Prerna Arora and Zee Studios' 'JATADHARA’ emerges a profitable success despite heavy competition
Telugu cinema has witnessed another quiet triumph with 'Jatadhara', a film that has managed to make a meaningful impact at the box-office. Made at a modest budget, the film earned an impressive ₹4.62 crore (gross). It's a solid achievement for a movie which got A Certificate from the Censor board.
The performance becomes even more noteworthy when seen in context. 'Jatadhara' opened alongside 'The Girlfriend', headlined by Rashmika Mandanna and supported by a larger budget and promotional campaign.
The film also faced an additional hurdle: an ‘A’ certificate, which limited family footfall and restricted broader publicity. Yet, it continue to draw sustained audiences purely on the strength of its narrative power, performances, and emotional resonance.
Interestingly, the Hindi version of the film has exceeded expectations as well, reportedly earning almost four times more than 'The Girlfriend' in the Hindi language, according to data shared by trade portal Sacnilk. This cross-regional acceptance underlines the film’s ability to connect beyond linguistic boundaries.
What truly distinguishes 'Jatadhara' in today’s market is the authenticity of its collections. There have been no corporate bookings, no sponsored shows, and no inflated numbers. At a time when theatrical figures often appear orchestrated, this film is driven entirely by genuine audience traction.
The project also marks a key milestone for producer Prerna Arora, who entered Telugu cinema with this film. Known for bankrolling cult films like 'Toilet Ek Prem Katha', 'Padman' and 'Rustom', Prerna took a calculated creative risk — including introducing Sonakshi Sinha in her Telugu debut. The choice has worked well: Sonakshi’s presence brought recognizable star value while the film remained rooted in strong content rather than spectacle.
With a modest budget, consistent word-of-mouth, and rising audience curiosity across regions, 'Jatadhara' has already emerged as a profitable venture and is expected to continue its winning run.
