2016 USA Telugu Movies Box-office

2016 : The Hits, The Flops & The Year in US Box-Office

The year 2016 has been mixed result for Tollywood in USA. As 71 movies were released, 5 more are scheduled for year’s last week, total Telugu movies releasing in 2016 will be 76. In this article we are presenting you box-office facts and statistics for 2016 in USA. Out of 71, Only Two movies had grossed $2 Million ,Two movies grossed between $1.5 to $2M, Four movies grossed between $1M- $1.5M, Nine more movies grossed between $500K to $1M. (For details refer the table at the end of article )

26 of these movies have collected under ten thousand dollars each & 12 movies collected between $10K – $50K ; thus a total of 38 movies could not collect even a single dollar as exhibitor share. In other words, 50% of total number of releases, failed to recover even a single dollar share – forget about original investment

Biggest hit of the year 2016 is Nithiin, Samantha starrer A..AA… directed by ace director Trivikram Srinivas. With a staggering $2.5 Million-dollar gross, this musical romantic entertainer reinforces the fact this genre is still hottest in USA.

Biggest hits in terms of return on investment are Vijay Devarakonda’s Pellichoopulu ( $1.23M), followed by Nikhil’s Ekkadaki Potavu Chinnavaada ( $0.72M)  and Nenu Sailaja ( $0.64M). Especially on Pellichoopulu & Ekkadaki Potavu Chinnavada movies, exhibitors made 20 times profit on their investment. Though Jyo Achutananda had grossed $0.61M , which is good amount for small budget movies, we are not terming it as a hit because almost all exhibitors had lost money on it. It was sold for higher rates

Biggest disasters of the year 2016 are Maheshbabu’s Brahmotsavam, closely followed by Pawan Kalyan’s Sardaar Gabbarsingh. Blindly banking on these two top stars in USA market, exhibitors had paid unprecedented amounts as royalty to suffer colossal losses. Though these two movies collected $1.15M, $1.07M respectively, that’s far lower than required. With these two disasters, it had been proven yet again content has precedence than star power in USA.

Biggest money spinner of the year 2016 is Jr.NTR aka Tarak. Realizing the changing market dynamics for Telugu movies, this quick learner had made wise decision – to switch his career from mass oriented to urbane oriented roles. His strategy worked big time finally with Nannaku Prematho , Janatha Garage. Nannaku Prematho has grossed $2.02Million-dollar, Janatha Garage $1.81 Million-dollar gross and cumulative total of NTR movies is $3.83Million in Year 2016. Thus in 2016, Biggest star is NTR !

Another star hero who has dream-run this year is Nagarjuna. With Oopiri ($1.57M) Soggade Chinni Nayana ( $0.84M) this senior hero is the second most successful star hero of 2016

Stylish star Allu Arjun had a disappointing year 2016. His movie Sarrainodu had collected a mediocre amount of $800K, exhibitors had lost 40-50% of their investment.

Mega hero Ram Charan Tej got much needed break in USA with Dhruva movie. Collected $1.23M as on today, this movie is poised to collect approximately $1.3M in full run. However, still it falls short of break even for USA exhibitors.

Natural star Nani had a great year in 2016. Carrying his 2015 dream hit Bhale Bhale Magadivoy’s winning streak, he scored two good hits in 2016 with KVPG $800K and Gentleman $900K. Another movie Majnu, though collected a decent $512K, has ended up as a loss venture for all exhibitors.

Naga Chaitanya had a decent year at Box-office. His Premam ($0.83M) has become a good hit , Sahasam Swasaga Sagipo ( $0.3M) is just below average.

Victory Venkatesh’s Babu Bangaram has grossed half million and ended up as an average fare at USA Box-office
Senior hero N.Balakrishna had one release Dictator which flopped badly, grossed just $103K.Nandamuri Kalyanram had one release ISM which has collected $135K but could not give him much needed break

Prabhas, Akhil and RANA didn’t have any releases this year

Heroes who delivered a series of flops in  2016 are Nara Rohit (5 movies), followed by Sunil and Naga Shourya (3 movies each). Especially Mr. Nara Rohit had a terrible year in 2016 with Tuntari ( $20K ), Raja cheyyi vesthe ( $17K) , Savitri ( $24K) and Sankara ( $230 Dollars),his movies could not even recover partial expenses. Only decently grossed one movie Jyo Achyutananda was a multi starrer, but that too ended up as a flop at Box-office

Dubbing movies Rajani’s Kabaali ($4.6Million), Surya’s 24 ($1.63 M) and Karthi’s Kaashmora ($0.36M) are released in USA as Tamil, Telugu language versions combined for box-office tracking perspective. Hence it is unknown what percentage of their total is from Telugu version.

Allu Sirish continue to disappoint his fans with flop movies.He made a record of sort by releasing his Srirasthu Subhamasthu movie twice in USA. However, for both releases together, it has ended up grossing mere $52K in full run.

Another mega hero Sai Dharam Tej too had a bad year 2016. His Supreme ($65K), Thikka ($6K) movies ended up as disasters in USA.

Young Hero Sharwanand scored one hit Express Raja, and that’s the only his release of this year

Epic hits of 2016 are Selfie Raja and Eedu Gold Ehe which collected $48 Dollars, $64 Dollars respectively in their full run.

Stay Tuned for more 2016 rewind articles….