November 20 could witness an interesting box-office battle, with Mammootty and Dulquer Salmaan finding themselves on opposite sides of the release race. Mammootty’s OM: Chapter 1 Udhiram, starring Dhanush in the lead, will compete with Dulquer’s Telugu romantic drama Aakasamlo Oka Tara (AOT). The father-son angle makes this clash even more interesting.
OM was initially scheduled for October 16 but was postponed to avoid a clash with Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2. The makers later locked November 20, moving the action entertainer away from the crowded Diwali release window. Directed by Rajkumar Periasamy, the film features Dhanush, Mammootty, Sai Pallavi, Sreeleela and Naseeruddin Shah.
Aakasamlo Oka Tara, directed by Pavan Sadineni, is Dulquer’s next major Telugu release. He enjoys considerable popularity in Telugu states thanks to films like Sita Ramam and Lucky Baskhar. However, recent setbacks have increased the pressure on him to deliver another theatrical success.
The two films face different challenges. OM is reportedly made on a massive budget, making its box-office performance crucial. Tamil Nadu and Kerala will be key markets, given Dhanush and Mammootty’s popularity there.
AOT, meanwhile, has a strong backing, with Geetha Arts, Dharma Productions, Think Studios and Wayfarer Films associated with the project. Its performance in the Telugu states will be particularly important, as Dulquer leads the film as a solo hero.
Early trade expectations suggest OM could have an advantage in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, while AOT may be better placed in the Telugu market. However, the final outcome will depend on promotions, advance bookings and audience response.
The big question is whether Dulquer can regain his box-office momentum after huge setbacks like I’m Game and Kaantha or whether the Dhanush-Mammootty combination will dominate the opening weekend.
