Jr NTR’s much-anticipated film Devara – Part 1 opened to a stellar box office collection, grossing ₹140 crore worldwide on its first day. Despite its impressive numbers, the film still lags behind Kalki 2898 AD, which set a higher benchmark by earning ₹191.5 crore globally on Day 1.
In India, Devara – Part 1 netted ₹77 crore across multiple languages, with the Telugu version driving the majority of the earnings. The Telugu market alone contributed ₹68.6 crore, underscoring the film’s massive popularity in South India. The Hindi version, in contrast, managed a modest ₹7 crore, while the Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam versions brought in smaller amounts of ₹0.3 crore, ₹0.8 crore, and ₹0.3 crore, respectively.
The film’s strong performance in the Telugu-speaking regions was reflected in its occupancy rates. The Telugu version saw a robust 80% occupancy during the morning shows, which increased to 87.45% by the night shows. The Hindi version, however, had a slower start, with an overall occupancy of just 18.37%, indicating a much stronger fan base in South India compared to other parts of the country.
Internationally, Devara – Part 1 also made its mark, particularly in North America. The film raked in $2.8 million from its premiere shows, outperforming major Hollywood releases like Beetlejuice and Transformers One, which together grossed $2.5 million. This overseas success further solidifies Jr NTR’s global fan following and the film’s international appeal.
Mixed Reviews but Strong Numbers
While Devara – Part 1 received mixed reviews from critics, its box office numbers tell a different story. Trade analysts note that despite the critical reception, the film has managed to become one of the top Day 1 grossers worldwide, driven by the star power of Jr NTR and the film’s high production values.
The film, directed by Kortala Siva, features a star-studded ensemble cast including Saif Ali Khan, marking his Telugu debut, and Janhvi Kapoor. The film’s visual spectacle, powerful performances, and compelling storyline have been pivotal in drawing large audiences to theaters.
As the weekend progresses, industry projections suggest that Devara – Part 1 could easily cross the ₹250 crore mark worldwide. With little competition from other films, especially in the Telugu-speaking regions, Devara is expected to dominate the box office over the coming weeks. The film’s performance will largely depend on how well it sustains this momentum through strong word of mouth and positive audience feedback.
Competition with Kalki 2898 AD
Though Devara has had a strong start, it still falls short of the record set by Kalki 2898 AD, starring Prabhas, which grossed ₹191.5 crore globally on its opening day. However, with the right mix of fan support, regional dominance, and strong international earnings, Devara has the potential to narrow the gap in the days to come.
