Dil Raju has once again taken a massive risk with Toxic, this time as the distributor of the Telugu version in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. But the film’s early response has already put that gamble under pressure.
Over the last few years, Dil Raju has been associated with films such as Shaakuntalam, The Family Star, Game Changer and Thammudu. All four received disastrous responses from audiences and critics and were mostly washouts at the box office. Now, Toxic has also opened to mixed to negative reactions from fans and audiences.
There are whispers in the industry that Dil Raju paid around Rs. 80 crores as an advance for Toxic’s AP and Telangana rights. He reportedly took the risk because KVN had assured him that he would get the rights to Chiranjeevi’s Kaaka at a reasonable price if Toxic failed.
However, fresh reports suggest that Dil Raju’s risk is not as high as it may appear. He reportedly acquired the Nizam and Andhra rights on a returnable advance basis instead of a standard purchase deal.
There is reportedly an agreement between KVN and Yash that protects the distributors. If Toxic does not perform well, the money will be returned to the distributors within 15 days. This means Dil Raju and the local buyers in the Telugu states are protected from upfront losses, while the main financial risk remains with the producers.
So, reports claiming that Dil Raju is going to lose heavily with Toxic may not be accurate.
Overall, Toxic reportedly needs around Rs. 90-100 crores share in the Telugu states to reach breakeven, even by conservative estimates. The morning and noon Day 1 shows opened to full houses, but the audience response has been mixed to negative. From tomorrow, the real test begins.
Dil Raju’s time has not been particularly good in recent years. Sankranthiki Vasthunam remains his only BIG profitable venture during this period. However, Toxic may not be the huge financial risk that some reports are making it out to be.
Where this gamble finally lands will be clear only after Toxic completes its theatrical run.
