South Indian movies are ruling theatres this festive season. Once again, this Diwali has proved that a film with a strong story and good word-of-mouth can bring people to cinemas and it’s not just about big promotions or hype. This week’s clash between the Tamil rom-com Dude and the Telugu romantic drama Telusu Kada has drawn attention, not just because both films released on the same day, October 17, but because the early collections clearly show a one-sided victory.
Dude leads the Diwali clash with strong momentum
Dude, starring and written by Pradeep Ranganathan and directed by debutant Keerthiswaran, has managed to carry forward its opening day buzz into Day 2, something even most festival releases struggle to do without solid word-of-mouth. The film opened with Rs 9.75 crore (India net) on Day 1 and saw a slight rise on Day 2 with Rs 10 crore, taking its two-day domestic total to Rs 19.75 crore.
Tamil screenings are leading the charge, with a 55.43 per cent occupancy on the second day according to early trade tracking portals. Telugu shows, though fewer, have also contributed to the total collection.
Produced by Mythri Movie Makers and reportedly made on a budget of Rs 25–30 crore, Dude seems on track to recover its cost quickly if the Sunday surge continues.
Telusu Kada opens soft despite star cast and sensitive theme
In contrast, Telusu Kada has opened to lukewarm numbers despite its star cast and an emotionally loaded story. The film, written and directed by Neeraja Kona, features Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Raashii Khanna and Srinidhi Shetty and revolves around a young couple dealing with a surrogacy-related emotional challenge after marriage.
The movie earned Rs 2.1 crore (India net) on Day 1 and dipped slightly to Rs 2 crore on Day 2, taking its total to Rs 4.1 crore in two days. Telugu occupancy did rise marginally from 27.92 per cent on Friday to 28.15 per cent on Saturday, but that minor boost in ticket sales did not reflect in its revenue.
For a star-backed urban romantic drama, the opening is considered disappointing by trade watchers. Initial viewer reactions suggest that while the film has a bold subject, it did not deliver the emotional depth that such themes demand, making it harder for audiences to connect.
First Sunday will decide the direction of both films
With both films heading into their first crucial Sunday, the weekend verdict is now in the hands of walk-in audiences. Dude is expected to see a stronger jump given its upward trend and festive buzz, while Telusu Kada will rely heavily on late-arriving word-of-mouth to avoid a sharp Monday drop. As of now, the Diwali face-off has a clear winner.