The Hindi version of Daaku Maharaaj, starring Nandamuri Balakrishna and Bobby Deol, has turned out to be a colossal disappointment at the box office. The film managed to earn only ₹10 lakhs in its first two days of release, signaling a complete lack of interest from the Hindi-speaking audience.
Despite featuring Bobby Deol, a known Bollywood star, and a Hindi-sounding title to attract northern audiences, the movie failed to strike a chord. While it created some initial buzz in the Telugu market, the momentum could not be sustained. Balakrishna and his team had hoped Bobby Deol’s inclusion would increase the film’s appeal in the Hindi belt, but the response has been underwhelming.
Industry analysts expected the movie to act as a stepping stone for Balakrishna in Bollywood, given the strategic title and casting choices. Many fans hoped that this venture would pave the way for Balakrishna’s next release, Akhanda 2: Thaandavam, to gain traction across India. Unfortunately, Daaku Maharaaj’s disastrous performance has left little optimism for his Bollywood aspirations.
The film’s failure raises questions about its marketing strategy and the disconnect with Hindi-speaking audiences. While Balakrishna continues to have a strong fan base in Telugu cinema, his Bollywood dreams have taken a significant hit with this box office debacle. It remains to be seen how this setback will impact his upcoming projects.