Nagabandham: The Secret Treasure was mounted on a grand scale with a reported budget of Rs 110 crore, as announced by the producers and director themselves.
The film received praise for its rich visuals, impressive production values, and extensive VFX work. However, the biggest problem surfaced on the very first day.
Many viewers who attended the premiere felt that the film was too long. With a runtime of over three hours, the narrative tested the patience of the audience.
Realising the issue, director Abhishek Nama trimmed nearly 20 minutes from the film soon after the premiere but that was ready for screening only after couple of days.
The general audience who watched the shorter version generally gave a better response. Many even said the film was good and wondered why it was not attracting houseful shows.
Unfortunately, the correction came a little too late. For a film without a major star, the premiere and Day 1 word of mouth are extremely important.
Once the initial talk turns negative due to length, it becomes very difficult to reverse public opinion. If the trimmed version had been screened from the beginning, the film might have enjoyed a much stronger opening.
Another mistake was the timing of the premiere. The premiere show began at 10:15 PM in Allu Cinemas and continued until around 1:30 AM.
Watching a three-hour fantasy adventure packed with action and heavy VFX at that hour was physically tiring for many viewers, and a few also fell asleep.
Fatigue naturally affected their viewing experience and, in turn, their reactions after the show. Had the premiere started around 7 PM, the audience would likely have been more energetic, leading to a more positive first impression.
The makers delivered a visually ambitious film, but simple release decisions worked against them.
A shorter runtime before release and a better premiere schedule could have made a noticeable difference to the film's early word of mouth.
Positive talk during the first 24 hours often decides the fate of medium and big-budget films that do not have established stars.
As of its 10th day, Nagabandham: The Secret Treasure has grossed approximately Rs 20.30 crore worldwide, according to Sacnilk.
The film is directed by Abhishek Nama and produced by Kishore and Nishita. It stars Virat Karna in the lead role.
Despite its technical strengths, the film serves as an example of how crucial runtime and premiere planning can be in determining a movie's box office journey.
