Tamil dubbed films are giving Telugu releases a run for their money in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. From Jailer 2 and Scene to DC, Blast and Dorothy, films from the neighbouring industry are finding favour with Telugu audiences, prompting distributors to take note of a changing box-office trend.
“Earlier, Tamil dubbed films depended largely on big stars like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Suriya. But today, even films without major stars are attracting audiences if they have something interesting to offer. In the last few months, some Tamil films have performed better than straight Telugu releases,” says a leading distributor.
He believes Telugu audiences have become more selective about their theatrical choices. “A familiar hero or a big banner is no longer enough to bring people to theatres. Audiences want good content. If a Tamil film offers something fresh, they are willing to watch it, irrespective of the language,” he says.
Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2, which reportedly grossed around Rs 92.75 crore in the AP-TG market, is among the notable examples of Tamil cinema’s reach. Suriya’s Scene, directed by Aavesham fame Jithu Madhavan, has also attracted attention. Meanwhile, Lokesh Kanagaraj’s acting debut DC has reportedly grossed around Rs 21.38 crore in the Telugu states. Arjun Sarja’s Blast was a bigger hit, while Dorothy also managed to find an audience.
Distributors feel this trend is putting pressure on small and medium-budget Telugu films. “There was a time when Telugu films enjoyed an obvious advantage in their home market. Now, a dubbed film with good word of mouth can compete with a straight Telugu release. The audience doesn’t really care where the film comes from as long as it entertains,” says another distributor.
Tamil producers and distributors are also making a stronger effort to tap the Telugu market. Wider releases, dubbed versions and promotional activities are helping these films reach audiences beyond Tamil Nadu. Earlier successes such as Vikram, Leo, Jailer and Maharaja have already established a market for Tamil cinema in the Telugu states.
However, trade circles point out that this does not mean Telugu cinema is losing its dominance. Big Telugu releases continue to command impressive openings and enjoy strong star power. But distributors believe filmmakers can no longer take the home audience for granted.
“Today, competition is not just between Telugu films. Every film is competing for the audience’s time and money. If our films don’t offer something engaging, people have plenty of other choices,” says a senior distributor.
Perhaps that is the biggest message from the recent box-office trend. Biryani may remain a favourite in the Telugu states, but sambar is certainly finding more takers at the theatres!
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
