Chiyaan Vikram, a name that has become synonymous with versatility and power-packed performances, is going through a tough phase in his career. His new film, Veera Dheera Sooran, directed by Arun Kumar, was touted to be the grand comeback of the star. The posters and promos had generated a reasonable buzz, and the recently launched trailer had met with a positive response from the audience. Yet the advance bookings for the movie have been telling a different story, sending fans and trade circles into a tizzy.
A Career at the Crossroads: Vikram’s Struggles Continue
The rise of Vikram in the world of Tamil cinema has itself been nothing but a miracle. Having produced cult movies to innovating with alternative characters, Vikram has had an uncaring mind to restrict his talent until recently. Ever since the recent years, nothing but failure greeted Vikram in every box-office. Veera Dheera Sooran hence represented a timely reversal of trend for the hero.
Vikram spared no efforts in the film’s promotions, doing interviews, public appearances, and actively interacting with the public. The producers, too, spared no effort in making sure the film saw more people. However, with all these measures in place, the advance bookings reveal a scary picture.
Dismally Low Advances: VDS’s Troubled Beginning
Hopes were high that Veera Dheera Sooran would leave a strong impression at the box office, but the initial figures have been underwhelming. In Tamil Nadu, a crucial market for Vikram, the movie has been able to collect only ₹20 lakh worth of advance bookings till now. What is more concerning is the single-digit occupancy in legendary theaters.
For a movie of such magnitude, these figures are an alarming red flag. Usually, a star attraction’s movie gets great pre-release word of mouth, which turns into fantastic advance bookings. But that is not the situation for Veera Dheera Sooran. With the current trend, the movie will have to have very favorable word-of-mouth (WOM) to lure audiences to the cinema halls once it has opened.
Is it a Double-Edged Release Strategy?
One interesting thing about Veera Dheera Sooran is the unusual release pattern. The film is a multi-part production, but the filmmakers have chosen to release the second part initially. This unusual mode of storytelling can hook viewers through an engaging storyline, but there are risks attached to it too.
As the audience does not know the complete backstory, the success of this installment is imperative. A lackluster reception would put the franchise in jeopardy, and the stakes are even higher for Vikram and the team. Fans are eagerly waiting for the content of the film to win hearts and bring a positive turn at the box office.
Empuraan Overshadows VDS in Tamil Nadu
Joining Vikram in his troubles is the intense competition from Mohanlal’s highly anticipated film Empuraan. Releasing on the same day, Empuraan is currently leading the advance booking race in Tamil Nadu, with its sales significantly higher than Veera Dheera Sooran.
Mohanlal’s loyal fan base, along with the word of mouth for the film, has provided Empuraan a strong advantage. In fact, there are those who feel that Empuraan could open larger than Veera Dheera Sooran even in Tamil Nadu — something that would have been unimaginable a few years back when Vikram had enormous box-office draw.
A Tough Road Ahead: Will WOM Save the Day?
As the clock ticks towards the film’s release, all eyes are now on the audience’s verdict. The fate of Veera Dheera Sooran hinges on strong word-of-mouth. If the film manages to strike a chord with viewers, it could witness a turnaround post-release.
But if the first reaction is lackluster, even Vikram’s star power may not be sufficient to rescue it. In the Telugu market, too, the going is even more difficult, with a number of straight films and dubbed versions competing for space. The Telugu version, Veera Dheera Soora, will also require a huge push to keep it afloat.
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A Make-or-Break Moment for Vikram
Veera Dheera Sooran is more than a movie to Vikram — it’s a challenge to his endurance as a box-office attraction. Fans are still optimistic that his acting, along with Arun Kumar’s direction, will be enough to change the tide of the movie.
Whether this film will mark a grand comeback or add to his string of disappointments remains to be seen. One thing is certain — the next few days are crucial for Vikram’s career, and only time will tell if Veera Dheera Sooran can rise from these shocking advance numbers and emerge victorious.
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