Vijay Deverakonda: From ‘Arjun Reddy’ to ‘Kingdom’ — A box Office journey of peaks and pitfalls | Telugu Movie News

Vijay Deverakonda’s box office journey has been a rollercoaster, with his latest film, Kingdom, generating high anticipation after a string of underwhelming releases. His stardom surged with Arjun Reddy and Geetha Govindam, but films like Dear Comrade and Liger faltered. Khushi offered a glimmer of hope, while Family Star disappointed.

Vijay Deverakonda, the enigmatic heartthrob of Telugu cinema, has had one of the most rollercoaster box office journeys in recent Indian cinema history. With his latest release Kingdom hitting theatres and already making a splash with $850K+ in North American premiere sales and Rs 2.38 crore in India till 11 AM, anticipation is sky-high. But this moment hasn’t come easily. Deverakonda’s recent string of underwhelming releases had placed his stardom under scrutiny. Kingdom now arrives not just as another film but as a litmus test for his drawing power and mass connect.Let’s delve into the ups and downs of Vijay Deverakonda’s box office track record, how he got here, and what Kingdom could mean for his future.The Meteoric Rise: Arjun Reddy to Geetha GovindamVijay Deverakonda’s stardom was born not out of formula films, but raw intensity.

Arjun Reddy (2017)

Arjun Reddy was a cultural earthquake. With its bold, unfiltered storytelling and Deverakonda’s explosive performance, the film became a sleeper hit that turned into a cult classic. Made on a small budget, it shocked trade analysts by raking inRs 51 crore, becoming a generational landmark in Telugu cinema.

Geetha Govindam (2018)

While Arjun Reddy gave him a raw edge, Geetha Govindam showcased his charm. This romantic entertainer turned out to be a goldmine, catering to family audiences and youth alike. It cemented Vijay’s status as a pan-Telugu superstar, proving he could also be box office gold in lighter, more conventional roles.With these two films, Deverakonda’s box office graph soared, and his popularity surged across South India.The Slide: From Dear Comrade to World Famous Lover

Dear Comrade (2019)

Despite high expectations and a solid opening, Dear Comrade fizzled out . Though the film found appreciation on streaming later, its theatrical run was underwhelming.

World Famous Lover (2020)

Attempting to recapture the emotional intensity of Arjun Reddy, this film instead alienated audiences with recycled tropes and inconsistent writing. The collections plummeted post the opening day, reflecting disappointment from both fans and critics.These misfires raised concerns about Deverakonda’s script selection and whether the high of Arjun Reddy was sustainable.The Multilingual Misfire: Liger (2022)

Liger (Hindi + South India)

Positioned as Deverakonda’s pan-India breakthrough, Liger was one of the most hyped films of 2022. Produced by Karan Johar and co-starring Ananya Panday, it released in multiple languages. The Day 1 figure was impressive —Rs 15.95 crore, boosted by aggressive marketing and pre-release hype.However, poor word-of-mouth and a confused screenplay led to an immediate collapse. Its lifetime collection barely crossed Rs 41 crore — a steep fall for a film meant to be a star-defining event.Liger not only dented Deverakonda’s image outside Telugu markets but also became a cautionary tale about forced pan-India aspirations.The Cautious Reset: Khushi and Family Star

Khushi (2023)

Starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu and directed by Shiva Nirvana, Khushi was seen as a comeback vehicle. The first day was strong, and there was genuine buzz due to its feel-good tone. Despite mixed reviews the film did better than his past films offering a glimmer of hope.

Family Star (2024)

Attempting a return to middle-class family drama with Mrunal Thakur as co-star, Family Star failed to make an impact. With bland storytelling and unremarkable execution, it failed to bring footfalls beyond the opening weekend. It was a sharp dip from Khushi and reinforced the volatility in Vijay’s career post-Geetha Govindam.Enter Kingdom: The High-Stakes ComebackNow, with Kingdom finally in theatres, Deverakonda stands at a critical juncture. The early signs are very promising:

Directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri and mounted on a larger scale, Kingdom marks a strategic shift, serious storytelling, high production value, and no gimmicky pan-India playbook.The industry is bullish that the film could open in the Rs 20–25 crore range in India, and possibly build solid legs if word-of-mouth sustains.This is a crucial moment — if Kingdom delivers, it could relaunch Deverakonda into the top league again, restoring the faith that once surrounded his early career.