Retro struggles for attention in Telugu

After the huge failure of Kanguva, Tamil star Suriya is now coming back with Retro, directed by Karthik Subbaraj. The movie will hit theaters on May 1 and features Pooja Hegde as the female lead. While Retro has created a good buzz in Tamil Nadu, its Telugu version is not performing well in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Advance bookings for Retro’s Telugu version are very low. In Hyderabad and other major cities, most shows still have plenty of available seats, even during peak hours. On platforms like BookMyShow, most theaters are showing “green,” indicating very slow ticket sales. Only a few shows like the 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM screenings at AMB Cinemas and the 11:25 AM show at Prasads are showing signs of “fast filling.”

Big theaters such as PVR Next Galleria Mall, INOX GSM Mall, Prasads, Devi 70MM, BVK Multiplex, and Vijayalakshmi Multiplex are witnessing very little advance booking. Even important showtimes like 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 9:00 PM are struggling with low occupancy.

This weak response has raised concerns about Retro’s chances in Telugu-speaking states. Several reasons are being discussed. Firstly, the Telugu version seems to have less buzz among audiences. Secondly, there is strong competition from HIT 3, which is performing strongly across Hyderabad despite its A rating. Lastly, Karthik Subbaraj’s films usually appeal more to Tamil audiences than to Telugu viewers.

Meanwhile, HIT 3, starring Nani, is seeing good advance bookings and is expected to have a strong opening. In comparison, Retro is looking at a successful start in Tamil Nadu but faces a tough road in the Telugu states.

With just a few days left for release, the team of Retro will need strong word-of-mouth and positive reviews to improve its performance in AP and Telangana.

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