Pushpa 2 Still Top Opener Post Kantara 1 / After Deepika, Alia says NO

On BookMyShow, Pushpa 2 still holds the record with 107K tickets booked per hour at its peak. Kantara Chapter 1 entered the same zone with 74K tickets per hour earlier in the day, which is an impressive feat for Rishab Shetty’s film. Despite the buzz, Pushpa 2’s dominance remains untouched. Few films in Indian cinema look capable of challenging its booking record. Only future titles like Salaar 2 or Kalki 2 appear likely to come close, but Pushpa 2 remains safe for now. Breaking the Allu Arjun starrer’s record will take extraordinary numbers. For the moment, Pushpa 2 continues to lead as the benchmark for advance bookings in India, and audiences now wait to see which film will dare to topple it. Franchise films like Baahubali 2, KGF 2, LCU film Leo, and Mohanlal’s Empuraan did very well at the Kerala box office, but Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2 failed to meet expectations and became a big failure. Apart from Allu Arjun’s highly anticipated sequel, all the films listed above debuted with record-breaking numbers and achieved massive success over time in Kerala. Now Kantara Chapter 1 has also exceeded trade’s expectations, and despite not having much pre-release jump and multiple films running in theaters, it still sees a 6 Cr opening, which is one of the biggest openings in Kerala.

Last November Alia Bhatt was in talks to headline filmmaker Nag Ashwin’s yet-untitled woman-led film. But 11 months is a long time for things to change. Ashwin, whose Kalki 2 is now undergoing a round of casting following Deepika Padukone’s exit, is reportedly considering focusing on his woman-centric film in the interim. However, that clashes with Bhatt, who is said to have given bulk dates to Maddock Films’ Chamunda from March 2026. In the latest development, industry chatter suggests that the filmmaker has resumed talks with Sai Pallavi, who has long been his choice to lead the action drama. A source close to the production revealed, “Nag didn’t let go of the idea of the woman-led film. It was simmering on the backburner through most of 2025. With the developments in Kalki 2, bringing the other project forward is a possibility.” Pallavi, however, can allot her dates only after the two-part Ramayana is complete. The source adds, “She is expected to wrap up the second instalment of Ramayana by mid-2026. If the dates align, she could step into Nag’s film before he moves to Kalki 2.” Insiders, however, insist that schedules and casting could shift, given the dynamic nature of the projects in question.

Ram Charan - Jr NTR - Prabhas jittery after Pushpa AP collection

 

Pushpa four day collection share for distributors in Andhra Pradesh region has shocked `Pan Indian' Telegu film producers of RRR ( Ram Charan- Jr NTR) and Prabhas ( Radhe Shyam).  Truth is that these `Pan Indian' films cannot wish away Andhra region just like Bollywood cannot win without Maharashtra ( Mumbai) box office collections. The low shares are due to Jagan ministry strictures on movie halls and dizzy prices that film was bought according to film trade. 

After the initial euphoric opening and the storm raised in box office, dust has settled on fourth day and reflects the future mood of the general public. 60 % of the film trade or collections has to come from Andhra region. The data shows that Andhra distributors have so far got a share of 40% of the amount that they bought for. The film was sold for Rs 62 crores before the Jagan ministry issued a GO reducing ticket prices. After haggling, it was reduced to Rs 51 crore. 

The trade puts the total collections in Andhra at Rs 60 crores for 4 days. This minus the GST and theater rental- publicity, share would come to nearly Rs 25 crores . Producers had agreed that they would compensate the GST paid by distributors, if the share of collections fall below the expected mark.  If this happens, the producers takeaway from Andhra would be  Rs 30- 35 crores as they would have to give  back around Rs 20 crores by way of GST compensation. Nizam that went for Rs 35 crores has done extremely well with 3 day share alone being Rs 25 crore range and showing no sign of drop. CEDED areas ( Kurnool- Kadappa- Chitoor- Antapur) sold for Rs 16 crores has in 3 days given Rs 8-9 crores share.

Much euphoria was generated about Mumbai and North India collections. Film was sold for Rs 20 crores. After 4 days, Hindi nett ( total not share) is Rs  15 crores. On 4th day Hindi belt collection was Rs 2.98 cr. In Tamil, film was sold for Rs  7 crore and four day Nett was Rs 8.81 crore and likely the distributor might lose some money.. In Kerala, E4 minus Malayalam print on Day 1 and in four days got a Nett of Rs 7 cr and they bought it for Rs 5 crore. E4 might scrape through as collections are not that bad enough on Day 4 and has no Malayalam film of any worth as opposition.

AP CM Jagan  stopped  fan shows - charity shows and unrestricted screenings on the ground that these practices were creating black money and evasion of tax to local bodies, Apart from this,  collections  were not accounted and box office figures given out were not authenticated. Next blow is that a GO says that all theaters should install a software created by AP government to sell tickets and money gained from this App will be in treasury. After service charges , the collections will be credited to movie halls. It is to bring real box office figures.

 Akhanda ( Balakrishna) was a money spinner for Andhra distributors as it was reasonably priced. The producers expected trouble from Jagan and sold it accordingly. The anti- Jagan posturing by Balayya  just before release managed to  rustle up TDP workers and anti- Jagan  viewers to turn out in large numbers . Nani's Shyama Singha Roy ( about reincarnation) is next release.

Will Valimai / Radhe Shyam release date be changed after RRR locks January 7th 2022

S S Rajamouli by announcing January 7 as the release date taken the fight in the South directly into the camp of Boney Kapoor production Valimai . In Bollywood, a piquant situation has been created by which heroine centric Gangubai Kathiawadi  which has Alia Bhatt is releasing just a day head of RRR in which she plays Sita. Ajay Devgn who acts in Gangubhai is also playing a pivotal role in RRR.  Pen Studios Gada is the distributor of both films. Will Gada shift Gangubhai ? Will Tamil Nadu distributor Anbu advance release to Christmas? Will Prabhas Radhe Shyam change release date of January 14 ?. Rajamouli is putting his Bahubali track record to pitch his film against star power of Ajith and Prabhas ( in case the two do not withdraw) in Tamil Nadu - Andhra - Telangana. It is seen as a major gamble but to many it shows the confidence that the maker has on his product.

In trade circles , RRR is  the hot favourite . It would the first preference on a National and global  level as Indians would give first priority to RRR,since it comes from Babhubali director SSR and a top notch technical quality that would make it a theater viewing a thrilling experience. Theaters in Tamil Nadu would give half the amount of screens to RRR.   Dent in theater collection at Tamil Nadu box office would give ZEE who bought the film  a big setback. Even  Anbu of Gopuram films who is the distributor  will not ride over the exhibitors demand for RRR.

Valimai's Andhra/ TS markets and North India markets would be nil and even overseas it would take a hit. Will Anbu- Zee look to jump the Valimai release date from Pongal to Christmas ?