |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Sify |language=en}} In the UK box office it grossed £319,310 in 12 days. In Australia, Kaththi collected $160,890 and has surpassed the opening weekend collection of Kochadaiyaan ($119,597) and Anjaan ($107,013) for 2014. The film had a lifetime business of over A$194,341 in Australia and became the highest grossing Tamil film of the year there.[http://www.metromasti.com/kollywood/gossip/Kaththi-23rd-day-collection-Kathi-Australia-box-office-14112014/49551 Kaththi 23rd day collection Kathi Australia box office 14.11.2014 | Gossip] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129034641/http://www.metromasti.com/kollywood/gossip/Kaththi-23rd-day-collection-Kathi-Australia-box-office-14112014/49551 |date=29 November 2014 }}. Metromasti.com (14 November 2014). Retrieved 27 September 2016. The film made approximately $1.86 million in Malaysia and emerged as the third highest Tamil grosser there. As per NDTV, the film's worldwide gross was reported to be around {{INRConvert|128|c|year=2014}}.

A critic from Sify gave Kaththi 4 out of 5 and stated, "the movie is a well made entertainer with a powerful message".{{Cite web |date=22 October 2014 |title=Kaththi Review |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi--review-tamil-pcmbz6hbbiced.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022142549/http://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-review-tamil-15058491.html |archive-date=22 October 2014 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Sify}} S. Saraswathi of Rediff stated, "Kaththi attempts to highlight the pathetic condition of farmers, whose lives are being destroyed by callous multinational corporations" and rated it 3 out of 5 as well.{{Cite web |last=Saraswathi |first=S. |date=22 October 2014 |title=Review: Kaththi entertains with a message |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-kaththi-entertains-with-a-message/20141022.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208174959/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-kaththi-entertains-with-a-message/20141022.htm |archive-date=8 February 2022 |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=Rediff.com |language=en}} Arathi Kannan of Onmanorama rated 3.25 out of 5 and wrote "The screenplay could have benefited with some good writing; to actually be narrating pertinent issues inside the fabric of an entertainer doesn't quite justify it. In here, it's as though directors Mani Ratnam and Shankar thrashed out the outline over a cup of tea and left it behind for Murugadoss' treatment. That wasn't the best of ideas, but it just might work very well."{{Cite web |last=Kannan |first=Arathi |date=2014-10-24 |title=Kaththi: Double-edged sword |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/vijay-kaththi-movie-review-double-edged-sword.amp.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203183542/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/vijay-kaththi-movie-review-double-edged-sword.amp.html |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Onmanorama}}

Anupama Subramanian of Deccan Chronicle gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and stated, "Vijay as Kathiresan in an author backed role does a neat job to satiate his fans playing his role packing with punches, humor, romance, right emotions and of course his forte – breezy dance movements. Vijay's lengthy speech with the press towards the end earns lot of appreciation. On the contrary, the director has etched a weak characterization for Jeevanandham, who fights for a cause, but beyond that he is projected neither brainy nor brawny. Murugadoss brings to the fore critical social issues like farmers suicide, water scarcity, etc, but at times it looks too preachy. Wish Murugadoss could have opted for a tauter screenplay."{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=24 October 2014 |title=Movie review Kaththi: A little too preachy |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141023/entertainment-kollywood/article/movie-review-kaththi |access-date=21 October 2020 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026082512/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141023/entertainment-kollywood/article/movie-review-kaththi |url-status=live }} Ananda Vikatan rated the film 42 out of 100.{{Cite web |last=சார்லஸ் |first=தேவன் |date=22 June 2021 |title=பீஸ்ட் : 'நாளைய தீர்ப்பு' டு 'மாஸ்டர்'... விஜய்க்கு விகடனின் மார்க்கும், விமர்சனமும் என்ன? #Beast |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/how-vijay-movies-scored-in-vikatan-reviews |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008100344/https://cinema.vikatan.com/amp/story/tamil-cinema/how-vijay-movies-scored-in-vikatan-reviews |archive-date=8 October 2021 |access-date=7 December 2021 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}}

