Nandamuri Balakrishna’s much-anticipated action thriller, Daaku Maharaaj, has witnessed an unpredictable journey at the box office. Despite a strong opening in Telugu states, the film struggled to maintain momentum and faced a disappointing response in the Hindi belt. Let’s take a closer look at the film’s earnings and overall performance.
A Strong Start but a Premature End?
Released during Sankranti, Daaku Maharaaj enjoyed a solid opening, thanks to Balakrishna’s massive fanbase. However, stiff competition from Sankranthiki Vasthunam impacted its long-term performance. While the film is now in its final theatrical run, it has already secured its position as Balayya’s third highest-grossing film in India.
Indian Box Office Performance (18 Days)
As per the latest updates, Daaku Maharaaj has collected ₹88.35 crore net in India within 18 days. This collection has surpassed Bhagavanth Kesari’s ₹85.50 crore, making it Balayya’s third highest-grosser. By tomorrow, it is expected to overtake Akhanda’s ₹89 crore to become his second-highest-grossing film ever.
Hindi Version: A Major Disappointment
While the Telugu version showed promise, the Hindi-dubbed release turned out to be a disaster. Released on January 24, alongside Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force, Daaku Maharaaj failed to attract audiences in North India.
- The film opened to poor collections and continued to struggle through the Republic Day weekend.
- Trade estimates suggest that the Hindi version will wrap up with a mere ₹25 lakh total, making it a box office failure in the North circuit.
What Went Wrong?
Despite Balakrishna’s mass appeal, several factors contributed to Daaku Maharaaj’s mixed box office results:
- Heavy Competition: Sankranti releases overshadowed its theatrical run.
- Underwhelming Content: Fans expected a blockbuster on the lines of Akhanda, but the film failed to recreate the same magic.
- Weak Hindi Market Performance: Unlike South India, the film failed to connect with North Indian audiences.
Final Verdict
Though Daaku Maharaaj has emerged as a major success in Telugu markets, its underperformance in Hindi regions has dented its overall profitability. The film’s worldwide gross remains decent, but its theatrical run is coming to an end sooner than expected.
Will Balayya bounce back stronger with his next project? Only time will tell!