December 18, 2023
Despite the success of ‘Jawaan’ in the Telugu states, the distributors of the highly anticipated film ‘Dunki,’ starring Shah Rukh Khan and Taapsee Pannu, have decided not to release a Telugu version. According to a prominent distributor this choice is a missed opportunity as they could have capitalized on Shah Rukh Khan’s popularity in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana following the success of ‘Jawaan’ and ‘Pathaan’ to generate additional revenue.
Rajshri Pictures, a renowned Bollywood production company is handling the distribution of this high-profile film. The distributor acknowledges Shah Rukh Khan’s increasing popularity among Telugu viewers, citing the success of his previous films. ‘Dunki,’ directed and edited by Rajkumar Hirani this film is a comedy-drama centered around ‘donkey flights,’ an illegal immigration entry technique, and has garnered significant anticipation from audiences. While Taapsee is a familiar face for Telugu viewers, the decision to release only the Hindi version is disheartening for Shah Rukh Khan’s Telugu fan base.
While Hindi films generally perform well in Telangana, where there is a strong affinity for Bollywood productions however the scenario is different in Andhra Pradesh. The distributor notes, “Audiences in Andhra Pradesh prefer watching the Telugu version over the Hindi version, as they may not be well-versed in the Hindi language. Consequently, ‘Dunki’ may fare better in cities like Vijayawada and Vizag, but attracting large crowds in B and C centers in Andhra Pradesh could prove challenging,” he concludes.
