After a promising start on Friday, January 12, with the release of Mahesh Babu’s ‘Guntur Kaaram,’ the film encountered an unexpected decline on its following day at the box office. Surpassing expectations on its opening day with a remarkable Rs 41.30 crores net collection across India, it seemed as though the Trivikram Srinivas directorial would continue its upward trajectory. However, the tide quickly turned as Day 2 saw a drastic drop, with only Rs 13 crores approx being added to its earnings. Combining these figures, the total net collection stood at around Rs 54.30 crores, marking a concern for the film’s future performance. The worldwide earnings, as disclosed by the film’s team, hovered at about Rs 94 crore.
Within the vibrant tapestry of ‘Guntur Kaaram’, Mahesh Babu shines in the lead role, delivering his first on-screen performance since ‘Sarkaru Vaari Paata’ from 2022. The film, written and directed by Trivikram Srinivas, also features other paramount actors such as Meenakshi Chaudhary and Sreeleela. The soundtrack’s allure was amplified by the compositions of S Thaman, matched visually by the expertise of Naveen Nooli’s editing and Manoj Paramahamsa’s and PS Vinod’s cinematography. ‘Guntur Kaaram’ is a production of Haarika & Hassine Creations that hit theatres on January 12.
Despite its notable start, ‘Guntur Kaaram’ has not been able to steer clear of critical reviews that underpin the film’s overarching themes and depiction of characters. In a broader discussion on cinema’s influence on culture, the film has been described as a contentious issue, igniting conversations about the responsible portrayal of sensitive content. As the narrative delves into the lives of the film’s characters such as Satyam, Vyara Vasundhara, and the protagonist Ramana played by Mahesh Babu, the story unfolds into a complex plot with political undertones and interpersonal conflicts.
Notably, ‘Guntur Kaaram’ casts a light on its character portrayals and sequences that can be perceived as indulgent in violent and outdated depictions, especially with regards to the portrayal of women. Sreeleela’s character, Ammu, becomes a point of contemplation for critics, whose part in the film has sparked discussions about cinema’s portrayal of gender roles. Mahesh Babu’s portrayal of his character is remarked upon as being in a space that requires evolution to break away from certain repetitive cinematic tropes that can impact an actor’s resonance with audiences.
‘Guntur Kaaram’s confrontation with both box office numbers and critical voices encapsulates a pivotal moment for Mahesh Babu and the filmmakers. The coming days will be telling, as the film’s overall impact is gauged by its economic success and its positioning in the socio-cultural ecosystem of cinema. Will Mahesh Babu’s stardom and the film’s commercial elements bounce back from this critical second-day slump, or will they heed the critique drawing attention to cinematic responsibility? Only time will tell the full unfolding of ‘Guntur Kaaram’s journey post-release.