'Bhagavanth Kesari' and 'Leo' were released in theaters on October 19. On the following day, 'Tiger Nageswara Rao' was released. Barring the original makers of 'Leo', who didn't directly speak to the Telugu media, the makers of the other two films expressed supreme confidence that their films will be the Dasara winners. Director Vamsee of 'TNR' even said that his biographical action thriller will be the biggest mass film.
By the end of Saturday, it became clear who is the Dasara winner. The prize goes to Nandamuri Balakrishna's film. Director Anil Ravipudi's treatment has impressed the audience even though the film suffers from glaring logic issues. The film's share in the Telugu States by the end of Day 3 stood at nearly Rs 20 Cr.
'Leo', starring Thalapathy Vijay in a complex role, made about Rs 14 Cr share in three days by the end of the third day.
'TNR', which was only two-days old at the box-office by the end of Saturday, made a share of less than Rs 7 Cr in the Telugu States. The sub-par openings can be attributed to the film's underwhelming trailer and the projection of Nageswara Rao not as a grey character but as a messiah.
It is clear that 'TNR' will struggle to catch up and 'Leo' will lag behind Balayya's movie. Unless a miracle propels 'Leo', 'Bhagavanth Kesari' will become the clear Dasara winner. The verdict is almost clear.
