The Sumanth-starrer has crossed ₹1.42 crore gross worldwide in two days, with the Telugu version driving almost the entire theatrical business. But mixed reviews and a modest Hindi response make Sunday’s hold crucial.
Mahendragiri Varahi Box Office Collection Day 2: Sumanth’s latest theatrical release Mahendragiri Varahi is facing a crucial early test at the box office. Released on September 11, the mythological action-adventure thriller opened to modest numbers but showed an improvement on its second day, according to the latest box-office figures.
Note: For optimal viewing on mobile devices, rotate the screen.
The film has collected approximately ₹1.42 crore India gross in two days, with its India net standing at around ₹1.24 crore. The Telugu version remains the clear backbone of the film, contributing approximately ₹1.23 crore net, while the Hindi version has managed only around ₹0.01 crore net so far.
For a film built around mythology, mystery, a devotional backdrop and a reasonably well-known ensemble cast, the numbers are not exactly roaring. However, the Day 2 increase offers the makers one small reason to remain hopeful: the film has not completely collapsed after its opening day.
Note: For optimal viewing on mobile devices, rotate the screen.
Mahendragiri Varahi Day 2 Collection: Growth, But Not Enough Yet
According to the available box-office data, Mahendragiri Varahi earned approximately ₹0.55 crore net on Day 1 in the Telugu market.
On Day 2, the film climbed to approximately ₹0.68 crore net, representing a noticeable jump over its opening day.
That takes the Telugu version’s two-day net total to roughly ₹1.23 crore.
The increase is encouraging, but the larger picture remains challenging. The film needs considerably stronger occupancy over Saturday and Sunday if it wants to convert its weekend into a meaningful theatrical recovery.
The current worldwide gross figure stands at approximately ₹1.42 crore, with overseas collections reported at ₹0 crore in the available figures.
In other words, Mahendragiri Varahi is currently depending overwhelmingly on the domestic Telugu market.
Why the Telugu Market Is Everything for the Film
The biggest takeaway from the first two days is just how heavily Mahendragiri Varahi depends on Telugu audiences.
The film has been released in Hindi as well, but the Hindi version’s reported ₹0.01 crore net collection indicates that the dubbed market has not yet become a meaningful contributor.
This matters because a multilingual release can normally provide a film with additional legs when one market slows down. In the case of Mahendragiri Varahi, that cushion currently does not appear to exist.
The film therefore needs its core Telugu audience to keep showing up.
And the timing is important.
Sunday will be the first major indicator of whether the Day 2 rise represents genuine word-of-mouth or merely a normal weekend build-up.
Mixed Reviews Could Become the Biggest Box-Office Problem
The film’s box-office journey is also being complicated by mixed critical reactions.
Mahendragiri Varahi revolves around a mysterious curse affecting a powerful family in the village of Mahendragiri. The story reportedly connects the family’s history with Goddess Varahi and a series of mysterious deaths. Sumanth plays Siddharth, a character who is sceptical of supernatural beliefs and attempts to investigate what is really happening.
The concept gives the movie an attractive combination of mythology, mystery, family secrets and supernatural thriller elements.
But several reviews have argued that the execution does not consistently match the potential of the premise.
Cinema Express described the film as a routine supernatural thriller and pointed to its slow first half, predictable elements and weaker characterisation. It also noted that the second half becomes more engaging when the mystery begins to unfold.
The Times of India similarly highlighted the mythology and Sumanth’s measured performance but felt that the slow-paced storytelling could test the audience’s patience.
Other reviews have been somewhat more favourable, suggesting that the climax and mystery elements provide enough entertainment for audiences interested in devotional thrillers.
That split is important.
A film does not necessarily need universal critical acclaim to succeed. What it does need is strong audience word-of-mouth.
At present, Mahendragiri Varahi appears to have curiosity but not yet the kind of explosive word-of-mouth that can transform a slow opening into a major theatrical run.
The Sumanth-Siddhu Jonnalagadda Factor
The casting is another interesting aspect of the film.
Sumanth leads the project, while the ensemble includes Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Aishwarya Rajesh, Malavika Nair, Brahmanandam, Vennela Kishore, Rajeev Kanakala and Meenakshi Goswami.
Siddhu Jonnalagadda and Aishwarya Rajesh, in particular, bring additional recognition to the project.