In contrast, Baradwaj Rangan of The Hindu wrote "The ideas are snappy – the reveal of the person injured in a shootout; the identity of a couple of television reporters – but the staging is shockingly flat."{{Cite news |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |date=22 October 2014 |title=Kaththi review: Beneath the flab, some solid masala moments |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/kaththi-review-beneath-the-flab-some-solidmasalamoments/article6527130.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218075307/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/kaththi-review-beneath-the-flab-some-solidmasalamoments/article6527130.ece |archive-date=18 December 2021 |access-date=8 February 2022 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} M. Suganth of The Times of India gave 3 stars out of 5 and wrote, "unlike Thuppakki, the previous Murugadoss-Vijay effort, Kaththi is overlong, over-the-top, over-familiar, and overtly preachy".Suganth, M. (22 October 2014). [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Kaththi/movie-review/44910040.cms "Kaththi Movie Review"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812003512/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Kaththi/movie-review/44910040.cms|date=12 August 2015}}. The Times of India. Retrieved 27 September 2016. Writing for India Today, Haricharan Pudipeddi gave 2.5 out of 5 and summarised "Kaththi is a commercial film and naturally audiences except some heroism, action and romance in it. But here Murugadoss has portrayed his hero as a messiah, a man of the masses willing to even sacrifice his life."{{Cite web |last=Pudipeddi |first=Haricharan |date=23 October 2014 |title=Movie Review: Kaththi |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/kaththi-movie-review-unrealistic-and-preachy-224315-2014-10-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023032512/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/kaththi-movie-review-unrealistic-and-preachy-224315-2014-10-23 |archive-date=23 October 2020 |access-date=21 October 2020 |website=India Today |language=en}}

{{main|List of accolades received by Kaththi}}Kaththi received eight nominations at the 62nd edition of Filmfare Awards South and won three — Best Film, Best Director (Murugadoss) and Best Choreography (Shobi).{{Cite web |date=3 June 2015 |title=Nominations for the 62nd Britannia Filmfare Awards (South) |url=http://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-for-the-62nd-britannia-filmfare-awards-south-9405.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621123143/http://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-for-the-62nd-britannia-filmfare-awards-south-9405.html |archive-date=21 June 2015 |access-date=21 June 2015 |website=Filmfare}}{{Cite news |date=27 June 2015 |title=Winners list: 62nd Filmfare Awards (South) |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Winners-list-62nd-Filmfare-Awards-South/articleshow/47836755.cms |url-status=live |access-date=27 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627160113/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Winners-list-62nd-Filmfare-Awards-South/articleshow/47836755.cms |archive-date=27 June 2015}} It was nominated at ten categories at the 9th Vijay Awards, winning two — Favourite Film and Favourite Director (Murugadoss),{{Cite web |date=26 April 2015 |title=Vijay Awards 2015 – Complete list of winners |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/vijay-awards-2015-complete-list-of-winners-news-tamil-pe0nhUfhdeigd.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505133454/http://www.sify.com/movies/vijay-awards-2015-complete-list-of-winners-news-tamil-pe0nhUfhdeigd.html |archive-date=5 May 2015 |access-date=5 May 2015 |website=Sify}} and seven categories at the 4th South Indian International Movie Awards and won four awards: Best Film, Best Actor in a Negative Role (Neil), Best Fight Choreographer (Anal Arasu) and Best Dance Choreographer (Shobi).{{Cite web |date=16 June 2015 |title=SIIMA 2015 nominations |url=http://siima.in/nominees-2015.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616095000/http://siima.in/nominees-2015.php |archive-date=16 June 2015 |access-date=21 June 2015 |website=South Indian International Movie Awards}}{{Cite news |date=8 August 2015 |title=SIIMA Awards 2015 Tamil winners list |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/SIIMA-Awards-2015-Tamil-winners-list/articleshow/48399961.cms |url-status=live |access-date=9 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809060838/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/SIIMA-Awards-2015-Tamil-winners-list/articleshow/48399961.cms |archive-date=9 August 2015}} It was nominated in three categories at the inaugural IIFA Utsavam awards, where it fetched the award for Best Music Director (Ravichander), the only win in that ceremony.{{Cite web |title=IIFA Utsavam 2015 Nominees — Tamil |url=http://www.iifautsavam.com/nominees-tam.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704081611/http://www.iifautsavam.com/nominees-tam.html |archive-date=4 July 2017 |access-date=4 July 2017 |website=IIFA Utsavam}}{{Cite web |title=IIFA Utsavam 2015 |url=http://iifautsavam.com/awards.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704081617/http://iifautsavam.com/awards.html |archive-date=4 July 2017 |access-date=4 July 2017 |website=IIFA Utsavam}} Among other wins, the film received three Edison Awards and one Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards.