The September box office fared a bit differently this time. Big, medium-range, and small movies were released.
Beyond just the box office results, it's notable that there's an interesting discussion in the industry and among audiences about two small films.
There were no big releases in the first week of September. While Vijay's starrer GOAT was significant for the Tamil audience, it didn't generate much interest in Telugu. The movie, which came with low expectations, failed to ignite excitement and left viewers frustrated.
However, 35-Chinna Katha Kadu, which also released that week, impressed many and left a lasting impact. The film featured a well-crafted emotional story. The presence of an actress like Nivetha Thomas added to its appeal. As a result, it gave the feeling of watching a good, heartfelt movie. The background music and direction by Nandakishore were additional strengths.
The September box office, which began with a heart-touching movie, entertained audiences in the second week. Mathu Vadalara 2 brought laughter to theaters. This movie is a situational comedy, and audiences enjoyed it without overthinking or focusing on logic.
However, Bhale Unnade, Utsavam, and ARM, which released in the same week, flopped. Raj Tarun had high hopes for Bhale Unnade, but it didn't meet expectations. Similarly, ARM, starring Tovino, failed to make an impact despite years of anticipation.
In the third week, despite the release of half a dozen films, none were particularly noteworthy. One of them, Gorre Puranam starring Suhas, sank due to poor publicity. The re-release of Bommarillu was limited to just 3-4 screens.
The much-awaited Devara-1 arrived in the last week of September. Shows began late at night, and mixed reactions followed soon after. While NTR's star power gave the film a good first week, it didn’t live up to audience expectations, particularly due to dissatisfaction with the climax.
It will take a few more days to determine whether this film, made with a huge budget, will end up a financial failure or break-even.
Alongside Devara-1, the film Satyam Sundaram also released that week. Starring Karthi and Arvind Swamy, the film resonated emotionally with audiences, but didn’t fare well at the box office. Had it been released without competing with Devara-1, the outcome might have been different.
Overall, around 18 movies were released in September. Mathu Vadalara 2 was a clear hit. 35-Chinna Katha Kadu and Satyam Sundaram touched the hearts of audiences, sparking a conversation about the need for more films like these. The verdict on Devara-1 is still pending.