It became the quickest film at the time to collect ₹1 billion domestically and broke several box office records.

Unlike typical action films of the era, Chennai Express does not take itself too seriously. Khan’s character is a deconstruction of his own superstar persona; he plays a coward who prefers running away over confrontation, only rising to the occasion when pushed to the brink. This subversion provides a fresh layer of comedy, making the film an engaging watch. The writing, while reliant on slapstick, manages to deliver memorable one-liners and a heartwarming chemistry between the leads, anchoring the high-octane plot in emotional reality.