{{Cite web |date=8 January 2015 |title=ஆனந்த விகடன் விருதுகள் 2014 |trans-title=Ananda Vikatan Awards 2014 |url=http://www.vikatan.com/article.php?track=prnxt&mid=module&aid=102483 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517081734/http://www.vikatan.com/article.php?track=prnxt&mid=module&aid=102483 |archive-date=17 May 2017 |access-date=3 July 2017 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=Tamil}} It also received a nomination for Best Social Awareness at the Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards, but it lost to Sigaram Thodu (2014).{{Cite web |date=10 March 2015 |title=Norway Tamil Film Festival 2015 – Tamilar Awards Nomination 2015. |url=http://www.ntff.no/node/124 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703084210/http://www.ntff.no/node/124 |archive-date=3 July 2017 |access-date=3 July 2017 |website=Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards}}{{Cite web |date=15 March 2015 |title=The 6th annual Norway Tamil Film Festival – Tamilar Awards 2015 Winners announced! |url=http://www.ntff.no/node/125 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703084344/http://www.ntff.no/node/125 |archive-date=3 July 2017 |access-date=3 July 2017 |website=Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards}}

The film's Telugu remake was eventually planned by few distributors before the release,{{Cite web |date=27 October 2014 |title=Telugu film producers queue up for Kaththi remake rights |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/telugu-film-producers-queue-up-for-kaththi-remake-rights/story-6UlYOwx8C5RKzQGpAbbxyJ.html |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160930/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/telugu-film-producers-queue-up-for-kaththi-remake-rights/story-6UlYOwx8C5RKzQGpAbbxyJ.html |url-status=live }} but in November 2014, the distributor B. Madhu had claimed that there will not be a Telugu remake of this film. In April 2015, plans for remaking the film in Telugu reportedly progressed with N. T. Rama Rao Jr. playing the lead role.{{Cite web |date=11 April 2015 |title=Jr. NTR in Telugu remake of 'Kaththi'? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/jr-ntr-in-telugu-remake-of-kaththi/ |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160928/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/jr-ntr-in-telugu-remake-of-kaththi/ |url-status=live }} In October, it was announced that Chiranjeevi will star in the remake, which would be directed by V. V. Vinayak and his 150th film as a lead actor.{{Cite magazine |date=2 October 2015 |title=Chiranjeevi may star in the Telugu remake of Vijay's Kaththi |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/chiranjeevi-may-star-in-the-telugu-remake-of-vijays-kaththi-266090-2015-10-02 |magazine=India Today |language=en |access-date=9 February 2022 |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160931/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/chiranjeevi-may-star-in-the-telugu-remake-of-vijays-kaththi-266090-2015-10-02 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2 October 2015 |title=Chiranjeevi may star in Telugu remake of 'Kaththi' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/chiranjeevi-may-star-in-telugu-remake-of-kaththi/ |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160930/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/chiranjeevi-may-star-in-telugu-remake-of-kaththi/ |url-status=live }} It was officially confirmed in December 2015, with Chiranjeevi's son Ram Charan making his debut as a producer,{{Cite web |title=Ram Charan confirms 'Kaththi' remake for his dad! |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/ram-charan-confirms-kaththi-remake-for-his-dad-news-tamil-pmonO9ejcjcaj.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217210726/http://www.sify.com/movies/ram-charan-confirms-kaththi-remake-for-his-dad-news-tamil-pmonO9ejcjcaj.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 December 2015 |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Sify |language=en}} by financing the project under Konidela Production Company.{{Cite magazine |date=14 December 2015 |title=Chiru 150: Megastar Chiranjeevi to act in Telugu remake of Vijay's Kaththi |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/chiru-150-megastar-chiranjeevi-to-act-in-telugu-remake-of-vijays-kaththi-277135-2015-12-14 |magazine=India Today |language=en |access-date=9 February 2022 |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160928/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/chiru-150-megastar-chiranjeevi-to-act-in-telugu-remake-of-vijays-kaththi-277135-2015-12-14 |url-status=live }} The film titled Khaidi No. 150, was directed by V. V. Vinayak and released in January 2017.{{Cite web |date=3 January 2017 |title=Chiranjeevi's Khaidi No 150 finally gets a release date. It's January 11 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/chiranjeevis-khaidi-no-150-finally-gets-a-release-date-its-january-11-4457374/ |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160928/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/chiranjeevis-khaidi-no-150-finally-gets-a-release-date-its-january-11-4457374/ |url-status=live }} In July 2019, it was reported that the film will be remade in Hindi as Ikka,{{Cite news |date=31 July 2019 |title=Vijay's 'Kaththi' to be remade as 'Ikka' in Hindi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/vijays-kaththi-to-be-remade-as-ikka-in-hindi/article28767846.