Siddhu Jonnalagadda, celebrated for his blockbuster Tillu franchise, has hit a rough patch with his latest release, Jack, which has been declared a major disappointment at the box office. The spy action-comedy, directed by Bommarillu Bhaskar, failed to resonate with audiences, marking the actor’s biggest career setback to date.
Released on April 10, “Jack” opened to high expectations, fueled by Siddhu’s growing popularity and the promise of a thrilling blend of espionage and humor. However, the film received lukewarm reviews, with critics and fans slamming its weak screenplay, inconsistent tone, and lackluster execution.
Box office figures tell a grim story. “Jack” earned a modest Rs 3 to 4 crore share in the entire weekend. The film collected mere Rs 1 crore share in Telangana, with Nizam distributor set to lose more than Rs 7 crore.
The film was sold for over Rs 24 crore, is unlikely to recover even 30 percent of its investment theatrically, spelling significant losses for distributors.
“Jack” collected $200k in its four-day weekend in North America, becoming biggest date. Siddhu’s previous film “Tillu Sqaure” grossed more than $2 million. So, a distributor bought the film for whopping Rs 10 Cr for North American rights. The distributor will be losing more than Rs 8 crore of investment.
The flop has raised concerns about Siddhu’s box office pull outside the Tillu universe. Trade analysts note that Jack marks his lowest opening post-COVID, a stark contrast to Tillu Square’s Rs 60 crore-plus haul.
Despite the setback, all is not lost for the 32-year-old actor. Jack’s OTT rights, secured by Netflix for a hefty sum, may offer some financial cushion, with an early streaming release expected by month’s end. Siddhu is also gearing up for his next project, a romantic comedy titled Telusu Kada, directed by Neeraja Kona, which could be a chance to regain his footing.