Despite mixed talk, Korean Kanakaraju, starring Varun Tej and Ritika Nayak, has maintained a rock-solid hold on its second day.
The response at several centres remains encouraging, with audiences continuing to turn up at theatres.
The film appears to be benefiting from the curiosity created around its promotional campaign, particularly the buzz generated online.
The online promotions have played a key role in keeping the film in the conversation.
The “amateurish” controversy surrounding Satya’s imitation of senior NTR, along with Muralidhar Goud’s get-up resembling Balakrishna’s look from Akhanda, created considerable discussion on social media.
While the reactions have been mixed, the controversy has clearly helped the film gain visibility and build hype among the audience.
The bookings for today (Saturday), the second day of release, are looking very strong, suggesting that the film has managed to convert its promotional buzz into theatrical footfalls.
The real test, however, will be whether this momentum continues over the next couple of days. Monday numbers will provide a clearer picture of the film’s staying power.
If Korean Kanakaraju manages to sustain well through the Monday test, the signals will be clear that the film is heading towards a successful run.
A strong hold on Monday could put the film in a comfortable position to emerge as a hit and achieve breakeven with relative ease.