The much-anticipated pan-India film Peddi, starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor, is facing a sluggish start in the Hindi belt. Despite heavy promotions and the star power of its lead actors, advance ticket sales have been underwhelming, raising concerns about its opening day performance.
Hindi Belt Sees Lukewarm Response
According to industry trackers, the film has sold only around 5,000 tickets in the top three national chains – PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis – as of Wednesday evening. The numbers are even lower in non-national chains and single screens. Early estimates suggest Peddi might collect around Rs 2 crore on its opening day in Hindi, which is considered poor for a big-budget Telugu film. However, the film is expected to perform strongly in its home market, Telugu, where it could become Ram Charan’s biggest opener outside of the Rajamouli-directed blockbuster RRR.
Telugu Market Set for a Storming Start
In stark contrast to the Hindi numbers, Peddi is poised for a massive opening in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Trade pundits predict that the film might even surpass the opening day figures of some of Ram Charan’s previous solo hits. The buzz in the Telugu states is electric, with fans thronging theatres for early shows. The film’s success in Telugu will be crucial for its overall box office performance, but the Hindi contribution remains a concern.
Can Strong Word-of-Mouth Turn the Tide?
With a poor advance booking, Peddi will heavily depend on positive word-of-mouth from early viewers. The film’s talk, which starts from Thursday, will determine whether it can recover in Hindi markets. If the audience response is favorable, the film could see a jump in collections over the weekend. However, given the current trend, it might be an uphill battle. The coming days will be critical for the film’s Hindi run, and trade analysts are watching closely to see if the content can pull a miracle.