The first half of 2016 has seen 85 Straight releases with an average of minimum 3 releases per week. Also, 39 dubbed films got released taking the total to 124 releases so far this year. Compared to last year’s 94 straight releases in first six months the count has come down. But success ratio has increased by 10 times which is extraordinary. There was only single successful film (Pataas) last year while there are 9 films this year.
Big Budget Flicks
So far it’s a bad year for big budget movies as only one film out of 4 released has seen profits. Also TFI has seen two biggest disasters ever this year in the form of Sardaar Gabbar Singh & Brahmotsavam . NTR’s Nannaku Prematho opened with mixed reports & ended up as an Average affair at the B.O as it has clashed with 4 other movies for Sankranthi. Allu Arjun’s Sarrainodu is biggest earner of the year so far with more than 70 Cr worldwide. The film is a blockbuster in Domestic markets though it is a Disaster in Overseas.
Director’s Brand
Trivikram’s AAa with over 46cr Share is a Super Hit in Domestic Markets & Blockbuster in Overseas . Though the film has opened well it couldn’t sustain well after the re-opening of schools & colleges as the summer season is over.
Medium Budget Flicks
Nagarjuna has scored 2 consecutive hit films with Soggade Chinni Naayana & Oopiri. Soggade Chinni Naayana released for Sankranthi clashing with 3 other films & emerged as a blockbuster with a theatrical share of 45cr. Also, it is the only blockbuster in straight films so far this year. Oopiri released as the first notable release for summer season & collected a theatrical share of 30.5Cr. The film is a blockbuster with $1.57 Million overseas & did decent business in Domestic markets. Nenu Sailaja is a Superhit with theatrical share over 20Cr. Ram scored a Hit after 5 films. Sarwanand also scored a Super Hit with Express Raja which releaed for Sankranthi Festival. The film has collected 13.5Cr share worldwide. Sai Dharam Tej’s Supreme is termed a Hit with nearly 24 Cr Share making it the second hit for Director Anil Ravipudi after pataas. Nani Scored a Hit with Gentleman after an Average Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha which collected 12.5cr share. Gentleman is expected to collect 16cr share by the end of it’s run. Manchu Vishnu & Raj Tarun have scored a Super Hit with Aado Rakam Eedo Rakam. The film has collected a share of 11cr in it’s full run. NBK’s Dictator with a near 21cr share ended up as an Average. Both Kalyana Vaibhgame & Guntur Talkies did average business though former is a Hit in Overseas. Bellamkonda Srinivas, Sunil have scored disasters with Speedunnodu & Krishnastami respectively. Niharika’s Debut Oka Manasu opened well but ended up as a Flop.
Dubbed Films
A total 39 films have released in the 1st half of this year which includes a Big film 24 from the star Suriya. Directed by Vikram Kumar this film carried strong hype & opened well even though it clashed with Supreme. It did a theatrical share of 15.5Cr in Telugu states which is decent figure. The film couldn’t emerge as success as the collections didn’t hold strength after 1st week.
Hollywood film Jungle Book is a hit in telugu dub version too. The film has collected a near 5cr share including English version in telugu states.
Biggest Surprise of the year for trade is success of Bichagadu. Telugu rights of this tamil film Is bought for 50 lks(includes satellite) & including other expenses it costed a near 2.5cr for the buyer. The film is expected to collect 10cr share by the end of it’s run meaning a return of investment of 400%.
All in all, the first half of 2016 has witnessed a bunch of notable films with crowd pleasing content and most of them turned out to be money spinners for the buyers and distributors. The success ratio is very encouraging when compared to the previous years. Audience have lapped up films with good and fresh content and also rejected the big ticket films that failed to meet their expectations. Let’s hope the second half of 2016 brings much more cheer for the trade circles.
