Ravi Teja known for his high-energy performances and mass appeal, has faced a challenging period at the box office with his recent films. While he remains a prominent figure in Telugu cinema, the financial success of his last five releases has been mixed. Here’s a detailed look at how these films fared at the box office:
Ram Pothineni has experienced a notable shift in his career in recent years. While he once enjoyed a series of successful films, his last five releases have shown a downward trend in box office performance. Here’s a look at the box office collections of his recent films and how they have impacted his career.
1. iSmart Shankar
Released in July 2019, iSmart Shankar was a significant success for Ram Pothineni. Directed by Puri Jagannadh, the film was a blockbuster, ending its run with a distributor share of ₹34.55 crore. With theatrical rights valued at ₹17 crore, iSmart Shankar became the highest-grossing film in Ram’s career. It performed exceptionally well in its first week and maintained its momentum despite stiff competition. However, the film’s appeal was somewhat limited to a younger audience which affected its ability to reach a broader family audience.
2. RED
RED, released during the Sankranti festival in January 2021 received mixed reviews but still managed to do well at the box office. The film’s theatrical business was around ₹18 crore, and it grossed ₹36 crore worldwide. While the film had a decent performance, it didn’t reach the heights of iSmart Shankar but still represented a moderate success for Ram.
3. The Warrior
Ram Pothineni’s The Warrior released in July 2022 faced a significant setback. Despite having decent initial collections, the film was deemed a disaster at the box office. It ended its run with ₹21.65 crore shares worldwide, a disappointing result given the high expectations. The film struggled to make a notable impact and was criticized for various reasons, contributing to its failure.
4. Skanda
Released on September 28, 2023, Skanda was heavily criticized for its story, political satire, direction, and performances. The film, which had a substantial budget of ₹95 crore, only managed to gross ₹59.20 crore, making it a box office bomb. The negative reviews and criticisms significantly impacted its performance.
5. Double iSmart
The sequel to iSmart Shankar, Double iSmart, was released on August 15, 2024. Directed again by Puri Jagannadh, the film aimed to capitalize on the success of its predecessor but faced mixed-to-negative reviews. The initial buzz was strong, and the film opened with ₹7.35 crore on its first day. However, it saw a sharp decline in earnings, with Day 2 collections falling to ₹1.64 crore and Day 3 further dwindling to ₹0.09 crore, totaling ₹9.08 crore over the first three days. The removal of certain scenes due to trolling and the film’s mixed reception have raised doubts about its long-term success.
Ram Pothineni’s recent films illustrate a troubling trend in his career. While iSmart Shankar was a major success, subsequent releases like The Warriorr, Skanda, and Double iSmart have not met expectations, impacting his box office standing. To reverse this decline, Ram Pothineni needs to reassess his script choices and collaborate with filmmakers who can bring fresh, engaging stories to the screen.
