Every year, in an Industry with hardly 5-10% or 10-15% success rate in a rare good year, the number of flops will always be high. But 2019 marks for the Telugu Cinema as the year of major bombshells that brought down high flying Telugu Cinema to ground after Baahubali, Mahanati, Rangasthalam in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
This year, the biggest duds from Telugu Cinema are not Saaho and Sye Raa Narsimha Reddy. In fact, they recovered 60-65% of investments with Sye Raa becoming third biggest hit in Telugu Cinema after Baahubali films by coming close to Rangasthalam, in Telugu States. Saaho also made it to Top 3 in Worldwide list after Baahubali films.
So, they might have lost money but percentage of loss is not as high as the films, we are going to talk about here.
Ranarangam
Movie did not collect any money after the first day as the movie received the worst possible talk for any film from the First Show. Right from critics to fans of Sudheer Varma, Sharwanand, everyone hated the film. It lost more than 70% of the money and production house, did not care to spend even a paisa on the film post first weekend.
NTR Mahanayakudu
The film lost 90% of the investments. Yes, staggering 90% of the investment. It did not manage a first day first show collection that a normal NBK film would gross. Director Krish, NBK, producers promised to return money to distributors post release.
NTR Kathanayakudu
This film opened to positive talk from fans, critics. Very few predicted that the movie will be a flop as even celebrities like Mahesh praised the film. From second day, even during Sankranthi season, movie did not find audience and even on digital platform it did not find much appreciation. Movie lost close to 65% for the distributors. Director Krish had to bare the brunt of length but NBK was praised for acting like his father, NTR on screen.
Ruler
It is rare to find a year where a hero delivered films that have all become disasters. In 2001, Nagarjuna faced such a situation but three of his 4 films released, recovered more than 65%. He came back immediately, in 2002 with Santhosham. In 1987-1991 period, Krishna went through a phase post Simhasanam where most of his films lost close to 50% and that is regarded as the worst possible period for any Star hero. But NBK created a record this year with Ruler, which is on the verge of losing 70-75% of amounts.
RDX Love
Well, Shakeela or someone from Mallu Cinema during late 90's would have done this story for far less budget and more appreciation from lusty viewers. But the film ended being an embarrassment for Payal Rajput and everyone involved. Movie lost close to 40% of amounts to distributors.
Vinaya Vidheya Rama
In a lackluster Sankranthi season, even Ram Charan - Boyapati Srinu combination failed to deliver. Movie collected good enough revenues as mass audiences watched it during Sankranthi season as family audiences preferred F2. But content was so trolled that Ram Charan apologised and movie lost 38% of amounts. Overseas distributors took major hit as they thought people will come to watch Ram Charan, but that wasn't the case.
Manmadhudu-2
Manmadhudu became a name we refer Nag with but his second edition to the possible series of films, Manmadhudu-2 ended being an embarrassment to the actor, majorly because of the content. Rahul Ravindran who won National Award for Screenplay of Chi.La.Sow, just turned immature to understand a script and franchise like Manmadhudu. The adult jokes did not Nagarjuna's family audiences and movie lost close to 35% of amounts.
Chanakya
Gopichand Thota, after long struggle could release Chanakya during Dussehra and the film ended up as an embarrassing disaster for the actor. Thiru's story and direction were highly critiqued by many. Movie lost close to 50% of amounts to distributors. Producer already released for loss, say trade experts.
Hippi
When you consider Karthikeya Gummakonda's career, except for RX100, none of his films worked at box office. We can say that he needs to concentrate on building audiences to his films by acting in different roles in other hero films as Hippi and 90 ML brought his market considerably down. Hippi lost more than 55% and 90 ML lost close to 52% of amounts.
Sita
Bellamkonda Suresh asked his son to not be a part of this film. It almost ended Kajal Aggarwal's career in Telugu cinema and Teja, may not find a producer for his next film, for some years. This one became a testimony of how low can Teja go in writing and how bad can Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas can act! Movie lost more than 60% of amounts.
