11 August 2022
Hyderabad

After a dry spell of more than 2 months at the box office, last week’s releases—Bimbisara and Sita Ramam—have breathed life into the exhibition and distribution systems, with both the films doing exceptional business and continue to do so as we speak. While the industry bigwigs are burning midnight oil on why the audience are not coming to theatres like before from August 1 by halting shoots, the success of both the films has proven that audiences are ready to patronize cinema as long as they are given good content—the price of tickets notwithstanding. While both the films are looking at an extended run to increase their share of profits, Nithiin-starrer Macherla Niyojakavargam, which opens Friday, will be looking to carry the momentum forward.

Produced by Nithiin’s father Sudhakar Reddy, the film marks the debut of prominent editor MS Rajashekhar Reddy, who edited films like Businessman, Temper and Maestro among others, as a director. Kicking off the promotional campaign with the foot tapping Ra Ra Reddy number, the buzz around the film rocketed after the release of the trailer late last month. Ticking all the boxes for a commercial potboiler while presenting Nithiin in the role of an IAS officer Siddharth Reddy, who is hell bent on conducting free and fair elections in Macherla constituency as opposed to the wish of local don Rajappa (played by Samuthirakhani), suddenly Macherla Niyojakavargam became a film to watch out for. The presence of Rajendra Prasad, Brahmaji and Vennela Kishore who are comedy heavyweights should be another factor that should be working in favour of the film in addition to the dialogue and slick action. Nithiin, in all his promotional interviews, has been harping about the unique point the film discusses—another factor that should assist the film.

It has been some time since a well-made commercial entertainer has graced the Telugu cinema hallsMacherla Niyojakavargam, however, will not be the solo release of the week, as it has to face some stiff competition from Nikhil Siddharth-headlined Karthikeya 2 from Saturday. While the Nithiin-starrer has the early advantage—it is also opening in more number of screens— the industry wouldn’t mind if it’s a repeat of last week at the box office.