The highly anticipated Bollywood debut of Telugu superstar Jr NTR in the spy action thriller 'War 2' has been followed by significant financial revelations from its distributor. Despite massive pre-release hype as a major pan-India film, the Ayaan Mukerji-directed sequel, starring Hrithik Roshan, failed to meet box office expectations, leading to substantial losses, particularly in the Telugu states.
The High-Stakes Deal and Box Office Reality
Filmmaker and distributor Naga Vamsi, who acquired the theatrical rights for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, has now spoken openly about the finances. According to a report, Vamsi purchased the Telugu rights for a staggering Rs 68 crores, a figure that did not include GST. The Goods and Services Tax was reportedly covered by the production house, Yash Raj Films, prior to the film's release.
However, the film's performance in the two Telugu-speaking states was underwhelming. 'War 2' managed to generate only around Rs 35 to 40 crores in share from these regions. This gross mismatch between the acquisition cost and the revenue generated inevitably led to heavy losses for the distributor.
A Pre-Planned Safety Net: The Rs 18 Crore Refund
In a significant disclosure, Naga Vamsi revealed that the makers of the film had a contingency plan in place. He stated that Yash Raj Films had promised support if the movie did not perform well commercially. Staying true to their word, the producers refunded him Rs 18 crores after the film's release.
This refund substantially reduced his financial burden. Vamsi clarified that after receiving the money back, his net loss was contained to approximately Rs 10 to 15 crores. He emphasized that many speculative reports circulating about massive losses were exaggerated and incorrect. The producer praised YRF for their professionalism and support during a difficult period, noting they stood by him despite the film's failure.
Nag Vamsi's Double Disappointment: A Word on 'Kingdom'
The conversation also touched upon another box office letdown for Vamsi: the Vijay Deverakonda-starrer 'Kingdom'. He shared his perspective on the film's underwhelming release. Reports indicated that his uncle, Chinna Babu, had engaged in discussions with director Gowtham Tinnanuri for three months concerning the film's second half. Vamsi suggested that the intent with 'Kingdom' was to break stereotypes, though the final result did not resonate as expected with audiences.
These revelations highlight the high-risk nature of film distribution, especially for big-budget pan-India ventures. They also underscore the importance of ethical partnerships, where producers share the burden of a film's performance with their distribution allies.