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421203319/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/vijays-kaththi-to-be-remade-as-ikka-in-hindi/article28767846.ece |archive-date=21 April 2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |title=Akshay Kumar to star in Hindi remake of Vijay's Kaththi? |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/jul/30/akshay-kumar-to-star-in-hindi-remake-of-vijays-kaththi-13297.html |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Cinema Express |date=30 July 2019 |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160928/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/jul/30/akshay-kumar-to-star-in-hindi-remake-of-vijays-kaththi-13297.html |url-status=live }} starring Akshay Kumar and would be directed by Jagan Shakti.{{Cite web |date=30 July 2019 |title=Hindi remake of Kaththi to go on floors soon |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/hindi-remake-of-kaththi-to-go-on-floors-soon-5862590/ |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160932/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/hindi-remake-of-kaththi-to-go-on-floors-soon-5862590/ |url-status=live }} The film was expected to begin production in late-2019, was shelved in December 2020, after the co-producer Fox Star Studios exited from the film production in India.{{Cite web |date=29 December 2020 |title=Fox Star Studios' exit from film business puts a question mark over its three-film deal with Akshay Kumar |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/fox-star-studioss-exit-film-business-puts-question-mark-three-film-deal-akshay-kumar/ |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Bollywood Hungama |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209162431/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/fox-star-studioss-exit-film-business-puts-question-mark-three-film-deal-akshay-kumar/ |url-status=live }}{{Efn|Later re-branded as Star Studios after the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney, that led to the removal of "Fox" name and actively producing films in Bollywood.{{Cite web |date=27 May 2022 |title=Fox Star Studios rebrands to Star Studios |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/fox-star-studios-rebrands-to-star-studios/article65466364.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628175509/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/fox-star-studios-rebrands-to-star-studios/article65466364.ece |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=28 May 2022 |website=The Hindu}}}}

Kaththi eventually featured in the list of "Best Tamil Films of 2014" by various publications including The Hindu and Sify.{{Cite news |date=27 December 2014 |title=Our top 20 Tamil films |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tamil-films-2014-our-top-20/article6730718.ece/photo/19/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160931/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tamil-films-2014-our-top-20/article6730718.ece/photo/19/ |archive-date=9 February 2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |title=Top 10 Tamil films at the box-office |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/top-10-tamil-films-at-the-box-office-imagegallery-kollywood-pbdmrucgifiac.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103084544/http://www.sify.com/movies/top-10-tamil-films-at-the-box-office-imagegallery-kollywood-pbdmrucgifiac.html |archive-date=3 January 2015 |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Sify |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=24 December 2014 |title=5 reasons why Tamil films rocked in 2014 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/5-reasons-why-tamil-films-rocked-in-2014/story-sn8HLyxSE8aulN9lHhD0NJ.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160928/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/5-reasons-why-tamil-films-rocked-in-2014/story-sn8HLyxSE8aulN9lHhD0NJ.html |archive-date=9 February 2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} According to Nivedita Mishra of Hindustan Times, the film "set records through box-office and social media". Srivatsan S. of The Hindu called it as one of the "best masala films of the decade in Tamil cinema"{{Cite news |last=S |first=Srivatsan |date=2 December 2019 |title='Thuppakki' to 'Petta': Tamil cinema's 15 best masala movies of the decade |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/thuppakki-to-petta-tamil-cinemas-15-best-masala-movies-of-the-decade/article30138904.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160929/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/thuppakki-to-petta-tamil-cinemas-15-best-masala-movies-of-the-decade/article30138904.ece |archive-date=9 February 2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} and one of the "films with best 'mass' music being featured in the last decade in Tamil cinema".{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Pradeep |date=16 December 2019 |title=Ten Tamil films from the last decade with the best 'mass' music: 'Theri', 'Mankatha' and more |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/ten-tamil-films-from-the-last-decade-with-the-best-mass-music-theri-mankatha-and-more/article30320128.