Malayalam Psychological Thriller 'Eko' Continues Box Office Dominance
The Sandeep Pradeep starrer psychological action drama 'Eko' is demonstrating exceptional staying power at the box office, delivering a remarkable performance during its second weekend that has surprised industry observers and delighted fans alike.
Impressive Second Weekend Surge
According to data compiled from Sacnilk and other industry sources, 'Eko' registered an impressive jump on its second Saturday, collecting approximately Rs 2.25 crore on Day 9 of its theatrical run. This represents a significant increase from its Friday collections of Rs 1.45 crore, indicating strong word-of-mouth and growing audience interest.
The film's occupancy rates tell a compelling story of viewer engagement. On Day 9, the Malayalam occupancy stood at 34.96%, with late-evening and night shows driving the majority of ticket sales. This pattern suggests that working professionals and young audiences are particularly drawn to the cinematic experience.
The film's cumulative performance is equally noteworthy. After posting an impressive first week total of Rs 11.65 crore India net, the second weekend surge has pushed the total domestic collections to approximately Rs 15.35 crore. This sustained momentum is rare for films in their second week and speaks volumes about the movie's quality and audience appeal.
Cast and Crew Celebrate Film's Success
In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, actor Saurabh Sachdeva, who plays the pivotal role of Kuriachan in the film, expressed deep admiration for the creative team behind 'Eko'. He shared enthusiastic praise for the director and writer, who also served as cinematographer, highlighting the multifaceted talent behind the project.
"It is a very good movie, and I am so impressed by the director, the writer who is also the cinematographer," Sachdeva revealed. "The music takes the story forward so beautifully, and the way he writes the screenplay is truly remarkable. Till now, he is my best filmmaker, and I am proud that I am a part of this."
The actor went beyond praising technical aspects to highlight the film's emotional core. "The acting of everyone is not just very good, the story itself is beautiful," he added, suggesting that the narrative strength is what truly sets 'Eko' apart from conventional releases.
Mystery Character Keeps Audiences Guessing
Without revealing crucial plot details, Saurabh Sachdeva also teased the psychological mystery surrounding his character Kuriachan, explaining why he's cautious about discussing too much of the role's intricacies.
"They have to interpret it themselves because it is a very mystic character in a way," Sachdeva explained. "It is a person who everyone wants to know more about and I should not talk too much, because if I reveal anything, it may take away something the audience should discover on their own."
The actor emphasized the importance of audience discovery, noting that questions like "Why is this? Who is this?" should naturally emerge during viewing. This strategic ambiguity appears to be working in the film's favor, as evidenced by the strong second-weekend numbers.
Directed by Dinjith Ayyathan, 'Eko' features an ensemble cast including Sandeep Pradeep, Vineeth, Narain Kumar, Binu Pappu, Saurabh Sachdeva, and Ashokan in crucial roles. The film's unique blend of psychological depth and action elements seems to have struck a chord with audiences looking for substance alongside entertainment.
The sustained box office performance of 'Eko' represents a significant achievement for the Malayalam film industry, demonstrating that content-driven cinema can achieve commercial success when executed with vision and creativity.
