Prabhas' 'Adipurush' to Sai Dharam Tej's 'Virupaksha': Top 5 highest first day grossing Telugu films of 2023 so far

The Telugu film industry has always been a hub of creativity and innovation, churning out a diverse range of films every year. The year 2023 was no exception, with numerous movies hitting the theatres and leaving a lasting impact on the audience. Interestingly, some films that were produced with massive budgets failed to impress, while others made on a shoestring budget turned out to be blockbusters. On that note, let’s explores the first day grossing movies released in 2023 and highlights their performances at the box office.

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'Adipurush,' a mythological action film based on the Hindu epic Ramayana, took the lead as the highest first day grosser of 2023. Directed and co-written by Om Raut, the film featured stars like Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan, Kriti Sanon, Sunny Singh, and Devdutta Nage. On its release day, the movie earned a share of Rs 140 at the global box office. Despite the buzz and anticipation, Adipurush faced criticism from critics for its screenplay, dialogues, and visuals, leading to negative reviews. Despite the initial hype, the film eventually emerged as a box office failure.

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'Veera Simha Reddy,' an action drama film starring Nandamuri Balakrishna in a dual role, secured the second position in the list of first day grossers. Directed by Gopichand Malineni, the film also featured Honey Rose, Shruti Haasan, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, and Duniya Vijay in supporting roles. The movie collected an impressive Rs 54 crores on its opening day and received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. The film's success at the box office, with a worldwide gross of Rs 133 crore, showcased the audience's appreciation for Balakrishna's performance and the film's engaging storyline.

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'Dasara,' a period action drama film directed by debutant Srikanth Odela, featured an ensemble cast, including Nani and Keerthy Suresh in the lead roles. Set in the backdrop of the Singareni coal mines near Godavarikhani, Telangana, the movie earned Rs 38 crores on its first day. The film's depiction of historical events and engaging narrative received positive reviews from critics, leading to its success at the box office. Nani and Keerthy Suresh's stellar performances further enhanced the movie's appeal among the audience.

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Chiranjeevi's 'Waltair Veerayya' garnered significant attention on its first day, collecting a share of Rs 29 crore. Directed by Bobby Kolli, the film also starred Ravi Teja, Shruti Haasan, and Catherine Tresa in pivotal roles. The action-packed entertainer received positive reviews from critics and turned out to be a commercial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of 2023. The captivating storyline, coupled with Chiranjeevi's charismatic presence, contributed to the film's box office triumph.

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Sai Dharam Tej's 'Virupaksha,' a horror thriller film co-written and directed by Karthik Varma Dandu, made a solid start by collecting a share of Rs 7.4 crore on its first day. Alongside Sai Dharam Tej, the film featured Samyuktha Menon, Sunil, Rajeev Kanakala, Brahmaji, Ajay, and Ravi Krishna. With generally positive reviews from critics, the film emerged as a commercial success at the box office, showcasing the audience's ongoing love for the horror genre.

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