The latest cinematic offering from actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, 'Vilayath Buddha', is facing significant challenges in maintaining its presence in theatres. The film's box office performance has taken a sharp downturn, raising concerns about its commercial viability.
Disappointing Box Office Numbers
Recent trade reports present a grim picture for the film. On its twelfth day in cinemas, 'Vilayath Buddha' managed to collect a mere Rs 6 lakhs. This low figure adds to the growing worry about the film's ability to recover its costs.
Compiling data from trade sources, the film's India Gross collection currently stands at approximately Rs 5.93 crore. Its performance in international markets has brought the Worldwide Gross to around Rs 8.53 crore. A breakdown shows that the Overseas contribution is Rs 2.60 crore, leading to an India Net total of Rs 5.09 crore. These numbers clearly indicate that the film is struggling to attract audiences and is on a downward trajectory at the box office.
Mallika Sukumaran's Fiery Response to Cyber Hate
As the film receives negative reviews and faces online criticism, a strong voice has emerged in its defence. Noted actress and Prithviraj's mother, Mallika Sukumaran, has taken to social media to express her frustration and anger.
In a sharply worded Facebook post that has since gone viral, she condemned the wave of cyber hate targeting the film and its team. Without naming anyone specifically, Mallika criticised online trolls who attack actors while hiding behind anonymous or locked social media profiles.
She wrote in Malayalam, expressing her respect for those who reacted in support of the character 'Shammi' from the film. Her post took aim at what she called "heroic warriors" who create locked profiles, often using pictures of deities, unknown women, or children, to make money through trolling and personal attacks for attention.
Her statement translates to: "Among the so-called heroic warriors who make money without even flinching, who lock their profiles after putting money in their pockets and displaying photos of Krishna, some woman, or an innocent child, I feel respect towards those personalities who reacted in support of Shammi."
What This Means for the Film
The combination of poor box office returns and a polarized online reception paints a difficult path ahead for 'Vilayath Buddha'. The film's performance highlights the unpredictable nature of the industry, where even projects with known stars can face unexpected hurdles.
Mallika Sukumaran's public intervention also underscores the growing tension between film personalities and the culture of anonymous online criticism, which often crosses into personal attacks. The industry is increasingly witnessing such defences from family members and colleagues of artists.
While the final commercial verdict on 'Vilayath Buddha' is still unfolding, the current data suggests a steep uphill battle for the film to reach a break-even point. The coming days will be crucial in determining its ultimate fate in cinemas across the country and abroad.
