This Diwali week saw the release of four Telugu films: Mithra Mandali, Dude, Telusu Kada, and K-Ramp. All four films hit theatres with reasonable expectations and were also released in North America.
However, none of these films have managed to generate super-hit buzz. They received mostly mixed reviews from audiences, which has reflected in slower-than-expected bookings. For all four films, weekend box office performance will be critical in reaching a safe revenue zone.
Mithra Mandali, which was released first on October 16, opened below expectations and with negative talk. Including premieres, it collected only $56K, while its break-even target stands at $300,000. It remains to be seen whether weekend collections and the full theatrical run can push it past that mark. As of now it seems impossible and is heading towards massive disaster.
The other two films, Dude and Telusu Kada, released on October 17. Telusu Kada managed an opening of $270K, but its break-even valued is $1.5 million. This means the film will need a huge boost in the coming days to avoid losses.
K-Ramp, which released most recently, received mixed feedback from audiences. However, some centers reported decent occupancies in the night shows. However, overall reviews on social media are mixed, and opening day numbers remain poor in north America with $96K.
Among the four films, Dude is performing comparatively better in North America. Its premieres and first-day collections have reached $481K, film needs a strong second weekend to reach breakeven. The word of mouth is average, and makers will need to focus on post-release promotions to improve collections. It will be interesting to see where Dude will end up at the US box office.
Ultimately, all eyes are on the upcoming weekend. The Diwali festival is known to boost theatrical business, but whether these films can reach their respective break-even targets and sustain collections over the holiday period remains to be seen. Audience response in the US will particularly determine how profitable the Diwali releases turn out to be.
