Sree Vishnu, often hailed as a “minimum guarantee” hero in Tollywood, recently arrived at the box office with his investigative thriller, Mrithyunjay. Directed by Hussain Sha Kiran, the film garnered positive word-of-mouth for its focused narrative and Sree Vishnu’s intense performance. However, as the film completes its first week and enters the second weekend, the box office numbers tell a story of steady performance mixed with uphill challenges.
A Solid Start and Weekday Trends
Released on March 6, 2026, Mrithyunjay opened to decent reviews from both critics and the general audience. Unlike Sree Vishnu’s typical comedy-driven entertainers, this film saw him in a serious avatar as Jay, a man who uncovers a series of murders disguised as accidents.
The film’s opening weekend was promising, showing growth on Saturday and Sunday. However, the true test of any content-driven film is the “Monday Test.” While the film saw a dip on its first Monday, it maintained a steady flow in urban centers and multiplexes.
First Week Worldwide Collections (Breakdown)
According to trade estimates, here is the approximate share collection for Mrithyunjay at the end of its first week:
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Nizam: ₹1.13 Cr
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Ceded: ₹0.23 Cr
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Andhra (Total): ₹0.65 Cr
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AP/TG Total: ₹2.01 Cr (Share)
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Rest of India & Overseas: ₹0.48 Cr
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Total Worldwide Share: ₹2.49 Cr
The Break-even Hurdle
The theatrical rights for Mrithyunjay were reportedly sold for approximately ₹6.00 Crores. To be declared a “Clean Hit,” the film needs to recover a total share of roughly ₹6.50 Crores.
With a first-week share of ₹2.49 Crores, the film still needs to pocket another ₹4.01 Crores to reach the safe zone. While the makers held a success meet recently expressing satisfaction with the film’s reach, the trade remains cautious. The lack of major competition in its second week provides a golden opportunity for the film to bridge this gap.
Second Weekend Outlook
The second weekend is pivotal for Mrithyunjay. The film’s strength lies in its “no-frills” approach—avoiding unnecessary songs or forced romantic tracks—which has resonated well with the A-center audiences. If the movie can capitalize on the current positive word-of-mouth and pull in the family audience over the next three days, it stands a chance to achieve a “respectable” status at the box office.
Verdict: A Content-Driven Attempt
Regardless of the final commercial verdict, Mrithyunjay marks a significant departure for Sree Vishnu. His collaboration with director Hussain Sha Kiran (a protege of Sukumar) has been appreciated for its technical finesse and Kaala Bhairava’s gripping background score.
Will the “conqueror of death” also conquer the box office by the end of its theatrical run? Only the coming week will tell.
