The supernatural thriller "Jatadhara," starring Sonakshi Sinha and Sudheer Babu, has maintained a steady performance at the box office on its second day. The film, directed by Abhishek Jaiswal and Venkat Kalyan, earned an estimated ₹0.89 crore on Saturday, bringing its total India net collection to ₹1.96 crore across all languages.
The film's performance varied across regions, with a stronger presence in the Telugu belt. On Saturday, "Jatadhara" recorded an overall Telugu occupancy of 14.92%, while the Hindi version struggled to gain traction, peaking at 7.68% occupancy during the night shows.
"Jatadhara" is a story rooted in Indian mythology and folklore, revolving around an ancient curse, black magic, and a supernatural chase triggered by a treasure hunt. The film delves into the legend of Dhanapisachi, a fierce guardian spirit unleashed after nobles sealed treasures with sacred rituals. Sudheer Babu plays Shiva, a ghost hunter who is forced to confront his beliefs when he gets drawn into this ancient curse. Sonakshi Sinha appears as Dhanapisachi.
Despite the intriguing premise, "Jatadhara" has received mixed reviews from critics. Some have praised the film's visual appeal and production design for effectively capturing the mythic tone of the narrative. However, others have criticized the film's narrative cohesion, editing, and VFX quality.
Reviewers at The Times of India noted that the cinematography and production design create an atmospheric backdrop. However, other reviews have pointed out flaws. M9.news noted that the music is terrible, the camerawork is unappealing and outdated, and the editing is atrocious. They also noted that the visuals and graphics associated with Sonakshi Sinha's character are of television serial level. Hindustan Times called the film an ambitious blend of myth and modern horror that works in flashes, but is ultimately muddled chaos.
Sudheer Babu's performance has been noted as a highlight, with critics acknowledging his sincerity and commitment to the role. Sonakshi Sinha's portrayal of Dhanapisachi has also been noted to bring gravitas to the film. Other cast members include Shilpa Shirodkar, Indira Krishnan, and Ravi Prakash.
Directed by Venkat Kalyan and Abhishek Jaiswal, "Jatadhara" attempts a blend of mythology and modernity. The film's narrative follows Shiva, a ghost hunter, as he grapples with strange dreams connected to his past, leading him to uncover the mystery of Dhan Pishachini.
The film's budget has been a topic of discussion, with estimates ranging from ₹20 crore to ₹70 crore. This variation is due to the uncertainty of final production values and whether the release is local or pan-Indian.
As "Jatadhara" continues its run in theaters, it remains to be seen how it will perform in the long run.
