Tollywood actor Nikhil Siddharth, who soared to pan-India success with Karthikeya 2, has hit a rough patch with his latest release, Appudo Ippudo Eppudo. Despite the remarkable success of Karthikeya 2, which grossed over 100 crores worldwide, Appudo Ippudo Eppudo opened to a poor response, even registering zero shares on its first day—a disappointing start for the ambitious actor.
After Karthikeya 2, Nikhil released 18 Pages and Spy, with mixed results. While 18 Pages received an average response, Spy initially opened well but saw a sharp decline on Day 2. Unfortunately, Appudo Ippudo Eppudo has faced even tougher criticism, with the lack of pre-release buzz and delayed release due to financial issues adding to the setbacks.
Many feel that a direct OTT release might have been more suitable for Appudo Ippudo Eppudo, given its theatrical struggles. Nikhil, who has aspirations for pan-Indian success, is now turning his focus to Swayambhu, a project he has been preparing for intensively. Only time will tell if Swayambhu can help him recapture the magic of Karthikeya 2 and elevate his pan-India profile.