OG saw a massive start at the box office, but its second-day numbers tell a different story. The film opened with a record-breaking Rs. 144 crore gross worldwide, with a share of nearly Rs. 80 crores. In the U.S., it crossed the $4 million mark. However, to breakeven, it still needs more than Rs. 90 crores in share. The ticket price hikes in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are now creating hurdles.
Single-screen tickets went up to Rs. 125 and multiplex tickets to Rs. 150. Fans rushed for premiere shows, but families and neutral viewers found the rates steep. Many avoided theaters as the extra expense for multiple tickets strained budgets. This resulted in second-day collections dropping by over 70%, far below expectations.
Theaters and producers must act quickly. If ticket rates drop from Sunday, the footfalls could recover, and box office momentum might return. If not, waiting until Monday may prove too late, as weekend numbers already show signs of decline.
The example of Mirai is worth noting. Its weekend performance proved that keeping tickets at regular prices builds goodwill and encourages repeat viewing. OG features a major star like Pawan Kalyan, and positive word-of-mouth exists. Lowering ticket rates immediately can keep the momentum alive during the crucial first week and ensure strong collections.
