Dasara is turning into another Sankranti of sorts at the Telugu box office, with several films targeting the festival season to revive theatrical business. From Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 to Vijay Deverakonda’s Ranabaali, the October release calendar is packed with films across different budgets and genres.
However, the big question is whether this crowded lineup can bring much-needed relief to Tollywood after a disappointing September and a slow start to October.
A few months ago, Maa Inti Bangaaram, Lenin, Vishwanath & Sons and Irumudi brought some much-needed relief to the industry. But the momentum did not last long. September releases, especially Nani’s much-hyped The Paradise, turned out to be extremely disappointing. Films released in the first week of October have also struggled.
Now, the industry is looking towards the Dasara season.
Sree Vishnu’s Comrade Kalyan is releasing on October 9. With Venkatesh’s AK47 postponed, the film now enjoys a solo release window. Sree Vishnu has built a market with his choice of entertaining and unconventional stories. However, Comrade Kalyan needs strong word of mouth to survive the festival race. Audience response after the first shows will be crucial.
The biggest attraction arrives on October 15 with Jailer 2. The original became a massive box-office success, and the sequel has several advantages, including Rajinikanth, director Nelson Dilipkumar, a star-packed cast and Anirudh Ravichander’s music. But expectations are equally high. The sequel must recreate the original’s impact rather than depend entirely on its brand value. The trailer didn’t quite live up to the expectations, let’s hope the film does.
October 16 brings Ranabaali, starring Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna. Their reunion after Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade has generated interest. The period action drama is also important for Vijay, who needs a solid success after several huge setbacks. Positive talk will be essential for the film to sustain its run beyond the opening weekend.
Garividi Lakshmi, starring Anandhi, is scheduled for October 17. Based on the life of folk artist Garividi Lakshmi, the film must stand out through its content amid competition from bigger releases. Summer Holidays is also scheduled for October 17, adding to the crowded lineup.
At the end of the month, Vishwak Sen’s Cult is scheduled to arrive on October 30. The actor is also directing the slasher thriller, which will test audience interest in a darker genre.
A festival period can bring audiences to theatres, but for that to happen the word of mouth should at least be decent. Or else, films with poor content will only waste the potential of a strong season like Dasara.
After a disappointing September and a slow start to October, Tollywood needs Jailer 2, Ranabaali and the other Dasara releases to deliver big time.