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160933/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/ten-tamil-films-from-the-last-decade-with-the-best-mass-music-theri-mankatha-and-more/article30320128.ece |archive-date=9 February 2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} Kaththi which became the first in mainstream Tamil cinema to introduce the concept of "first look" and "motion poster", became one of the "best first looks designed for Vijay's films" according to Times Now News.{{Cite web |date=20 June 2021 |title=Thalapathy Vijay's refreshing first look posters that you must watch once |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tamil/article/thalapathy-vijays-refreshing-first-look-posters/773032 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160928/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tamil/article/thalapathy-vijays-refreshing-first-look-posters/773032 |archive-date=9 February 2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Times Now News |language=en}} It has also been noted as one of the popular films that created buzz with its title announcement; this trend was then followed by Valimai and Vikram (both 2022), and Vijay's Leo (2023).{{Cite news |date=2023-02-04 |title='Leo' to 'Kaththi', title announcements that created a huge buzz in Kollywood |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/leo-to-vikram-title-announcements-that-created-a-huge-buzz-in-kollywood/photostory/97578243.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211134113/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/leo-to-vikram-title-announcements-that-created-a-huge-buzz-in-kollywood/photostory/97578243.cms |archive-date=2023-12-11 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Times of India}} Kaththi was also the first Tamil film that did not contain disclaimer about smoking and drinking, as there were no smoking or drinking scenes being featured in the film.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title=No smoking scenes in 'Kaththi': Rathna Kumar's old post resurfaces amid 'Leo' row |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/no-smoking-scenes-in-kaththi-rathna-kumars-old-post-resurfaces-amid-leo-row-2446881-2023-10-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016121220/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/no-smoking-scenes-in-kaththi-rathna-kumars-old-post-resurfaces-amid-leo-row-2446881-2023-10-10 |archive-date=2023-10-16 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=India Today |language=en}}{{efn|Moondru Per Moondru Kaadhal (2013) which released a year before Kaththi too did not contain disclaimer about drinking and smoking.{{Cite news |title=Kollywood directors side with Anurag Kashyap |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kollywood-directors-side-with-anurag-kashyap/articleshow/26532119.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211124432/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kollywood-directors-side-with-anurag-kashyap/articleshow/26532119.cms |archive-date=11 February 2022 |access-date=11 February 2022 |work=The Times of India}}}} Other films which followed the similar pattern, were Miruthan (2016),{{Cite web |date=2016-07-07 |title=How the Swiss 'laughed' at smoking disclaimer in Miruthan |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/how-the-swiss-laughed-at-smoking-disclaimer-in-miruthan/story-zBLp0MUzX9FYRK9SscTvRL.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930182020/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/how-the-swiss-laughed-at-smoking-disclaimer-in-miruthan/story-zBLp0MUzX9FYRK9SscTvRL.html |archive-date=2016-09-30 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Hindustan Times}}{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=2016-07-12 |title=Smoking disclaimer made audience laugh: Anurag Kashyap |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/120716/smoking-disclaimer-made-audience-laugh-anurag-kashyap.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123194229/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/120716/smoking-disclaimer-made-audience-laugh-anurag-kashyap.html |archive-date=2016-11-23 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}} Spyder (2017),{{Cite web |date=6 September 2017 |title=SPYder to steer clear of drinking, smoking scenes; SJ Suryah likes his green tea shaken, not stirred |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/spyder-to-steer-clear-of-drinking-smoking-scenes-sj-suryah-likes-his-green-tea-shaken-not-stirred-4013965.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160929/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/spyder-to-steer-clear-of-drinking-smoking-scenes-sj-suryah-likes-his-green-tea-shaken-not-stirred-4013965.html |archive-date=9 February 2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Firstpost |language=en}} Thaanaa Serndha Koottam (2018){{Cite web |date=10 January 2018 |title=No smoking or drinking scenes in Suriya's Thaanaa Serndha Koottam |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/no-smoking-or-drinking-scenes-in-suriyas-thaana-serndha-kootam-5013119/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160930/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/no-smoking-or-drinking-scenes-in-suriyas-thaana-serndha-kootam-5013119/ |archive-date=9 February 2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=5 January 2018 |title=Thaanaa Serndha Koottam: Suriya says there will be no smoking/drinking disclaimer in the film |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/thaanaa-serndha-koottam-suriya-says-there-will-be-no-smokingdrinking-disclaimer-in-the-film-4288329.