Actor Darshan’s Kannada film The Devil hit theatres on December 11 and opened on a slow but steady note at the box office. According to early data from trade websites, the film earned Rs 10 crore India net on Day 1, marking a solid start for the action drama.
The Devil also recorded an impressive overall Kannada occupancy of 63.75% on its opening day. Morning shows began strong with 60.44% occupancy.
The movie picked up speed again by the evening with 63.47%, despite a decline to 51.74% in the afternoon. As the day went on, audience interest increased, as evidenced by the night shows' impressive 79.34% performance.
Data broken down by city further demonstrates the movie's popularity in a number of areas. With an astounding 88.75% occupancy, Mysuru emerged as the top performer, delivering consistently packed shows throughout the day and reaching a peak of 95% during the night shows.
On the other hand, turnout was significantly lower in places like Mangaluru and Manipal. Overall, it was evident that Mysuru was the city most enthusiastic about the movie.
While The Devil has secured a big opening, audience reactions have been mixed. One viewer described the first half as a “routine political drama” and felt the film struggled to create emotional depth.
Also read: The Devil movie review: Darshan Thoogudeepa fails to impress, a missed chance that doesn't work
They also pointed out rushed editing and costume concerns, mentioning that “Krishna did not have a suitable wig,” and added that some comedic portions felt forced.
Directed by Prem, The Devil features a strong ensemble cast including Darshan, Rachana Rai, Mahesh Manjrekar, Achyuth Kumar, Sharmiela Mandre, and several others in pivotal roles.
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