Bougainvillea Box Office Day 1: Kunchacko Boban-Jyothirmayi's thriller opens strong, faces mixed reactions
Bougainvillea entered theatres with high expectations but now faces mixed reactions from audiences, leaving its long-term box office success uncertain.
Bougainvillea poster
The latest Malayalam movie, Bougainvillea, helmed by Amal Neerad, has had a solid start at the box office. The film's promising opening can largely be credited to Amal Neerad's popularity among audiences. He is known for reshaping the visual grammar of mainstream Malayalam cinema and delivering stylized action films. With a stellar cast, including Kunchacko Boban, Jyothirmayi, and Fahadh Faasil, Bougainvillea generated strong buzz among cinephiles, which likely contributed to its impressive opening day earnings.
According to trade sources, Bougainvillea earned approximately Rs 6.5 crore on day one, a noteworthy feat considering its Thursday release. Over Rs 3 crore came from the Kerala box office alone. Outside Kerala, the film also gained significant traction in Bengaluru, where evening and night showings saw increased footfalls. However, the film has received mixed reactions, leaving its box office trajectory uncertain.
Bougainvillea is estimated to have cost around Rs 30 crore to produce. Based on early trends, the film might break even by the end of its opening weekend.
Set against the backdrop of a popular holiday destination in Kerala, Bougainvillea contrasts the scenic hilltop locations with an eerie mystery surrounding the lead characters. The story kicks off with a car accident that leaves Jyothirmayi's character, Reethu, with impaired memory. Her devoted husband, Dr. Royce Thomas (played by Kunchacko Boban), cares for her, but their seemingly mundane life takes a dark turn when Reethu becomes the prime suspect in a missing girl’s case, unravelling a web of secrets.
"Though the film takes its time to pick up steam, demanding patience from its audience, the payoff is worth the wait. The final reveal—reminiscent of Roger Kint’s iconic line, 'The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist'—hits like a gut punch," said a 3-star review from Desimartini.
Updated: October 18, 2024 10:43 AM IST
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