Devara: Part 1 Takes Box Office by Storm with a Stellar ₹77 Crore Opening
The much-anticipated film Devara: Part 1, featuring Tollywood star Jr NTR and Bollywood sensation Janhvi Kapoor, made a grand entry at the box office on its release day, delivering an exceptional opening performance. On its first day, the movie grossed an impressive ₹77 crore across all languages, according to industry reports from Sacnilk. The action-packed drama, directed by Koratala Siva, has captivated audiences, achieving a remarkable 79.56% occupancy in Telugu cinemas alone.
The ensemble cast includes Jr NTR in the lead, with Janhvi Kapoor making her Telugu debut, while Saif Ali Khan stars as the antagonist, Bhairava. Additional notable appearances include Shruti Marathe, Zarina Wahab, and Talluri Rameswari. The film is a collaboration between Yuvasudha Arts and NTR Arts, produced by Sudhakar Mikkilineni, Kosaraju Harikrishna, and Nandamuri Kalyan Ram.
Behind the Scenes: Underwater Action Sequences
During the promotional campaign for Devara: Part 1, the cast, along with director Koratala Siva, engaged in a revealing conversation with filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga. In this interview, Jr NTR disclosed that a significant portion of the filming involved underwater sequences, which added an extra layer of challenge to the production.
Jr NTR shared insights into the making of these scenes, explaining that the team initially considered filming at an existing facility in Kapoli, which houses one of India’s largest pools. However, they ultimately decided to build a custom pool at the studio to accommodate the extensive action sequences. “We spent around 30 to 35 days shooting underwater. It was a challenging yet phenomenal experience,” Jr NTR revealed. These water-based scenes play a crucial role in the film, as the story unfolds in the coastal regions of India, making water an integral element of the narrative.
Devara Breaks Records with Massive Day 1 Collections
The first installment of Devara has not only captured the audience’s attention but also broken records, making it the highest Telugu opener of 2024. Released on September 27, 2024, the film tells the story of a father and son who rise to defend the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh. The film had built substantial momentum even before its release, with strong pre-sale numbers contributing to its phenomenal first-day earnings.
On its opening day, Devara collected approximately ₹75 crore domestically, while its worldwide earnings soared to around ₹140 crore. The film’s Telugu version dominated the box office, raking in ₹68 crore in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, while the Hindi version added ₹7 crore. Other regional versions, including Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam, contributed ₹30 lakh, ₹80 lakh, and ₹30 lakh, respectively.
How Devara Outperformed Kalki 2898 AD
Devara: Part 1 has set a new benchmark, surpassing the box office performance of Prabhas’ much-anticipated sci-fi epic, Kalki 2898 AD. Prabhas’ film had previously set a high bar with a ₹65.8 crore opening in the Telugu market. However, Devara outdid these figures by grossing ₹68.6 crore on its first day in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana alone, cementing its position as a major blockbuster.
The film’s success can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the star power of Jr NTR, the buzz generated during its promotional tour, and the exciting action sequences that left audiences eager for more. Devara also benefited from excellent word-of-mouth, further boosting its occupancy rate, particularly in the Telugu-speaking regions.
Jr NTR Breaks the ‘Rajamouli Jinx’
Jr NTR’s performance in Devara has been widely praised, marking a significant achievement in his career. The actor’s previous collaborations with director S.S. Rajamouli had set extremely high expectations, often casting a long shadow over his subsequent releases. However, with Devara: Part 1, Jr NTR has successfully broken the so-called “Rajamouli jinx” by delivering a performance that not only meets but exceeds fan expectations.
The film’s captivating narrative, combined with its high-octane action sequences, has helped it stand out as a major box office draw. Director Koratala Siva’s storytelling, which merges family drama with intense action set against the backdrop of India’s coastal regions, has resonated deeply with audiences, further cementing the film’s success.
Future Prospects for Devara: Part 1
With such a strong opening, Devara: Part 1 is well on its way to becoming one of the highest-grossing films of the year. The film has already garnered significant attention in international markets, and its worldwide collections are expected to continue growing over the coming weeks. Given the overwhelming response to the first part, there is significant anticipation surrounding the release of Devara: Part 2.
The film’s producers are already gearing up for the next installment, which promises to take the story forward with even more action-packed sequences and emotional depth. As the father-son duo’s journey continues, fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be an epic conclusion to this cinematic saga.
Conclusion
Devara: Part 1 has proven to be a box office sensation, setting new records with its massive day-one collections. With stellar performances by Jr NTR, Janhvi Kapoor, and Saif Ali Khan, along with Koratala Siva’s masterful direction, the film has become a major success, especially in the Telugu-speaking regions. The film’s high-energy action sequences, particularly the underwater scenes, have captivated audiences and contributed to its rapid rise at the box office.
As Devara continues to shatter records, its place in Telugu cinema history is assured. Fans are now looking forward to the release of Devara: Part 2, which promises even more cinematic brilliance.