The much-anticipated Malayalam action film 'Vilayath Buddha', headlined by superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran, is experiencing a dramatic and sustained freefall in its theatrical collections. The movie's performance has shown no signs of recovery, with its fourteenth-day earnings painting a particularly bleak picture for the producers.
A Steep and Sustained Decline
According to the latest industry estimates reported by the Sacnilk website, 'Vilayath Buddha' managed to scrape together only Rs 4 lakhs on its fourteenth day in theatres. This figure marks yet another drop in a consistently declining trend throughout its second week. The daily collections tell a grim story: Day 11 brought in Rs 8 lakhs, Day 12 saw Rs 6 lakhs, Day 13 earned Rs 5 lakhs, culminating in the Rs 4 lakhs low on Day 14.
The cumulative numbers are equally disappointing for a film with such a prominent cast. The worldwide total currently stands at approximately Rs 8.63 crore. A detailed breakdown reveals an India Net collection of Rs 5.18 crore, an India Gross of Rs 6.03 crore, and overseas earnings adding up to Rs 2.6 crore. Despite the initial hype and a strong promotional push, the film has failed to connect with a wide audience, with the majority of critical and public reviews ranging from average to mixed.
Star-Studded Cast Fails to Draw Crowds
Directed by Jayan Nambiar, 'Vilayath Buddha' boasts a powerful ensemble of performers. Alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film features acclaimed actors like Suraj Venjaramoodu, Anu Mohan, Shammi Thilakan, Rajashree, and Priyamvada Krishnan. However, the combined star power has not translated into box office success. Industry analysts suggest that the film's narrative and execution did not meet audience expectations, leading to poor word-of-mouth, which is crucial for longevity in cinemas.
Cyberattack Controversy and Police Case
Adding to the film's troubles is a significant off-screen controversy. Producer Sandeep Senan has filed an official police complaint alleging a targeted cyberattack campaign against 'Vilayath Buddha'. The complaint was lodged at the Ernakulam North Police Station.
Senan has accused a specific YouTube channel of spreading content filled with "religious and political hatred" under the guise of a film review. According to the producer, the reviewer deliberately distorted the movie's storyline to create social polarization and fuel a coordinated online attack against the film and its lead actor, Prithviraj Sukumaran. The controversial video allegedly branded the film as politically motivated and resorted to personal attacks on the actor, escalating the discourse beyond cinematic critique.
This legal move highlights the modern challenges filmmakers face, where online narratives can significantly impact a project's reception. Whether this controversy contributed to the box office downfall or is a separate issue remains a point of discussion within the industry.
The journey of 'Vilayath Buddha' serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the film business, where big budgets and big names are no guarantee of success. All eyes are now on the film's performance in the coming days and whether it can find a second life on digital streaming platforms.
