The Hindi-dubbed version of Nandamuri Balakrishna‘s action film “Daaku Maharaaj” has had a disastrous run at the Indian box office in its first week. Released on January 24th alongside Akshay Kumar’s “Sky Force,” the film struggled to attract audiences and earned less than ₹30 lakh in its opening week.
Lack of Buzz and Competition from “Sky Force”
Several factors contributed to the film’s poor performance. Firstly, there was a distinct lack of buzz surrounding the Hindi release of “Daaku Maharaaj.” The film’s marketing campaign failed to generate significant interest among Hindi-speaking audiences, and many were simply unaware of its release.
Secondly, the film faced stiff competition from “Sky Force,” which dominated the box office in its opening week. The patriotic action-thriller starring Akshay Kumar proved to be a major draw for audiences, leaving little room for other films to succeed.
Underwhelming Performance in the Original Telugu Version
Even before its Hindi release, “Daaku Maharaaj” had underperformed in its original Telugu version. While Nandamuri Balakrishna has a dedicated fan base in the Telugu-speaking states, the film failed to meet expectations and received mixed reviews from critics. This lukewarm reception in its home market further dampened the prospects of the Hindi version.
A Complete Washout
The box office numbers for “Daaku Maharaaj” paint a bleak picture. According to industry sources, the film opened with a meager ₹5 lakh on its first day and failed to gain any momentum over the weekend. By the end of its first week, the film had only managed to collect an estimated ₹24 lakh, a dismal figure for a film starring a popular actor like Nandamuri Balakrishna.
Early Exit from Theaters
Given its disastrous performance, “Daaku Maharaaj” is expected to be pulled from most theaters soon. With the release of new films and “Sky Force” continuing its strong run, the film has little chance of recovering its losses.
A Setback for Nandamuri Balakrishna
The failure of “Daaku Maharaaj” is undoubtedly a setback for Nandamuri Balakrishna, who is known for his mass-appealing action films. While the actor enjoys a loyal fan base, this film failed to resonate with audiences. It remains to be seen how this will affect his future projects and his standing in the Hindi film market.
Final Thought
The box office performance of “Daaku Maharaaj” serves as a reminder of the challenges involved in releasing dubbed films in the Hindi market. Without a strong marketing campaign, positive word-of-mouth, and a compelling narrative, even films starring popular actors can struggle to find an audience.
