Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart has turned out to be a disappointing performer at the box office despite being mounted on a lavish scale.
The film, directed by Hardik Gajjar, was reportedly produced with a budget of nearly 60 crore.
However, after completing 10 days in theatres, the movie has managed to recover only 28.36 percent of its total investment.
There is a common belief in the trade that devotional and Hindutva-themed films enjoy a strong advantage at the box office because of audience sentiment and cultural connection.
Yet, the performance of Krishnavataram proves that religious themes alone cannot guarantee commercial success.
Many expected the film to perform exceptionally well after the massive success of Mahavatar Narasimha last year.
Unlike that animated feature, Krishnavataram was made with live actors and its trailer showcased grand visuals and rich production values. Still, audiences did not respond positively to the film.
According to a trade analyst, even the current 28 percent recovery happened mainly because of the film’s devotional backdrop.
He added that strong content and emotional connection ultimately matter the most, and with better word of mouth, the movie could have already entered the profit zone.
