The Telugu supernatural mystery film Shambhala, directed by Ugandhar Muni and featuring Aadi Saikumar in the lead role, made its theatrical debut on Thursday amid a crowded festive release window. Despite facing competition from multiple releases, the film has shown steady box office performance in its initial days.
According to industry tracking portal Sacnilk, Shambhala opened with a collection of ₹1.5 crore on its first day. The film followed this with earnings of over ₹1.05 crore on the second day, taking its total two-day collection to approximately ₹2.55 crore.
Occupancy Trends Indicate Growing Audience Interest
Occupancy figures suggest that audience interest in Shambhala strengthened as the day progressed. The film recorded an overall Telugu occupancy of 38.48 percent on its second day. Morning shows opened at 24.04 percent, while afternoon shows saw a rise to 35.93 percent.
Evening shows registered a further increase at 41.55 percent, with night shows peaking at a strong 52.38 percent. Trade analysts note that such trends often indicate positive word-of-mouth and improved footfall during prime viewing hours.
Social Media Reactions Largely Positive
The film has received largely favourable reactions on social media platforms following its release. Viewers have particularly highlighted the narrative progression, performances, and emotional climax. One user on X described the film’s structure as engaging, noting that the story gains momentum after the introduction of key characters and delivers a strong second half with impactful flashback sequences.
Audience feedback suggests that Shambhala has resonated with viewers who appreciate supernatural themes blended with emotional storytelling.
Storyline Rooted in Mystery and Superstition
Shambhala is set in a rural backdrop where a meteor fall disrupts the peace of a small village, triggering fear and superstition among residents. As villagers begin exhibiting strange behaviour, many attribute the disturbances to supernatural forces, ghosts, and black magic.
The narrative centres on Vikram, a rationalist who does not believe in superstition and relies on science. He arrives in the village to study the meteor and uncover the truth behind the mysterious occurrences, setting the stage for a conflict between belief and logic.
Ensemble Cast Supports the Narrative
Alongside Aadi Saikumar, the film features an ensemble cast including Archana Iyerr, Madhunandan, Praveen, Annapoornamma, Swasika Vijay, Harsha Vardhan, Ravi Varma, Rangadham, Ayesha Mariam, Shivakarthik Danda, and others. Supporting performances, particularly in the flashback portions, have been noted by viewers as contributing to the film’s emotional depth.
Director Ugandhar Muni’s approach focuses on atmosphere and narrative build-up rather than spectacle, aligning with the film’s mystery-driven tone.
Outlook for the Coming Days
With positive audience feedback and improving occupancy rates, Shambhala is expected to sustain its theatrical run in the coming days. Trade observers will be watching its weekday performance closely to assess long-term prospects amid strong competition.
The film’s early performance reinforces the continued viability of content-led genre cinema in the Telugu market, particularly when supported by word-of-mouth.