Varun Tej’s latest release, Matka, failed to make any significant impact at the box office, with the lack of pre-release buzz severely affecting its business potential. The film’s inability to attract distributor interest led the producers to adopt a self-release strategy, relying on an advance basis. This decision placed immense pressure on the film to perform well theatrically, but Matka struggled to meet expectations.
With a breakeven target of ₹20 crore, the film’s prospects were already shaky, and poor word of mouth (WOM) worsened the situation. The film’s disappointing reviews and lackluster audience turnout resulted in a paltry ₹1 crore share over its opening weekend, which ultimately became its total earnings.
This marks a significant financial loss for the producers, casting a shadow over Varun Tej’s career as well. After a series of underperforming films, his appeal in the theatrical market seems to be dwindling. Additionally, OTT platforms, which are becoming more selective about acquiring films, appear to have little interest in projects that don’t perform well theatrically, further jeopardizing his status as a bankable star.
Industry experts warn that unless Varun Tej can turn things around with a well-received project, future collaborations with producers could become increasingly risky. To regain both audience trust and industry confidence, Varun Tej will need to deliver a strong comeback, restoring his reputation and marketability for future roles.
