Venkatesh-Trivikram Film Falters At Box Office
Shaky plot, sub-par comedy and a choosy Gen Z audience tie down Aadarsha Kutumbam
The much-hyped combination of Venkatesh and Trivikram Srinivas has failed to strike a chord with Telugu audiences with their latest film, Aadarsha Kutumbam House No. 47.
The film registered a sharp decline in box-office performance. “Collections have dropped nearly 60 per cent, and it has shaken the trade,” says a distributor. He adds, “The film has managed to collect only around `20 crore so far and recovering the long-distance theatrical investment looks unlikely, considering that it needs to reach `44 crore to break even in the Telugu states.”
The actor-director duo has previously delivered clean entertainers and family dramas such as Nuvvu Naaku Nachavu and Malliswari. “Trivikram is a master of dialogues and light-hearted entertainers. His writing reflects a deep understanding of relationships and life, while his comic punchlines have become his trademark,” says a director.
In Aadarsha Kutumbam the two attempted a dark thriller and it appears to have failed to connect with audiences. “The wafer-thin plot, involving cops taking the help of a few family members to trap dreaded dacoits, has several loopholes. Even the comedy track fails to tickle the audience's funny bone, making it a half-baked affair,” he says.
Meanwhile, Venkatesh’s latest Instagram story has caught the attention of social media users, with many linking it to the film’s disappointing box-office performance. The actor shared a quote by Rhonda Byrne that reads, “Stress attracts more stress. Worry attracts more worry. Happiness attracts more happiness. Joy attracts more joy.”
However, producer C. Kalyan, president of the Telugu Film Producers Council, says, “I don’t think Venkatesh will be worried about one film not living up to expectations. He has delivered hits such as F2 and Sankranthiki Vasthunam and is an established star.”
He also points out that it has become very difficult to impress Gen Z audiences, who have access to a wide variety of entertainment. “Youngsters often decide whether to watch a film based only on its teaser or trailer. With so many entertainment options available, audiences have become selective, and filmmakers need to offer novelty to attract them,” he notes.
Collections have plunged 60%, with earnings at `20 crore against the `44-crore break-even mark.
