The Telugu adaptation of the highly anticipated Hindi film ‘Animal,’ starring Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna, has sealed a substantial deal worth Rs 15 crores in the Telugu states. However, industry insiders are cautious about the risk associated with recovering such a hefty investment. The concern stems from audience preferences, with Andhra Pradesh largely favoring the Telugu version while Telangana leans toward the Hindi rendition. This divide leads to fewer theaters for the Telugu adaptation and potential challenges in generating high collections.
Sources emphasize the significant proficiency in Hindi among viewers in the Nizam region, especially in Hyderabad. This linguistic comfort zone raises questions about the feasibility of the Rs 15 crore deal. To balance the investment, substantial revenue must come from key cities like Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Nellore.
Set for a global release on December 1, ‘Animal’ is touted as the highest-priced dubbed Hindi film in recent times. The familiarity of Rashmika Mandanna, known for her roles in ‘Geeta Govindam’ and ‘Pushpa,’ and director Sandeep Vanga, acclaimed for ‘Arjun Reddy,’ is expected to attract audiences in the Telugu states. Ranbir Kapoor’s involvement in a captivating role adds to the movie’s allure, instilling optimism among Telugu distributors.
The growing trend of Bollywood stars gaining traction in Telugu states, evident in the success of films like ‘Jawan’ and ‘Tiger 3,’ further bolsters prospects for ‘Animal’ in the Telugu market.