Rajinikanth Outwits Vijay Deverakonda to Emerge Dasara Winner
Rajinikanth undoubtedly enjoys an advantage, as Jailer 2 is the sequel to his earlier blockbuster Jailer, which performed strongly at the Telugu box office. Once again, the veteran star has demonstrated his considerable following in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Superstar Rajinikanth has outperformed Telugu star Vijay Deverakonda at the box office in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana this Dasara, with his action thriller Jailer 2 racing ahead of the period drama Ranabaali, starring Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna.
“Rajinikanth’s charisma and popularity are unmatched,” says a leading distributor. He points out that Jailer 2 has garnered a share of around Rs 22 crore in the Telugu states in the last few days, while Ranabaali has collected approximately Rs 14 crore. The gap highlights the challenge facing Vijay’s film as it attempts to gain momentum.
Telugu distributors reportedly acquired the theatrical rights to Jailer 2 for over Rs 43 crore. Although the investment initially appeared risky, the film is now moving towards the break-even mark and could recover its theatrical business in the coming days. In contrast, Ranabaali needs a substantial improvement in collections, with another Rs 25 crore reportedly required for recovery in Telugu states, the distributor points out.
Rajinikanth undoubtedly enjoys an advantage, as Jailer 2 is the sequel to his earlier blockbuster Jailer, which performed strongly at the Telugu box office. Once again, the veteran star has demonstrated his considerable following in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Meanwhile, Ranabaali presents Vijay Deverakonda in a larger-than-life role as he takes on the might of the ruthless British in a period drama. His on-screen chemistry with Rashmika Mandanna has its moments and appeals to his fans, but the film has fallen short of expectations at the box office.
Director Hemanth Madhukar believes the two films are fundamentally different in their themes and storytelling. “Their themes are as different as chalk and cheese. While Rajinikanth’s film is a contemporary story, Ranabaali draws from history and has been made with a great deal of passion,” he says.
He adds that Rajinikanth's star power has helped Jailer 2 overcome the limitations of a wafer-thin plot revolving around an ex-cop and idol smugglers. The film's dark humour and the superstar's screen presence appear to have struck a chord with Telugu audiences.
Madhukar also acknowledges Vijay Deverakonda's standing as a contemporary star, pointing to his successes with films such as Arjun Reddy and Geetha Govindam. “Perhaps Vijay wanted to attempt something different this time. He has essayed a saviour's role with a degree of conviction, and his chemistry with Rashmika also has its moments. However, audiences may not have responded as expected to the depiction of British atrocities against Indians. Above all, the intended negativity spread about Ranabaali on social media, which began with the trailer, surely would have affected its box-office performance, he concludes.
