Telugu cinema’s beloved superstar, Junior NTR, has once again made headlines with his latest release, Devra: Part 1. Directed by Koratala Siva, this much-awaited action drama hit theaters on September 27, and fans of Jr NTR, who have been waiting for two years since RRR, are excited to see their star back on the big screen. The film, which also stars Janhvi Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan, has had an impressive start with bumper advance bookings across the country.
Huge Response from South India, Hindi Belt Lags
The advance bookings for Devra began last Monday, and according to reports from Sacnilk, over 15.27 lakh tickets were sold before the film’s release. The Telugu version of the film saw a staggering 13.98 lakh tickets sold, showcasing the immense enthusiasm in South India. However, the response from Hindi-speaking regions has been relatively muted, with just 94,192 tickets sold for the Hindi version.
A Six-Year Wait Ends for Jr NTR Fans
Devra marks Junior NTR’s first solo hero film after a six-year gap, and this has led to an overwhelming demand for tickets in the South. On its opening day, the film raked in a massive Rs 38.84 crore in domestic pre-sales alone, with global pre-sales crossing Rs 75 crore. This impressive advance booking figure makes Devra the second biggest of 2024, following Kalki 2898 AD.
Box Office Prediction: Crossing the Rs 100 Crore Mark on Day One
Given the incredible buzz and the strong advance booking numbers, Devra is expected to perform exceptionally well at the global box office. Early estimates suggest that the film will earn over Rs 100 crore worldwide on its opening day. This makes Jr NTR the second Telugu star, after Prabhas, to achieve such a feat with a solo release.
In India, Devra is projected to make a net collection of Rs 55-80 crore on day one, with South Indian states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu contributing significantly. However, the Hindi version may only contribute around Rs 5-6 crore on opening day, a figure that is quite modest compared to the film’s overall performance.
Hindi Version Struggles, but South India Carries the Film
Despite the overwhelming support from the Telugu audience, the Hindi version of Devra is facing challenges. The film has only managed to generate Rs 1.85 crore in pre-sales for its Hindi version, which is a far cry from the blockbuster figures needed to replicate the success of movies like RRR or Baahubali 2. With a reported budget of Rs 300 crore, Devra will need to strengthen its presence in the Hindi market to ensure long-term success.
Weekend Could Boost Earnings, But North India Remains a Challenge
While the opening day response has been phenomenal in the South, Devra will likely benefit from the weekend rush, particularly in Telugu-speaking regions. The real test, however, will be the film’s performance in North India, where it will need to gain traction to achieve blockbuster status on par with movies like KGF 2 and Baahubali 2. With time, the Hindi version could pick up momentum, but for now, all eyes are on the South as Devra continues to break records.
