After making a strong debut at the box office, Devara Part 1, starring Jr NTR and Saif Ali Khan, has witnessed a significant dip in its weekday collections. Directed by Koratala Siva, the film had a grand release in five languages — Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada. Despite the initial buzz and high expectations, the film has struggled to maintain its momentum, especially during the weekdays.
According to the latest update from Sacnilk.com, the pan-India film has yet to cross the ₹200 crore mark after five days of release. Devara Part 1 began its box office journey with strong collections over the weekend, but the momentum began to slow as the weekdays approached, with a noticeable dip in audience turnout.
The Opening Weekend: Strong Start
Released on a Friday, Devara Part 1 enjoyed a robust opening day at the box office. It collected ₹82.5 crore (nett) in India on its opening day alone, marking a successful start for the film. The second day saw a drop in collections, but it still managed to pull in ₹38.2 crore (nett), followed by a slight increase on Sunday, with ₹39.9 crore (nett).
Overall, the first weekend helped the film gain momentum and reach a cumulative collection of ₹160.6 crore (nett) by the end of Sunday. However, as Monday arrived, the film's collections started to decline. The film registered ₹12.75 crore (nett) on its first Monday, a sharp drop from its weekend numbers.
Weekday Collections: A Steep Decline
The drop in collections continued on Tuesday, where the film added ₹12.09 crore to its total box office earnings. After five days, Devara Part 1 has accumulated ₹185.44 crore (nett) across India. Although the film has performed well in terms of overall numbers, the sharp drop in collections during the weekdays is a concern, especially given the massive hype surrounding the film’s release.
In terms of regional occupancy, Devara Part 1 registered a 22.55% occupancy in the Telugu market on Monday, which was its strongest showing among all the regions. The Hindi market saw an 11.54% occupancy rate, while the Kannada and Tamil markets registered 19.74% and 15.44% occupancy rates, respectively.
Box Office Challenges: Tough Competition and Mixed Reviews
Several factors have contributed to the decline in Devara Part 1's weekday collections. Firstly, the film opened to mixed reviews from both critics and audiences. While Jr NTR’s performance and the film's action sequences have been widely praised, some aspects of the plot, pacing, and direction have been met with criticism. These mixed reactions have likely contributed to the drop in audience turnout during the weekdays.
Moreover, Devara Part 1 is facing stiff competition at the box office from other regional and Bollywood films. With a crowded slate of releases, audience attention is divided, which may have impacted Devara's weekday collections. Additionally, the film’s pan-India release across five languages means it is competing in multiple markets, each with its own preferences and trends.
Jr NTR’s First Solo Release in Six Years
Devara Part 1 holds special significance for Jr NTR, as it marks his first solo release in six years. The actor was last seen in the globally successful RRR, directed by SS Rajamouli, where he shared screen space with Ram Charan. RRR was a massive hit, both domestically and internationally, which set high expectations for Devara.
Jr NTR took to social media ahead of the film's release to express his excitement and gratitude to fans. In a heartfelt message on X (formerly known as Twitter), he wrote, “The day I had been waiting for is finally here... Overwhelmed by your incredible reactions. To my fans, witnessing your celebrations for Devara makes me so elated. Forever indebted for your love. Glad you're enjoying it as much as I did. I promise to keep entertaining you all.”
The actor’s dual role in Devara has been a major talking point, with fans eagerly anticipating his performance. In the film, Jr NTR portrays two distinct characters, adding complexity and depth to the narrative.
The Cast and Characters
Alongside Jr NTR, Devara Part 1 boasts a star-studded cast that includes Saif Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Prakash Raj, Srikanth Meka, Tom Shine Chacko, and Narain. Saif Ali Khan plays Bhaira, a master of kushti (wrestling), whose invincible world is turned upside down by Jr NTR’s character. The dynamic between the two lead actors has been a highlight for many fans, with their on-screen clash being one of the film’s major selling points.
Janhvi Kapoor, making her Telugu cinema debut with this film, plays a significant role, adding a fresh face to the ensemble cast. Her performance has received positive feedback, particularly for her ability to blend into a regional film without losing her Bollywood charm.
The Direction: Koratala Siva’s Vision
Devara Part 1 is directed by Koratala Siva, a filmmaker known for his work in Telugu cinema. Siva’s previous films, such as Srimanthudu and Bharat Ane Nenu, have established him as a director with a keen sense of storytelling and mass appeal. However, with Devara, Siva has taken on the challenge of creating a pan-India film that appeals to a wider audience across different languages and regions.
While the film’s direction has been praised for its action sequences and scale, some critics have noted that the pacing of the narrative could have been tighter. The dual role played by Jr NTR, combined with Saif Ali Khan’s antagonist character, creates an intriguing storyline, but there are moments in the film where the plot feels stretched or predictable.
Future Prospects: Can Devara Bounce Back?
Despite the dip in weekday collections, Devara Part 1 still has the potential to recover in the coming weeks. Much will depend on word-of-mouth and how the film performs in key markets such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. The film’s success in the Telugu-speaking regions is crucial, given that it is Jr NTR’s home territory and where his fan base is the strongest.
In addition to this, Devara's performance in the Hindi belt and other regional markets will play a significant role in determining its overall box office success. The film’s pan-India release strategy means it needs to perform well across multiple regions to reach the ₹200 crore milestone and beyond.
The upcoming weeks will be critical for Devara Part 1 as it navigates the challenges of mixed reviews, competition, and fluctuating audience interest. However, with Jr NTR’s star power and the film’s intriguing premise, there is hope that it can regain momentum and emerge as a box office success.
Devara Part 1 has had a mixed journey at the box office so far, with a strong opening weekend followed by a significant drop in weekday collections. The film’s performance in the coming days will determine whether it can overcome these challenges and reach the much-anticipated ₹200 crore mark.
With Jr NTR in the lead, a powerful supporting cast, and Koratala Siva at the helm, Devara Part 1 still has the potential to bounce back and captivate audiences. Whether it achieves that remains to be seen, but for now, the film continues to be one of the most talked-about releases in Indian cinema this year.