Despite Tamil star Vikram’s earlier films like ‘Cobra’, Mister KK,’ and ‘Swamy Square’ failing to impress Telugu audience, producer-director Gautam Menon has reportedly pocketed Rs 7 crores from distributors in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. “Barring ‘Ponniyin Selvan’, Vikram was going through a lean trot in Telugu states. However, the heady combination of Vikram and Gautam Menon seems to have given confidence to Telugu distributors,” says a source who claims that the Telugu dubbed version of the spy thriller is being valued at Rs 7 crore. “The total value is a mix of both outright and distribution but still it is a good price for a Vikram movie these days,” he adds.
Actually, Vikram was hailed as a versatile actor after his dubbed movies like ‘Sivapruthudu’, ‘Aparachitudu,’ and ‘I’ minted money in Telugu states and Telugu audiences hailed his acting brilliance. “Vikram proved that he could slip into any kind of role with ease. From a burial guard in ‘Sivaputrudu,’ to an upright lawyer who turns a vigilante in ‘Aparachitudu’ and model-turned-killer in director Shankar’s ‘I’. He recently returned with a bang with ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ as he played the King Karikalan with consummate ease in this magnum opus,” he adds.
However, ratings were dented a bit after duds like ‘Sketch’ and ‘Inkokkadu’ in Telugu states, while his rivals like Suriya, Vijay, and Karthi took over his place. "Vikram is also banking on his other film ‘Thangalan’ to break his jinx in the Telugu market and revive his winning habit,” he points out.
Recently, his colleagues like Rajnikanth and Vijay stormed the Telugu box office and minted over Rs 45 crores together. 'Tamil films are working now, so Vikram is looking to score a massive hit," he concludes
