Key Takeaways:
- Why Dhurandhar 2 shouldn’t be taken lightly by the Ustaad Bhagat Singh team?
- How does pricing impact both the films in the Telugu states?
Until a few days ago, the Telugu states were gearing up to witness a box-office clash between the pan-Indian biggies Toxic and Dhurandhar: The Revenge on March 19 on account of Eid and Ugadi. However, the scenario quickly changed when Yash’s Toxic withdrew from the clash, citing ongoing tensions in the Gulf countries. At this point, everyone thought Dhurandhar 2 would have a solo release. But out of the blue, Pawan Kalyan’s Ustaad Bhagat Singh was announced for a March 19 release.
Generally, if a star hero’s film releases alongside a Hindi film with a dubbed version, Telugu audiences tend to prefer the straight Telugu film. However, Dhurandhar: The Revenge isn’t just another random Hindi dubbed film. The first part created havoc at the Tollywood box office even without a Telugu dubbed version, and its performance even surprised trade pundits as the collections only grew stronger with each passing week. After its arrival on OTT, Dhurandhar reached even more Telugu households, which is why Dhurandhar 2 shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Ticket Rate Hikes vs No Hikes
This pricing aspect is set to play the biggest role in the clash. Dhurandhar: The Revenge will have premium pricing in most states, but surprisingly, Jio Studios opted against ticket hikes in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The bookings for the paid previews are monstrous, and the advances for the regular shows have opened on a very positive note. The theatrical trailer struck a chord with audiences, and it instantly reflected in the bookings. The momentum is particularly phenomenal in the Nizam region.
Interestingly, Ustaad Bhagat Singh is set to have ticket price enhancements in both states. Until yesterday, it was believed that the film would not get hikes in Telangana because of the Telangana High Court’s interim order, which directed the government to issue a G.O. for ticket price hikes at least 90 days before a film’s release.
Since this is practically impossible for most releases, the makers moved the Supreme Court of India, and the apex court stayed the orders issued by the Telangana High Court. The Andhra Pradesh G.O. for hikes has already been issued, while the Telangana G.O. is expected in a couple of days.
Opening vs Long Run
Ustaad Bhagat Singh will surely take a bigger opening than Dhurandhar 2 in the Telugu states, backed by star power and ticket hikes. However, enhanced ticket prices alone cannot guarantee the lead in the long run
This is where Dhurandhar: The Revenge might have an edge. The first part was widely praised for its strong content, brilliant performances, engaging storytelling, and captivating soundtrack. The trailer for the sequel suggests that the impact could be even bigger this time, with the film exploring the backstory of Jaskirat Singh Rangi. If the word of mouth turns out to be as strong as the first chapter, the sequel could run riot at the Telugu box office.
On the other hand, Ustaad Bhagat Singh hasn’t quite packed a punch with its promotional assets so far. A lot is riding on the theatrical trailer that drops today. As of now, most of the momentum around the film is largely driven by Pawan Kalyan’s star power.
The ticket price difference between the two films has already sparked discussions on social media, with movie buffs closely tracking the advance bookings and promotional content. It remains to be seen which film ultimately emerges as the winner in this intriguing clash.