Mr. Majnu had a decent opening to call it a major disaster for Akhil but his search for hit continues. Nani's Gang leader saved itself due to the opening and low costs.
This year, the biggest duds from Telugu Cinema are not Saaho and Sye Raa Narsimha Reddy. In fact, they recovered 60-65% of investments with Sye Raa becoming third biggest hit in Telugu Cinema after Baahubali films by coming close to Rangasthalam, in Telugu States. Saaho also made it to Top 3 in Worldwide list after Baahubali films.
So, they might have lost money but percentage of loss is not as high as the films, we are going to talk about here.
Ranarangam
Movie did not collect any money after the first day as the movie received the worst possible talk for any film from the First Show. Right from critics to fans of Sudheer Varma, Sharwanand, everyone hated the film. It lost more than 70% of the money and production house, did not care to spend even a paisa on the film post first weekend.
NTR Mahanayakudu
The film lost 90% of the investments. Yes, staggering 90% of the investment. It did not manage a first day first show collection that a normal NBK film would gross. Director Krish, NBK, producers promised to return money to distributors post release.
NTR Kathanayakudu
This film opened to positive talk from fans, critics. Very few predicted that the movie will be a flop as even celebrities like Mahesh praised the film. From second day, even during Sankranthi season, movie did not find audience and even on digital platform it did not find much appreciation. Movie lost close to 65% for the distributors. Director Krish had to bare the brunt of length but NBK was praised for acting like his father, NTR on screen.
Ruler
It is rare to find a year where a hero delivered films that have all become disasters. In 2001, Nagarjuna faced such a situation but three of his 4 films released, recovered more than 65%. He came back immediately, in 2002 with Santhosham. In 1987-1991 period, Krishna went through a phase post Simhasanam where most of his films lost close to 50% and that is regarded as the worst possible period for any Star hero. But NBK created a record this year with Ruler, which is on the verge of losing 70-75% of amounts.
RDX Love
Well, Shakeela or someone from Mallu Cinema during late 90's would have done this story for far less budget and more appreciation from lusty viewers. But the film ended being an embarrassment for Payal Rajput and everyone involved. Movie lost close to 40% of amounts to distributors.
Vinaya Vidheya Rama
In a lackluster Sankranthi season, even Ram Charan - Boyapati Srinu combination failed to deliver. Movie collected good enough revenues as mass audiences watched it during Sankranthi season as family audiences preferred F2. But content was so trolled that Ram Charan apologised and movie lost 38% of amounts. Overseas distributors took major hit as they thought people will come to watch Ram Charan, but that wasn't the case.
Manmadhudu-2
Manmadhudu became a name we refer Nag with but his second edition to the possible series of films, Manmadhudu-2 ended being an embarrassment to the actor, majorly because of the content. Rahul Ravindran who won National Award for Screenplay of Chi.La.Sow, just turned immature to understand a script and franchise like Manmadhudu. The adult jokes did not Nagarjuna's family audiences and movie lost close to 35% of amounts.
Chanakya
Gopichand Thota, after long struggle could release Chanakya during Dussehra and the film ended up as an embarrassing disaster for the actor. Thiru's story and direction were highly critiqued by many. Movie lost close to 50% of amounts to distributors. Producer already released for loss, say trade experts.
Hippi
When you consider Karthikeya Gummakonda's career, except for RX100, none of his films worked at box office. We can say that he needs to concentrate on building audiences to his films by acting in different roles in other hero films as Hippi and 90 ML brought his market considerably down. Hippi lost more than 55% and 90 ML lost close to 52% of amounts.
Sita
Bellamkonda Suresh asked his son to not be a part of this film. It almost ended Kajal Aggarwal's career in Telugu cinema and Teja, may not find a producer for his next film, for some years. This one became a testimony of how low can Teja go in writing and how bad can Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas can act! Movie lost more than 60% of amounts.
Mr. Majnu had a decent opening to call it a major disaster for Akhil but his search for hit continues. Nani's Gang leader saved itself due to the opening and low costs.