US BO: Curious Case Of Aravinda Sametha

Aravindha Sametha is turning out to be a unique box office performance at the US box office. The film has collected approximately $1.83M in its opening extended weekend. By normal standards it is okay, but here the film comes in the combination of Tarak and Trivkram Srinivas.

[m9ad]

Trivikram Srinivas is undoubtedly the number one director (excluding SS Rajamouli from Baahubali movies) in the US market from ages. The premiere opening of Agnyaathavaasi gives a clear picture. The disastrous outcome dented its box office, but the fact that its opening weekend ($1.9 MN) is still bigger than Aravindha Sametha’s ($1.8 MN) should provide us with an indication of the power of the combination.

So, when Trivikram Srinivas joined hands with Tarak, who is growing in stature as a star in the US market, fireworks were expected. Unfortunately, that has not happened. Let’s put aside Agnyaathavaasi, the weekend of Aravindha Sametha just managed to scrape past A Aa ($1.7 MN) that came two years ago.

The critical appreciation was good for Aravindha Sametha and still, the numbers it is getting has surprised many. The common thing that many have come to agree is the violence that has put off the family segment. But, those were the same elements that drove fans crazy in the Telugu states. The contrast in reception and numbers is what makes it a curious case.

It can almost be said with certainty that a certain kind of mass movies have a celling in the US. When even the best combination struggles to reach break-even status, we can imagine what would happen with others.

Note: The $ numbers above are from the first weekend only, not life time gross.