A trio of Telugu films – Sree Vishnu’s Mrithyunjay, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar’s S Saraswathi, and Sivaji’s Sampradayini Suppini Suddapoosani – hit the big screens last Friday and have now completed their first weekend at the box office.
Among them, the mystery thriller Mrithyunjay received decent responses from audiences and critics alike. The film presents Sree Vishnu in a different role and genre, which has come as a pleasant surprise to many viewers. However, the collections so far are just average and not particularly strong. One of the major drawbacks has been the lack of effective pre- and post-release promotions, which prevented the film from becoming a priority watch for many moviegoers. The Monday collections are expected to remain steady, but sustaining the momentum will largely depend on strong word of mouth.
On the other hand, S Saraswathi marked the directorial debut of Varalaxmi Sarathkumar. Despite her sincere efforts on the project, the outcome has not worked in her favour. The film has received a lukewarm response from audiences, and what the team believed would be a gripping narrative filled with twists and turns has unfortunately failed to make an impact at the box office. The Monday test will be crucial to see if the film can show any signs of recovery.
Meanwhile, Sampradayini Suppini Suddapoosani, which was initially planned for an OTT release, opted for a theatrical outing in an attempt to test its luck. However, the film has been largely rejected by audiences due to its weak writing and execution. The crime comedy starring Sivaji, Laya, and Rohan failed to impress viewers and bombed at the box office from day one. Even the special family ticket offer could not draw audiences to theatres, making it difficult for the film to survive the crucial Monday test.
Among the three releases, Mrithyunjay has emerged as the preferred choice for audiences. However, for the film to stay in the limelight and improve its box office prospects, stronger promotions and positive word of mouth will be essential.