Sankranti, the auspicious Telugu festival, often sees a slew of high-profile film releases vying for box office dominance. This year is no different, with an exciting lineup featuring established stars like Mahesh Babu and Venkatesh alongside promising newcomers like Teja Sajja. However, a surprising twist has emerged in the pre-release buzz, with Sajja’s “Hanu-Man” unexpectedly outpacing the much-anticipated “Guntur Karam” from the legendary Mahesh Babu.
According to BookMyShow, a leading online ticketing platform, “Hanu-Man” leads the pack with 169.5k users expressing interest in watching the film, edging out “Guntur Karam” with its 168.7k interests. This unexpected gap has generated significant buzz and sparked discussions about the changing dynamics of audience preferences.
While Mahesh Babu’s star power remains undeniable, and “Guntur Karam” is poised for a strong box office opening due to his fan base, the surge of interest in “Hanu-Man” signifies a growing appetite for fresh content and compelling narratives outside the realm of established superstars.
What further fuels this excitement is the intriguing premise of “Hanu-Man.” The film, touted as a superhero action flick, blends mythology with contemporary storytelling, piquing the interest of a wider audience. Teja Sajja, though relatively new to the industry, has built anticipation with his impressive stunts and dedicated portrayal of the titular character.
While pre-release buzz doesn’t always translate directly to box office success, the strong interest in “Hanu-Man” is a testament to the changing audience landscape. Viewers are increasingly open to exploring innovative stories and talented newcomers, suggesting a shift towards prioritizing content over mere star power.
Other films in the Sankranti race, including Venkatesh’s “Saindhav” and Nagarjuna’s “Naa Sami Ranga,” may also find their niche appeal within this diverse audience. Ultimately, the box office battle will play out over the Sankranti weekend, but the pre-release buzz has undoubtedly established one thing: this year’s Sankranti film season promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable one, with fresh narratives and rising stars potentially rewriting the box office playbook.
With its unique blend of mythology, action, and a promising young lead, “Hanu-Man” has generated an unexpected wave of excitement among cinephiles. Whether it lives up to its pre-release buzz and challenges the established stars at the box office remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Sankranti 2024 promises to be a thrilling battle for audience attention, with both established stars and fresh talent vying for cinematic supremacy.
