The Telugu version of Ilayathalapathy Vijay's "Puli" has concluded its opening weekend with a decent collection at the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (AP/T) box office.
Read: Puli Telugu audience review | Telugu critics review
After having been delayed for one and half day due to financial issues, "Puli" was released in over 400 cinema halls in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on Friday evening. The movie debuted with a good amount of occupancy in all the centres across these two states. The film garnered mixed reviews from the viewers. Photos: Puli before and after VFX Shots
"Puli" was estimated to have grossed approximately Rs 1 crore at the AP/T box office on the first day. The business of "Puli" was not up to the expected mark on its opening day as many were not aware of its release. But, the news about its release spread like wild fire and boosted advance booking for the following days.
The Vijay starrer received an earth-shattering response on its second day. The movie registered an average of 80% occupancy in both multiplexes and single screens on Saturday. It ran to packed houses in some centres and the audience, who did not get tickets, were seen leaving the theatres with heavy hearts. The film grossed approximately Rs 3 crore at the AP/T box office on the second day.
SVR Media owner CJ Shobha Rani, who has bought the distribution rights of its Telugu version, was bowled over by the earth-shattering response for the movie. The distributor added 250 shows on Sunday to cater to the demand of the mass. The movie witnessed a big leap in its business and collected approximately Rs 4 core at the AP/T box office on its third day.
As per the trends, "Puli" has collected approximately Rs 8 crore at the AP/T box office in its first weekend. The distributor share stands at approximately Rs 3.5 crore. The movie has been successful in recovering over 40% of the investment to its producers in these two states. However, these figures are estimated numbers and the makers are yet to reveal the details of its action collection.
It should be said here that "Puli" would have made better collection than its present business at the AP/T box office, if it had been released on the scheduled date. The Chimbu Deven-directed fantasy-adventure film could have got over 70% of the investments to the distributors in its opening weekend.
