Nagarjuna`s `Bhai` slumps at box-office

Chennai: Akkineni Nagarjuna-starrer Telugu action-drama "Bhai", which released Friday worldwide, minted just Rs.2.88 crore in Andhra Pradesh on its opening day. Trade experts believe that the film, said to be made on a budget of Rs.42 crore, is unlikely to break even.

"The film couldn`t make money in Andhra Pradesh, which is Nagarjuna`s home turf, and I doubt if it can make elsewhere," trade analyst Trinath told IANS. "It collected only Rs.2.88 crore on the first day in the state. Even his last release `Greekuveerudu` had a better opening, but `Bhai` has turned out to be a damp squib," he added. "Bhai", produced by Nagarjuna, had a solo release, and therefore, was expected to have a grand opening. "It`s very unlikely to have a solo release nowadays since a minimum of three films battle it out at the box-office every week. `Bhai` had that advantage to take a good opening, but it couldn`t due to the bad content," he added. Directed by Veerabhadram, also starring Richa Gangopadhyay, Prasanna Venkatesan and Sonu Sood in important roles, "Bhai" is the story of a don, played by Nagarjuna, who is sent to Hyderabad to eliminate an undercover cop.