Despite its lead star and the strong buzz, Pawan Kalyan-starrer Agnyaathavaasi seems to be heading towards disaster. The film that released on January 10 has received bad reviews from critics and the audiences also seems to have given the film a cold shoulder. The first weekend collection of the film is Rs 88.7 crore gross worldwide, according to Andhraboxoffice.com.
Trade was expecting the Trivikram Srinivas directorial to do blockbuster business. The theatrical rights were sold for a whopping Rs 120 crore, and after the lukewarm response the film has received, it looks like the distributors are in for some trouble.
According to local media reports, the theatrical rights in the USA were bought fro Rs 22 crore. The film managed a good opening and crossed $1 million in just a few days. However, the collections took a dip and the film has earned only Rs 7 crore till now. At this stage, the distributors are looking at heavy losses and the buzz in the industry suggests distributors have signed a Non-Returnable Advance clause and a No Recovery Agreement. This means the distributors cannot demand that producers recoup the losses.
It was also reported that the filmmakers released a shorter version that includes a cameo by actor Venkatesh in the film to cash in on his stardom. Firstpost had quoted a source as saying, “The scene with Venkatesh comes at the end of the film. It was at the behest of Trivikram (Srinivas, the director) that Venkatesh agreed to be part of the film. As a Sankranti surprise to the viewers, the makers have decided to add the scene and also edit a few existing scenes that they feel are unnecessary.” This doesn’t seem to have helped the film much in terms of bringing audience to the theatre.
{{/usCountry}}It was also reported that the filmmakers released a shorter version that includes a cameo by actor Venkatesh in the film to cash in on his stardom. Firstpost had quoted a source as saying, “The scene with Venkatesh comes at the end of the film. It was at the behest of Trivikram (Srinivas, the director) that Venkatesh agreed to be part of the film. As a Sankranti surprise to the viewers, the makers have decided to add the scene and also edit a few existing scenes that they feel are unnecessary.” This doesn’t seem to have helped the film much in terms of bringing audience to the theatre.
{{/usCountry}}The year has begun on a dull note for Tollywood as this was the first big release of 2018. Balakrishna’s Jai Simha, which hit the screens on January 12, is however holding its own. According to trade, the film is holding well in B and C centers. The first weekend collection is Rs 28.5 crore gross worldwide.
Follow @htshowbiz for more