“Pushpa 2” Struggles in Telugu States Despite National Sensation; Distributors Worry Over Losses

Pushpa 2: The Rule has taken the nation by storm, raking in massive numbers at the worldwide box office. However, its performance in the Telugu-speaking Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has yet to meet expectations. Despite a strong opening, the film faces hurdles in maintaining its momentum, mirroring the performance of its predecessor, Pushpa: The Rise.

In its first week, the Telugu version grossed ₹150 crores but witnessed a sharp dip in collections starting the second week. The lack of holidays, criticism over ticket pricing in certain areas, and lukewarm content reception have contributed to the underwhelming performance in the Telugu regions. On its eighth day, the film managed to earn only ₹9.4 crores in the Telugu market, raising concerns among distributors who have made hefty investments.

Interestingly, while the Hindi version has turned into a historic blockbuster with record-breaking collections, the Telugu audience seems less enthusiastic, creating a stark contrast between the regional and national box office figures. The film’s collections in the Nizam region remain steady, but Andhra Pradesh’s response has been underwhelming, further intensifying worries for the distributors.

As Pushpa 2 inches closer to ₹1500 crores globally, trade experts believe its Telugu distributors might struggle to achieve breakeven unless there is a significant spike in footfalls over the weekend. Sunday’s collections are now seen as critical to determining whether the film can salvage its Telugu market performance and secure profits for its investors.

The industry is abuzz with debates over the contrasting box office fates of Pushpa 2 across markets, making it one of the most-discussed topics in Indian cinema. Will the film recover in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, or will the Telugu version fall short of expectations? All eyes are now on the third week to decide its fate.