Vishwaroopam 1 received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its action sequences, music, and Vishal's performance. The film was a commercial success, grossing approximately ₹60 crore at the box office.
While the DTH plan was eventually dropped in favor of a traditional theatrical release, the massive hype generated by this controversy created an insatiable appetite for the film. When the movie faced a temporary 15-day ban in Tamil Nadu due to alleged religious sensitivities, the demand skyrocketed.