Just a few hours remain until the premiere of ‘Devara‘ (Devara: Part 1). Directed by Koratala Siva and starring Jr NTR, the film is set for a grand worldwide release tomorrow (September 27). Janhvi Kapoor, daughter of Sridevi and Bollywood beauty, stars opposite Tarak, while noted Hindi actor Saif Ali Khan plays the antagonist, generating nationwide buzz. With over 500 premieres in the Telugu states, the advance booking trends worldwide suggest that ‘Devara’ will easily garner over ₹120 crores on its first day. Let’s explore how this is possible.
₹125 Crores Confirmed for Day One!
Tarak’s ‘Devara’ has already broken several records before its release, creating massive hype. Tickets worldwide are selling like hotcakes. The governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have even allowed an increase in ticket prices. Record-breaking presales are happening overseas. Given this backdrop, it is evident that ‘Devara’ will easily gross over ₹125 crores on its first day, and industry insiders estimate that an additional ₹10-15 crores wouldn’t be surprising. According to pre-bookings, the film is expected to earn ₹65 crores in the two Telugu states alone, with ₹8-10 crores coming from Hindi-speaking regions. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and the rest of India could collectively contribute another ₹10-15 crores. Overseas, ‘Devara’ is set to make a significant impact, with trade circles predicting an easy ₹30-35 crores on the first day alone. Overall, the film is firmly expected to cross ₹125 crores on its opening day.
What’s the Break-Even Target?
The pre-release business for ‘Devara,’ directed by Koratala Siva and starring NTR, has been phenomenal. Theatrical rights alone have been sold for ₹185 crores, according to trade sources. In the two Telugu states, the rights went for ₹115 crores, with the Nizam area alone fetching ₹45 crores. Ceded region reported ₹22 crores in business, while Karnataka saw ₹15 crores, Tamil Nadu ₹6 crores, and Kerala ₹0.5 crores. In the US, the film sold for ₹26 crores and ₹15 crores in the Hindi belt. In total, all areas combined for a pre-release business of ₹185 crores. If the film collects a share of ₹200 crores, it will break even.
Anirudh’s First Review of ‘Devara’
Young music sensation Anirudh Ravichander provided the soundtrack for ‘Devara.’ In a recent interview, he commented on the film’s hype: “I was amazed during the scoring of the background music. I kept wondering how they managed to make such a great film. It’s a wonderful action drama. Such films allow for creative experiments in music. We aimed to provide a fresh experience for the audience, completing 95% of the recording work overseas. Watching ‘Devara’ will give you a feeling similar to watching Hollywood films like Avengers and Batman. It has emotion, drama, action, and intensity. Audiences coming to the theaters are in for a phenomenal experience. I’m looking forward to seeing this movie on the first day, first show,” said Anirudh.
A Telugu Actress as Saif’s Wife
It’s known that Saif Ali Khan plays the villain in ‘Devara.’ Telugu senior actress Chaitra Rai stars as his wife, causing her name to surge in popularity. “Getting the opportunity to act alongside stars like NTR and Saif Ali Khan is my good fortune,” said Chaitra. She was thrilled to meet Tarak and Saif on set. Chaitra first became known through the ‘Ashta Chamma’ serial and is currently acting in the ‘Radhaku Neevera Pranam’ serial. She hopes that a good recognition from ‘Devara’ could keep her busy in movies too.
A Rare Feat in Two Countries
‘Devara’ is currently trending on social media and has achieved a new milestone by setting a record in Australia and New Zealand. It will be the first Indian film to be shown in a significant number of Dolby Atmos shows in these two countries, with 13 screens in Australia and 3 in New Zealand. Additionally, ‘Devara’ recently set a record in North America’s ticket presales, becoming the fastest Indian film to reach the $1 million mark in presales.
