Despite the substantial anticipation and extensive promotional efforts, "Kalki 2898 AD" is experiencing a lukewarm reception at the box office, struggling to captivate large audiences and maintain momentum. In Rajahmundry, traditionally considered a stronghold for actor Prabhas, several theaters are reporting occupancy rates of only 40 to 50 percent, a statistic that raises concerns among industry insiders. One distributor notes, "While the film is performing relatively better in Hyderabad's city cinemas and multiplexes, it has managed to collect over Rs 70 crore share across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over the past three days. However, for a Prabhas film, where the expectations are sky-high, these numbers seem lackluster and insufficient."
He further elaborates that "Kalki 2898 AD," a science fiction thriller, has resonated with urban and educated audiences due to its technical prowess and ambitious scale. "Urban moviegoers and those well-versed in Hollywood filmmaking are embracing the film, commending its grandeur and technical brilliance. However, the movie has yet to fully capture the interest of wider demographics, needing to accelerate its appeal more effectively."
The distributor highlights that the film's appeal to urban and educated classes is evident in their enthusiastic response, but "the lack of significant turnout from mass and family audiences is telling, given that a 3D film ought to attract these groups in greater numbers. Family audiences and children are critical for a film's blockbuster status, yet they are not attending in large numbers, even with the film's impressive 3D visual spectacle. The underperformance in B & C centers, which typically draw larger crowds, is impacting the action-adventure's collection figures, making it a challenging endeavor to achieve significant box office success."
In conclusion, despite the film's technical achievements and appeal to certain demographics, the absence of broad audience engagement, particularly from families and children, coupled with the tepid response in key regional markets, is impeding "Kalki 2898 AD"'s journey to becoming a commercial triumph. The distributor's insights underscore the importance of a film's ability to resonate with diverse audience segments for sustained success in the competitive world of cinema.