Sankranti 2024 - Unexpected Twists
Sankranti's suspense is gone; all four releases are out, and their conclusion is very obvious. Let's start with the North American box office performance and assess where things stand. In international markets, Hanuman is a clear winner. guntur Kaaram is nearing completion, while the other two are, unexpectedly, non-starters.
Hanuman
Hanuman
Prashanth Varma's Hanuman, starring teja Sajja, has already grossed $2.5 million and continues to draw large crowds. The fact that Hanuman has already defeated guntur Kaaram demonstrates its popularity at the box office. According to current trends, the picture is on track to gross $4 million, and the second weekend will reveal more about where it will land. In India, despite restricted concerts in certain major places, Hanuman is thriving with filled houses and strong word of mouth, capitalizing on the holiday season.
Guntur Kaaram
The Mahesh Babu-Trivikram combination has long been regarded as magical, but guntur Kaaram smashed the U.S. box office after an initial gross of $2 million. The trend is evident; it is currently at $2.25 million and will likely stop shortly. This will result in a significant loss for the US distributor. In India, guntur Kaaram is doing well, taking advantage of the festival season, and we'll find out in a few days how telugu states will recover.
Saindhav
Saindhav is a complete catastrophe in both America and India. The film is a non-starter in the United States; thus far, it has raised $179K, but the breakeven point is approaching $1 million. This is a major failure both worldwide and in India; the picture has struggled from the start, and the holiday advantage hasn't helped the substance.
Naa Saami Ranga
Nagarjuna has been insistent about releasing Naa Saami Ranga for sankranti at any cost, and his risk appears to be paying off. The film is performing well in telugu states, however, it has a restricted number of showings. In the United States, it is a non-starter; it has raised around $50,000 thus far, and the film is a last-minute agreement for the U.S. distributor rather than the standard contract. So, the international breakeven value will be quite low, approximately $200K, but given the trend, it may not even reach that level.