Vijay Deverakonda’s latest outing, “Family Star,” stumbled at the box office on its opening day, marking one of his weakest starts in recent memory. The much-anticipated Telugu romantic drama, featuring Mrunal Thakur alongside Vijay, managed to rake in only Rs 5.75 crore nationwide, as reported by industry tracker Sacnilk. Despite releasing in a Tamil dubbed version as well, the film received lukewarm reviews, contributing to its lackluster performance on its debut.
With an occupancy rate struggling to reach even 50 percent throughout the day, “Family Star” recorded Vijay’s lowest opening in recent years. This stark contrasted with his previous releases, such as “Kushi,” “Liger,” “Dear Comrade,” and “World Famous Lover,” all of which debuted to double-digit figures. Originally slated for a Sankranthi release, the film was rescheduled to avoid competition, hoping to bolster its chances of success over the next few days.
For Mrunal Thakur, “Family Star” marked her first collaboration with Vijay Deverakonda, following her success in Telugu cinema with hits like “Hi Nanna” and “Sita Ramam.” However, critics panned the film for its dated storyline and lackluster execution. Raghu Bandi, in his review for the Indian Express, criticized the film’s formulaic approach, noting a dearth of innovation and entertainment value.
Despite being produced by Dil Raju and billed as a blockbuster, “Family Star” failed to resonate with audiences, opting for style over substance. Director Petla’s focus on aesthetics over storytelling left the film feeling uninspired and bland, missing the mark with viewers.