Sometimes all eyes are one film, and then another comes out of nowhere are steals the show. It has happened in the past with a couple of movies of Vijay Deverakonda itself. Looks like, now he might be at the receiving end.
The films are iSmart Shankar and Dear Comrade. Initially, there was supposed to be two weeks gap, but now with the two coming back to back, Dear Comrade is unexpectedly in a quandary. iSmart Shankar was expected to either do well (on an average level) or open big (owning to its mass package) and then fizzle out. However, the Ram starrer is doing steadily well, and the trade is expecting to maintain the same grip in the second weekend as well.
If that is the case, Dear Comrade gets to lose a lot, if it receives a divisive talk. It lacks the mass appeal and starts on a back foot on that front. Vijay Deverakonda and team Dear Comrade, are heavily banking on youth. That segment has also lapped up iSmart Shankar thanks to the unique hero characterisation by Puri Jagannadh.
More than anything, a thundering impact that the makers of Dear Comrade expected (for openings) is lost in the current iSmart Shankar momentum. It has turned all the expectations upside down. The element of newness has been taken away.
Dear Comrade is one of the best and uniquely promoted movies in recent times. Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika have put a hundred percent effort. The makers have already opened the bookings very well in advance, hoping that it builds by the release time. What initially looked like a done deal as far as openings are considered is now going to be tough work. We need to wait and see how the audience responds, and if the efforts of the lead bear any fruits.
A newcomer Bharat Kamma directs Dear Comrade. It hits screens worldwide on July 26th.
