Khaidi No.150: More Business, More Risk

The hoopla surrounding megastar Chiranjeevi's big comeback, hike in ticket prices and the expanded market of Telugu cinema has helped Khaidi No.150, which is scheduled for release for Sankranthi 2017, to do staggering pre-release business of over Rs 100 Cr. So, what is at stake here? Is it a calculated move or risk from Mega coterie?If we recall, Pawan Kalyan's last release 'Sardaar Gabbar Singh' also had similar economics and hoopla. A demigod actor in lead, commercial elements, a top actress (Kajal in both cases), Top Music director (Devi Sri), a holiday season etc. in favor.Despite collecting a worldwide share of around Rs 50 Cr, Sardaar was termed a disaster since it had also done a pre-release business of about Rs 100 Cr. The expanded market and hiked ticket rates are advantageous, but considering the changed tastes of Telugu audiences, if at all the content doesn't strike a chord with them, no actor could save a film at box office.On the downside for Khaidi No.150, it is a remake, there is already a wave of negativity engulfed with the promos concentrating only on megastar and ignoring the theme (farmers' suicides), megastar's damaged image in political arena, Vinayak's disaster record with his last two films, not so appealing songs etc.Moreover, Khaidi No.150 will have to compete with Nandamuri Balakrishna's historical film 'Gautamiputra Satakarni', which has become an eagerly awaited one especially after the release of trailer. Dil Raju's Sathamanam Bhavathi, which also hits screens for sankranthi, can't be downplayed.Since it is his prestigious comeback, Chiru played safe game by opting for a remake. But, the makers look to have taken a huge risk by selling the rights to exorbitant prices. The film has to recover big bucks and even it falls short by even a few crores, it might be called the incompetence of Chiru.