Jr NTR’s Devara was one of the most anticipated films in Telugu cinema, and it has lived up to the expectations, marking Jr NTR’s triumphant return as a solo hero. After two days of its worldwide run, it’s clear that no one expected Devara to rake in the kind of numbers it currently is, becoming a bonafide box-office juggernaut. The film grossed ₹82.5 crore domestically on Day 1 and comfortably crossed the ₹100 crore mark by earning approximately ₹40 crore on Day 2, bringing the domestic total to ₹122.5 crore. It’s worth noting that early screenings across the world, starting from 1 AM in the Telugu states, contributed to the huge Day 1 figures. While Day 2 saw a nearly 50% dip in collections, it’s not a sign of decline but rather a natural adjustment after the massive opening day.
The Telugu states have contributed the most to the film’s success, with director Koratala Siva bouncing back after the failure of Acharya. Devara has not only restored his reputation but has also turned into a pan-Indian blockbuster, especially with its Hindi version performing well. The Hindi collection increased from ₹7 crore on Day 1 to ₹9.2 crore on the first Saturday. The Telugu version alone has crossed ₹100 crore, and with the producers announcing a global box-office collection of ₹172 crore on Day 1, it’s expected that the film will easily surpass ₹250 crore by Day 2, potentially nearing the ₹300 crore mark.
Devara now stands as the film with the second biggest opening in Indian cinema this year, only behind Kalki 2898 AD starring Prabhas. This marks a new chapter in Jr NTR’s career, establishing his pan-Indian stardom after the global success of RRR. These unprecedented numbers further cement his status, and his next film, War 2 with Ayan Mukerji, where he will face off against Hrithik Roshan, could propel him to even greater heights.
With no major releases scheduled until Rajinikanth’s Vettaiyan on October 10, Devara is set to enjoy an uninterrupted box-office run. It will be fascinating to see where the final numbers land. The film’s pan-Indian appeal is further strengthened by its star-studded cast, including Saif Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Prakash Raj, and Shine Tom Chacko. With music by Anirudh Ravichander and cinematography by Ratnavelu, Devara marks Jr NTR’s first solo release since 2018’s Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava.
cinema manishi