Interestingly, some reviews have described Siddhu Jonnalagadda and Aishwarya Rajesh as appearing in cameo or limited roles rather than functioning as conventional co-leads.
That could create a curious situation at the box office.
Their presence may have helped generate pre-release attention, but audiences expecting substantial screen time from the popular actors could potentially feel underwhelmed.
A Familiar Story Could Limit Repeat Interest
The core storyline is perhaps the film’s most interesting commercial challenge.
The narrative involves a centuries-old curse, a royal lineage and mysterious deaths linked to a goddess. The protagonist then enters the equation as an outsider attempting to discover whether the supernatural explanation is genuine.
The premise is commercially attractive, but reviewers have also drawn comparisons with earlier supernatural and curse-based films.
Cinema Express specifically observed similarities in the basic storytelling template with films such as Subrahmanyapuram, while also noting parallels that may remind viewers of Murari.
That does not automatically make Mahendragiri Varahi unsuccessful. But in today’s theatrical market, familiarity can become dangerous when the presentation does not deliver enough fresh twists.
The audience has seen plenty of supernatural mysteries.
The question is no longer simply “What is the mystery?”
It is “Why should I watch this mystery in a theatre?”
What the Weekend Could Change
This is where the next 48 hours become extremely important.
With approximately ₹1.42 crore gross in two days, the film has started from a relatively modest base. But its Day 2 increase from ₹0.55 crore net to ₹0.68 crore net suggests that the film has at least some ability to grow.
If Saturday and Sunday bring a substantial jump, Mahendragiri Varahi could stabilise as a niche Telugu theatrical performer and potentially benefit from audiences looking specifically for mythology-driven entertainment.
But if the film records only marginal growth over the weekend, the theatrical run could become extremely difficult.
The Hindi version is an even bigger concern. With only around ₹0.01 crore net reported from the Hindi market, there is currently little evidence that the dubbed release will materially change the film’s overall economics.
The Bigger Lesson for Sumanth
For Sumanth, Mahendragiri Varahi is another reminder of the difficult territory occupied by concept-driven mid-scale theatrical films.
The actor has increasingly been associated with films built around unusual concepts rather than conventional commercial formulas. That can create strong curiosity, but it also means the screenplay and execution have to do much of the heavy lifting.
Here, the ingredients are certainly present: mythology, a mysterious village, an ancient curse, supernatural suspense and a recognisable supporting cast.
The problem is that early reviews suggest the film does not always convert those ingredients into sustained theatrical excitement.
Mahendragiri Varahi Box Office Verdict So Far
After two days, the verdict is far from decided, but the opening phase can best be described as slow and cautious rather than explosive.
Two-Day India Gross: ₹1.42 crore
Two-Day India Net: ₹1.24 crore
Telugu Net: ₹1.23 crore
Hindi Net: ₹0.01 crore
Overseas: ₹0 crore reported
Release Date: September 11, 2026
The film’s biggest positive is the Day 2 growth.
Its biggest weakness is the absence of a strong contribution from Hindi and overseas markets.
Its biggest hope is the weekend.
And its biggest threat is word-of-mouth.
If Saturday and Sunday deliver a significant jump, Mahendragiri Varahi could still turn its early theatrical story around. If they don’t, the film may remain trapped in the danger zone occupied by many concept-driven releases that generate curiosity but struggle to convert that curiosity into sustained ticket sales.
For now, the Goddess may have her mystery—but the box office still hasn’t revealed its verdict.
Note: For optimal viewing on mobile devices, rotate the screen.
You May Like:
- ultapaltakhabar.com/hanuman-ansh-misses-oscar-deadline-inr-2-crore-film-crosses-inr-205-crore-as-makers-reveal-why-indias-official-entry-dream-was-lost/
- ultapaltakhabar.com/tamil-cinema-faces-september-shutdown-no-new-tamil-film-releases-from-september-1-as-producers-clash-with-theatre-owners-over-8-week-ott-rule/
- https://ultapaltakhabar.com/cinemark-backs-111-billion-paramount-warner-bros-merger-as-all-major-u-s-theater-chains-line-up-behind-david-ellison/
- ultapaltakhabar.com/oscars-2027-budget-youtube-move-and-ai-debate-academy-reveals-its-big-plans-for-hollywoods-future/
Note: Box office figures are estimates from various sources and have not been independently verified by Ulta Palta Khabar.
By