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160929/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/thaanaa-serndha-koottam-suriya-says-there-will-be-no-smokingdrinking-disclaimer-in-the-film-4288329.html |archive-date=9 February 2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Firstpost |language=en}} and Hero (2019).{{Cite web |date=9 July 2020 |title=[VIDEO] Here is why Sivakarthikeyan never smoked a cigarette or drank alcohol |url=https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/tamil-cinema/article/video-here-is-why-sivakarthikeyan-never-smoked-a-cigarette-or-drank-alcohol/618715 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160930/https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/tamil-cinema/article/video-here-is-why-sivakarthikeyan-never-smoked-a-cigarette-or-drank-alcohol/618715 |archive-date=9 February 2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=zoomtventertainment.com |language=en}}

Social media and news articles cited Kaththi as one of Vijay's films that elevated him to the path of super-stardom, that eventually continued after the success of Mersal (2017), Sarkar (2018) and Bigil (2019).{{Cite web |date=22 June 2019 |title=Tracing the journey of Thalapathy |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/tracing-the-journey-of-thalapathy-vijay-5794294/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160934/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/tracing-the-journey-of-thalapathy-vijay-5794294/ |archive-date=9 February 2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Jha |first=Lata |date=8 March 2019 |title=If it's a superstar, he is a South Indian Hero |url=https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/if-it-s-a-superstar-he-is-a-south-indian-hero-1551999719784.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160933/https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/if-it-s-a-superstar-he-is-a-south-indian-hero-1551999719784.html |archive-date=9 February 2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=mint |language=en}} Irrespective of the controversies, the film became a profitable venture for its producers Lyca Productions.{{Cite news |date=2015-12-23 |title=The business of films and the politics behind it |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/The-business-of-films-and-the-politics-behind-it/article60284071.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203184135/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/The-business-of-films-and-the-politics-behind-it/article60284071.ece |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} The film's success also led Lyca to become one of the popular film production and distribution studios in Tamil cinema,{{Cite news |last=Naig |first=Udhav |date=27 February 2016 |title=Telecom our primary business, making movies my passion |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/telecom-our-primary-business-making-movies-my-passion/article8287450.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210145240/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/telecom-our-primary-business-making-movies-my-passion/article8287450.ece |archive-date=10 February 2022 |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} whose notable ventures include Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015), Visaranai (2015), Kolamaavu Kokila, Vada Chennai and 2.0 (2018), which was considered to be the most expensive Indian film to that point.{{Cite magazine |date=23 November 2018 |title=Shankar reveals budget of Rajinikanth's 2.0 and it will blow your mind |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/director-shankar-2-0-budget-rajinikanth-akshay-kumar-1394579-2018-11-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210145240/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/director-shankar-2-0-budget-rajinikanth-akshay-kumar-1394579-2018-11-23 |archive-date=10 February 2022 |access-date=10 February 2022 |magazine=India Today |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=3 November 2018 |title=2.0 budget: Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar set to wow you, but the cost claim will shock you |url=https://www.zeebiz.com/india/photo-gallery-20-budget-rajinikanth-akshay-kumar-set-to-wow-you-but-the-cost-claim-will-shock-you-70124 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210145241/https://www.zeebiz.com/india/photo-gallery-20-budget-rajinikanth-akshay-kumar-set-to-wow-you-but-the-cost-claim-will-shock-you-70124 |archive-date=10 February 2022 |access-date=10 February 2022 |website=Zee Business}}

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| quote = "It is not like there haven't been movies centred around farmers or spoke about their issues in the past. But there are two different aspects to that. If the movie's overall design has a farmer at the centre, like Lenin Bharathi's slightly arty Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018), then there is absolutely no room for doubts over the film's intent [...] Case two is when filmmakers milk a societal issue to its maximum potential, to elicit responses from the audience. That is when the problem arises."

