Right now three stars from the second tier are competing for the top slot position. It was firmly in Nani’s grip by the end of last year, but back to back underperformers have started to raise questions. NOTA’s opening has closed the debate and again opened the top slot.
It all changed with the phenomenal response for Geetha Govindam. The movie set new records for second league heroes. But, many thought it could be a one-off deal. Then Naga Chaitanya scored by on the opening with Shailaja Reddy Alludu. He has another biggie coming in a month that puts him the race.
In between Nani came with a multi-starrer and did not get the kind of opening that was expected of him and that too in a superb combination. Lastly, NOTA arriving with most disadvantages is beating DevaDas and Nani’s previous solo best from earlier in the year by collecting more than 7 Cr worldwide on an opening day. It is raising serious questions on Nani’s position, and that is enough to dislodge him from the top.
Now, the two stars will be battling it out next year with movies Dear Comrade and Jersey. Whoever comes first will be seen as the top. That is if there are no more surprises in between.
