It has now been 13 years since Pawan Kalyan delivered a complete box office success, and the wait continues. His latest film, Ustaad Bhagat Singh, is heading towards a big failure at the box office, extending what has become the longest dry spell of his career.
Attarintiki Daredi – The Last Complete Success
The last film that satisfied Pawan Kalyan in all aspects was Attarintiki Daredi. The film emerged as an industry hit, delivered huge profits for buyers, and was well received by fans as well as family audiences. It ticked every box and set a benchmark that none of his subsequent releases have managed to match.
The Struggle Since 2013
After that milestone, none of his films have managed to achieve that level of success. Films like Gopala Gopala, Vakeel Saab, and Bheemla Nayak ended up as average ventures at the box office, unable to replicate the magic of his earlier hits.
Even his recent film, OG, which opened with massive numbers due to strong pre-release hype, failed to satisfy audiences unanimously. Due to its high pre-release business, the film could not achieve breakeven and eventually ended as an average venture despite the promising start.
Ustaad Bhagat Singh Disappoints
The latest release, Ustaad Bhagat Singh, was expected to provide a solid comeback. The film was released during the Ugadi festive period, traditionally considered an auspicious time for big releases. However, it failed to deliver at the box office.
With only around 40% recovery over the opening weekend, it is now heading towards a disastrous result, similar to films like Agnyathavaasi and Hari Hara Veera Mallu.
What’s Next for the Power Star?
With this, Pawan Kalyan has now completed 13 years without a clear box office success, which is a surprising phase for a star of his stature. The prolonged drought has raised questions about script selection and market appeal.
As of now, his next project has not been officially announced. Director Surender Reddy is said to be the frontrunner, but the big question remains: which director will deliver a complete comeback film like Attarintiki Daredi for Pawan Kalyan?