Vishwak Sen is no small-time hero. He reportedly charges ₹5–7 crore per film and has three projects in hand.
With that kind of standing, a decent opening is expected; especially when the film has everything going for it: Sithara Entertainments backing, Anudeep KV directing, and Kayadu Lohar as the heroine.
Yet, the opening was shockingly weak.
Day 1 occupancy failed to touch even 40% in many areas. While some Andhra centres managed around 40%, regions like Rayalaseema reportedly didn’t even reach 10%. Surprisingly, even Nizam; considered Vishwak’s strong zone; showed dull collections.
Back-to-back underperformers seem to be taking a toll. One recent film ended average, another flopped, and that negative impact appears to have carried over.
Hopes that word-of-mouth would revive the film on Saturday didn’t materialise either, as Day 2 remained flat.
The film reportedly did around ₹8 crore business across both states, while Vishwak is said to be charging nearly ₹7 crore for Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi sequel. Ideally, producers expect at least double the hero’s remuneration as business; but that comfort is missing.
And Vishwak Sen isn’t alone. Sharwanand, Gopichand, and even Ravi Teja are facing similar issues, with shrinking openings and falling business.
If this trend continues, mid-range heroes and films in Tollywood may be headed for a tough phase.
