Ceeded has long been a fortress for Balakrishna’s films, with his mass entertainers consistently raking in impressive box office numbers. From Akhanda to Bhagavanth Kesari, his recent films have all achieved a remarkable Rs 15 crore share in this region, solidifying his dominance.
However, Daaku Maharaaj, an out-and-out mass entertainer with positive word of mouth, has surprisingly fallen short of expectations. Despite the hype, extra ticket pricing, and favorable audience feedback, the film has managed only Rs 12 crore in the region, with a possibility of adding just another Rs 1 crore to its tally. This underperformance has resulted in losses for distributors, as the business in Ceeded was valued at Rs 15 crore.
While the movie has performed well in Andhra and overseas markets, it has disappointed in both the Nizam and Ceeded regions. Balakrishna’s limited appeal in the Nizam area makes this underperformance understandable. However, the lackluster results in his strongest territory, Ceeded, come as a shock to many in the trade circles.
The film’s results highlight the unpredictable nature of box office dynamics, even for a star like Balakrishna in his prime territory.