| source = — Srinivasa Ramanujam, Srivatsan S., Pradeep Kumar and Gautam Sunder of The Hindu, stating about the increase of films with the farmer's issue, being featured as a sub-plot.{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=Srinivasa |last2=S |first2=Srivatsan |last3=Kumar |first3=Pradeep |last4=Sunder |first4=Gautam |date=2019-12-26 |title=Decoding the decade's top 10 trends in Tamil cinema |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/decoding-the-decades-top-10-trends-in-tamil-cinema/article30403572.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813161612/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/decoding-the-decades-top-10-trends-in-tamil-cinema/article30403572.ece |archive-date=13 August 2021 |access-date=2022-02-09 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}

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Kaththi's success led several filmmakers to direct films based on agriculture and problems faced by farmers.{{Cite web |last=துரை.நாகராஜன் |date=22 July 2019 |title=தமிழ் சினிமாவில் பெருகும் விவசாயப் படங்கள், உண்மையில் விவசாயத்தைப் பேசுகிறதா?! |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/the-truth-about-agriculture-based-movies-in-tamil-cinema |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160930/https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/the-truth-about-agriculture-based-movies-in-tamil-cinema |archive-date=9 February 2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}} The interest eventually showed a steeping growth after the 2017 pro-jallikattu protests and the month-long Tamil Nadu Farmers protest happening in the same year, with film-makers covering the subject to cope with the general sentiments of the public.{{Cite web |date=29 June 2019 |title=இது டிரெண்ட்: விவசாயத்துக்கு மாறும் தமிழ் சினிமா |url=https://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/newsview/50346/Tamil-cinema-directors-has-moved-to-agriculture |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160931/https://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/newsview/50346/Tamil-cinema-directors-has-moved-to-agriculture |archive-date=9 February 2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Puthiyathalaimurai |language=ta}} As a result, several Tamil films based on farming and agriculture were produced in the last few years. Sowmya Rajendran of The News Minute had said that "From 'mother sentiment', films have now moved to 'farmer sentiment'". In its article to The Hindu, about the "decade's top 10 trends in Tamil cinema", editors Srinivasa Ramanujam, Srivatsan S., Pradeep Kumar and Gautam Sunder opined that the farmer's issue is "the hottest sub-genre in Tamil cinema, and has become an easy gateway for filmmakers to package 'valuable' messages". This eventually became a subject of criticism from cinephiles, as the trope being felt "repetitive" and "formulaic"{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=Srinivasa |date=9 September 2021 |title='Laabam' movie review: Vijay Sethupathi is the 'Master' now, delivering a social studies lecture |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/laabam-movie-review-vijay-sethupathi-is-the-master-now-delivering-a-social-studies-lecture/article36379199.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024133653/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/laabam-movie-review-vijay-sethupathi-is-the-master-now-delivering-a-social-studies-lecture/article36379199.ece |archive-date=24 October 2021 |access-date=9 February 2022 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Pradeep |date=14 January 2021 |title='Bhoomi' movie review: A poorly-conceived formula film |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/bhoomi-movie-review-a-poorly-conceived-formula-film/article33574772.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160928/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/bhoomi-movie-review-a-poorly-conceived-formula-film/article33574772.ece |archive-date=9 February 2022 |access-date=9 February 2022 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} and the commercial factors divert the "message regarding the problems faced by farmers in India".

