Varun Tej’s recent release Matka failed to generate any significant pre-release buzz, severely impacting its overall business potential. The lack of interest from distributors forced the producers to opt for an advance basis self-release strategy, putting immense pressure on the film to perform theatrically.
With a breakeven target of ₹20 crore, the film’s prospects looked bleak from the start, and the underwhelming word of mouth (WOM) further exacerbated the situation. Poor reviews and negligible audience turnout resulted in a dismal ₹1 crore share over its opening weekend, which now stands as the film’s closing figure.
The result marks Matka as a heavy loss-making venture for the producers, significantly denting their financial prospects.
This failure also casts a shadow over Varun Tej’s career. Following a string of disappointing outings, his theatrical market appears to be shrinking. Furthermore, with OTT platforms also showing reduced interest in acquiring films with weak performances, his viability as a bankable star is now in question.
Industry insiders suggest that producers might view future collaborations with Varun Tej as a risky proposition unless he manages to secure a compelling combination of director and script for his next project.
To regain audience trust and industry confidence, he must deliver a strong comeback film that can revive his declining market potential.