The highly anticipated film Devara, starring Jr NTR, Janhvi Kapoor, and Saif Ali Khan, has set the stage for a massive opening, both domestically and internationally. Directed by Koratala Siva, this sea-adventure film has been making waves even before its release. The buzz surrounding Devara has led to a historic surge in advance bookings, suggesting that the film is poised to be one of the biggest openers of 2024.
Pre-release Hype and Advance Bookings
Devara is Jr NTR’s first film since his worldwide blockbuster RRR (2022), and fans have been eagerly awaiting his return to the big screen. This anticipation has translated into a massive demand for tickets, especially in the southern states of India. As of two days before its release, the global advance bookings for Devara have reached an impressive ₹50 crore (approximately $6 million). In fact, in just 24 hours, the film’s pre-sales saw a staggering 208% growth, with over 1 million tickets sold across more than 5,500 shows.
This phenomenal advance booking is being driven by both Jr NTR’s star power and the excitement surrounding the film’s unique sea-based narrative, which also stars Bollywood actors Janhvi Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. The combination of these stars has contributed to strong interest across India, although the southern states—Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu—are leading in ticket sales.
Regional Dominance
In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where Jr NTR has a massive fan following, the response has been particularly overwhelming. Advance bookings in Telangana have brought in over ₹14.2 crore, with Andhra Pradesh following close behind at ₹10.3 crore. Hyderabad is leading the charge, contributing ₹11.7 crore in gross bookings, followed by Bengaluru with ₹3.45 crore.
The government of Andhra Pradesh has even allowed an increase in multiplex ticket prices for the first weekend, which is expected to further boost the film’s opening day collection. In total, over 1,187 shows have already been sold out in Andhra Pradesh, contributing to the overall impressive numbers.
Worldwide Impact
While the domestic market is key to the success of Devara, the film is also performing well internationally. The movie’s global advance bookings have surpassed ₹40 crore, indicating that the film is expected to resonate with audiences outside India as well. This is especially true in regions with significant Telugu-speaking populations, such as the United States, where Jr NTR has a dedicated fan base.
Analysts predict that Devara could rake in over ₹100 crore globally on its opening day, making it Jr NTR’s biggest solo opener to date. If the film manages to live up to expectations, it could solidify Jr NTR’s standing as one of India’s most bankable stars.
Comparisons to Other Blockbusters
In terms of pre-release buzz and advance bookings, Devara is already being compared to some of the biggest releases of the year. Notably, it has surpassed the advance bookings of films like The GOAT and Stree 2, marking the second-highest pre-sales of 2024.
The massive 208% surge in just 24 hours demonstrates the strength of Devara‘s fanbase and the effectiveness of its marketing campaign. As the film inches closer to its release, expectations are high that it will continue to set records, especially in the southern markets.
Conclusion
With advance bookings nearing ₹50 crore globally, Devara is well on its way to a historic opening. Jr NTR’s star power, combined with the film’s intriguing premise and strong ensemble cast, has generated immense anticipation. While the southern states of India are expected to drive a significant portion of the film’s revenue, its international appeal suggests that Devara could emerge as one of the top-grossing films of 2024. Fans and industry insiders alike are eagerly awaiting September 27, 2024, to see how the film performs on its opening day