The scene where Kathiresan (Vijay) visualises a floor plan in three-dimensions was parodied by Neeraj Madhav in Adi Kapyare Kootamani (2015) and Sivakarthikeyan in Rajinimurugan (2016).{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBE2srfHGvw |title=Rajinimurugan |date=14 January 2016 |type=Motion picture |language=Tamil |publisher=Thirrupathi Brothers |access-date=9 February 2022 |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160929/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBE2srfHGvw |url-status=live }} Kathiresan's introduction in the pipeline was spoofed by Vishal in Kaththi Sandai.{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=24 December 2016 |title=Kaththi Sandai movie review: Vishal can't save wafer-thin plot |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/241216/kaththi-sandai-moie-review-vishal-cant-save-wafter-thin-plot.html |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160929/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/241216/kaththi-sandai-moie-review-vishal-cant-save-wafter-thin-plot.html |url-status=live }} In the 2017 film Balloon, actor Jai walks with an iron rod to beat up a group of goons, which was similar to the coin fight scene in the film, and the instrumental theme "The Sword of Destiny" was mimicked in the background.{{Cite web |date=19 June 2017 |title=Balloon teaser: Jai, Anjali's film promises a gut-wrenching horror thriller. Watch video |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/balloon-teaser-jai-anjali-film-promises-a-gut-wrenching-horror-thriller-watch-video-4712173/ |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160936/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/balloon-teaser-jai-anjali-film-promises-a-gut-wrenching-horror-thriller-watch-video-4712173/ |url-status=live }} Jai's character in the film was named Jeevandhanam, similar to one of the characters played by Vijay.{{Cite web |date=29 December 2017 |title=Balloon movie review: A gripping horror-comedy with entertaining action scenes |url=http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/balloon-movie-review-a-gripping-horror-comedy-with-entertaining-action-scenes-4280563.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130204307/http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/balloon-movie-review-a-gripping-horror-comedy-with-entertaining-action-scenes-4280563.html |archive-date=30 January 2018 |access-date=30 January 2018 |website=Firstpost}}{{Cite news |last1=Ramanujam |first1=Srinivasa |date=29 December 2017 |title='Balloon' review: Running out of air |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/balloon-the-familiar-ghost/article22326951.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118042332/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/balloon-the-familiar-ghost/article22326951.ece |archive-date=18 January 2018 |access-date=30 January 2018 |newspaper=The Hindu}} The extended press conference scene featured in the film was spoofed in Tamizh Padam 2 (2018).{{Cite web |last=Rajendran |first=Sowmya |date=2018-07-13 |title=CS Amudhan's 'Tamizh Padam 2' speaks the truth about female characters in Kollywood |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/cs-amudhans-tamizh-padam-2-speaks-truth-about-female-characters-kollywood-84716 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217194613/https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/cs-amudhans-tamizh-padam-2-speaks-truth-about-female-characters-kollywood-84716 |archive-date=2023-12-17 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}

The 2019 Tamil film Boomerang, was said to be heavily inspired from the film, as the lead actor Atharvaa played dual roles and it also dealt with farmers' issue.{{Cite magazine |last=Kirubhakar Purushothaman |date=8 March 2019 |title=Boomerang movie review: Atharvaa's film is not as sharp as Vijay's Kaththi |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/boomerang-movie-review-athravaa-s-film-is-not-as-sharp-as-vijay-s-kaththi-1473561-2019-03-08 |magazine=India Today |language=en |access-date=9 February 2022 |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209162434/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/boomerang-movie-review-athravaa-s-film-is-not-as-sharp-as-vijay-s-kaththi-1473561-2019-03-08 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=9 March 2019 |title=Boomerang movie review: Atharvaa starrer is a socio-political thriller that neither entertains nor inspires |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/boomerang-movie-review-atharvaa-starrer-is-a-socio-political-thriller-that-neither-entertains-nor-inspires/story-0oPAAOeQ0UyCSHrhoB90iI.html |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160928/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/boomerang-movie-review-atharvaa-starrer-is-a-socio-political-thriller-that-neither-entertains-nor-inspires/story-0oPAAOeQ0UyCSHrhoB90iI.html |url-status=live }} The Telugu film Maharshi, which was released in the same year, starring Mahesh Babu has said to be influenced by Kaththi as both the films focus on agriculture.{{Cite web |date=9 May 2019 |title=Maharshi movie review: A predictable star vehicle for Mahesh Babu with a workable emotional core |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/maharshi-movie-review-a-predictable-star-vehicle-for-mahesh-babu-with-a-workable-emotional-core/story-m9MzcYom52ZU8JjEcHAlKJ.html |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160932/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/maharshi-movie-review-a-predictable-star-vehicle-for-mahesh-babu-with-a-workable-emotional-core/story-m9MzcYom52ZU8JjEcHAlKJ.html |url-status=live }} Janani K. of India Today gave a mixed review for the film and wrote: "Mahesh Babu gets his own underwhelming Kaththi".{{Cite magazine |last=Janani K. |date=9 May 2019 |title=Maharshi Movie Review: Mahesh Babu gets his own underwhelming Kaththi |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/maharshi-movie-review-mahesh-babu-gets-his-own-underwhelming-version-of-kaththi-1520830-2019-05-09 |magazine=India Today |language=en |access-date=9 February 2022 |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209160928/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/maharshi-movie-review-mahesh-babu-gets-his-own-underwhelming-version-of-kaththi-1520830-2019-05-09 |url-status=live }}

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