Devara box office prediction: Can Jr NTR succeed in Hindi without SS Rajamouli's appeal?

    With advance ticket sales pushing toward a Rs 100 crore debut globally, Devara is set to become Jr NTR’s biggest solo opener.

    Jr NTR in and as Devara

    Jr NTR in and as Devara

    Telugu superstar Jr NTR's upcoming film Devara: Part 1 is poised for an explosive box office debut, with global advance ticket sales indicating a first-day gross exceeding Rs 100 crore. This will mark the highest opening in Jr NTR's solo career, generating enormous excitement among fans and industry insiders alike.

    Jr NTR's previous film RRR, directed by SS Rajamouli, saw a historic worldwide opening of over Rs 220 crore. However, much of RRR's pull came from Rajamouli's directorial prowess, particularly outside the Telugu states and in many parts of the world. The film also featured Ram Charan as one of the leads, and this powerful combination of director and actors ensured an earth-shattering opening for RRR. This time, the success of Devara rests squarely on NTR's stardom, with industry watchers eager to see how it fares, especially in North India.

    Korata Siva, the director, doesn't have the same appeal in the Hindi belt as Rajamouli. But thanks to Jr NTR’s newfound admiration post-RRR, Devara is expected to make a respectable debut in the North. "The Hindi version could bring in Rs 4-5 crore on its opening day, with the total collections across North India potentially hitting Rs 8-10 crore," predicted producer and film expert Girish Johar. 

    The presence of Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor in key roles is expected to help the film's performance in the Hindi market. "It's the second big film after Stree 2, and audiences are eager for a strong commercial entertainer," Johar added.

    In the Telugu states, Devara is already breaking records, with pre-release ticket sales crossing Rs 36 crore, and shows starting as early as 1 AM on Friday. With two days still left before its official release, the film’s global advance sales have surged past Rs 51 crore, making it one of the most anticipated films in recent times.

    The box office performance of Devara will depend on post-release reviews, especially in the Hindi markets. However, in South India, the film is expected to dominate and set new benchmarks for the Telugu film industry.