The Telugu film Paradha, starring Anupama Parameswaran, opened with decent buzz owing to its impactful trailer and aggressive promotions. However, despite the initial hype, the film has failed to live up to expectations at the box office. Released on August 22, 2025, the social drama has struggled to find an audience, ending its opening weekend on a disappointing note.

Box Office Numbers Paint a Grim Picture

The makers of Paradha seemed confident, even screening special shows two days ahead of release to generate positive word of mouth. Unfortunately, the strategy backfired. The film collected only ₹26 lakhs in its first two days and added a modest ₹13 lakhs on day three. This brings the film’s total three-day collection to just ₹40 lakhs, an alarmingly low figure for a project that was marketed so heavily.

By Sunday evening, several theaters had already reduced the number of shows due to poor occupancy, and industry reports suggest that many more screens are likely to pull the film out altogether. For a film that aimed to stir discussions around women’s identity and empowerment, the financial outcome has been quite disheartening.

Why Did Paradha Fail to Impress?

One of the key reasons behind Paradha’s underwhelming box office numbers is its weak word of mouth. While Anupama Parameswaran herself described this as one of her best performances to date, audiences found the film’s storytelling outdated and uninspiring.

Praveen Kandregula, who had earlier delivered the well-received Subham, directed Paradha with noble intentions. However, critics pointed out that the screenplay lacked freshness and relatability, making it hard for viewers to emotionally connect with the narrative. Despite being packaged as a socially relevant drama, the film came across as predictable, and audiences quickly lost interest.

Performances Appreciated but Lost in Weak Writing

Interestingly, the cast performances received some acknowledgment. Anupama Parameswaran delivered a strong and heartfelt portrayal, reaffirming her growth as an actress. Malayalam actress Darshana Rajendran, making her Telugu debut, also impressed critics with her mature screen presence. Her role, though appreciated, went largely unnoticed due to the film’s poor reception. Veteran actress Sangeetha played a significant supporting role, adding credibility to the ensemble, but the weak writing overshadowed the cast’s efforts.

OTT Release on Amazon Prime Video

Amid the disappointing theatrical run, Paradha still has a silver lining. Amazon Prime Video has bagged the film’s digital rights for a handsome price, giving it a chance to reach a wider audience. With its theatrical performance fizzling out, reports suggest that the OTT premiere may happen sooner than expected. This could provide Paradha a second lease of life, particularly for viewers who prefer intimate, socially driven dramas on streaming platforms rather than theaters.

A Missed Opportunity

Paradha had all the right promotional push and a talented cast that delivered their parts sincerely. However, the outdated storytelling and lack of engaging drama made it difficult to sustain audience interest, leading to a quick theatrical exit. While Anupama Parameswaran and Darshana Rajendran may take solace in the critical appreciation of their performances, the film’s poor box office numbers remain a major setback.

As it heads to Prime Video, Paradha might find a more forgiving audience online, but on the big screen, the film will likely be remembered as a missed opportunity despite high hopes.

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