HIT 3 Dominates, Retro Struggles to Take Off

After the epic disaster Kanguva, Suriya is all set to return to the big screen with Retro directed by Karthik Subbaraj.

The film releases on May 1. Co-starring Pooja Hegde, Retro has generated decent hype in Tamil Nadu. However, its Telugu version is struggling in the AP/TS.

Bookings for the Telugu dubbed version have seen very low traction across Hyderabad and other major cities.

On BookMyShow, most theaters still show “green” status, meaning plenty of seats are available even during prime hours.

Only a few shows, like the 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM slots at AMB Cinemas and the 11:25 AM show at Prasads, are showing “fast filling” signs.

Major multiplexes like PVR Next Galleria Mall, INOX GSM Mall, Prasads, and Devi70MM, BVK Multiplex Vijayalakshmi are seeing minimal advance bookings. Even prime slots like 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM are showing poor occupancy.

This slow response is worrying for the film’s prospects in AP and Telangana. Possible reasons include low buzz for the Telugu version, strong competition from HIT 3, and Karthik Subbaraj’s limited appeal among the Telugu audience.

On the other hand, HIT 3 with its A rating also is filling up fast across theaters in Hyderabad.

While Retro is headed toward a good opening in Tamil Nadu, it clearly faces a tough battle in the Telugu states.