‘Bhairavam’ Faces Lukewarm Response, Hints at Possible Disappointment

Despite high expectations and strong pre-release buzz, the latest pan-Indian film Bhairavam appears to be struggling to meet both critical and audience expectations. Early reviews and initial box office trends suggest the film may not live up to its ambitious positioning, hinting at a possible underwhelming performance in the days ahead.

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Hype vs Reality

Bhairavam arrived in theatres with significant hype, thanks to a star-studded cast, a big-budget production, and aggressive promotions. Advance bookings, especially in Tier 1 cities, were decent, and multiplexes reported respectable opening-day occupancy.

However, by the end of the first weekend, the film’s performance showed clear signs of slowing down, especially in Tier 2 cities like Nagpur, Kochi, and Lucknow, where footfalls were lower than anticipated.

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Mixed Reviews and Word of Mouth

Critics have offered mixed reactions to the film. While the action sequences and background score were appreciated, the storyline, pacing, and character development received criticism. Viewers in smaller towns—who are usually drawn to emotional depth and family-oriented narratives—seem to have found the plot unconvincing and overly stylised.

Social media discussions also reflect a dip in excitement post-release, with many early viewers calling the film “visually grand but emotionally flat.”

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Regional Markets Show Uneven Trends

The film’s performance has varied across regions. While Tamil Nadu and parts of Karnataka have shown decent occupancy rates, northern and central Indian cities have reported a sharp decline in ticket sales after the opening day. Local exhibitors in Tier 2 and Tier 3 centres have already reduced the number of shows, reallocating screens to better-performing releases.

In cities like Bhopal and Bhubaneswar, where single screens still hold sway, the turnout has been disappointing, with morning shows running nearly empty.

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What Went Wrong?

Industry insiders believe the mismatch between the film’s tone and audience expectations played a major role in the weak response. While Bhairavam promised a mass entertainer, the execution leaned too heavily on style and spectacle without anchoring it in strong storytelling.

Additionally, the lack of emotional connect with middle-class and semi-urban audiences, who make up a significant portion of the box office share in India, has hurt its overall reach.

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Conclusion: An Uphill Battle Ahead

Though it’s still early to write off Bhairavam completely, the initial indicators point toward a challenging run at the box office. Unless there is a significant turnaround through strong word of mouth or overseas collections, the film may fall short of the expectations set before its release.

For now, it stands as another reminder that even the biggest budgets and biggest stars need strong narratives to truly connect with Indian audiences—especially beyond the metros.