Sigma Box Office Opening
Actor Sundeep Kishan alleges a targeted online campaign against his new film Sigma.
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Key Points
1
Sigma drew 221,679 footfalls across 1,813 shows on opening day, with reported overall occupancy of 31.1%.
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The Tamil release earned Rs 1.50 crore net from 925 shows, with 50.10% occupancy, while the Telugu version earned Rs 85 lakh net from 888 shows and had 25.94% occupancy.
3
The project had faced delays before its October 2 theatrical release; reports said overseas collection figures were not yet available.
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Vijay’s wife and daughter watched the film in theatres as Jason Sanjay began his directing career, and actor Jyotika had publicly wished him and the team well before release.
Actor Sundeep Kishan alleged on October 1 that a coordinated paid smear campaign was targeting him and his film *Sigma* hours before its theatrical release, warning the campaign's operators that they have "more to lose than me." NDTV reported the film, directed by Jason Sanjay (son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay), opened to a modest ₹2.35 crore net collection across 1,813 shows on Gandhi Jayanti, though the allegations behind the campaign were not independently substantiated by media outlets.
The Tamil-Telugu heist comedy starring Sundeep Kishan and Faria Abdullah drew 221,679 footfalls with mixed audience reactions, with Times of India praising Kishan's action work but noting weak screenplay and character development. The Tamil version earned ₹1.50 crore net from 925 shows with 50.10% occupancy, while the Telugu version earned ₹85 lakh net from 888 shows with 25.94% occupancy.
The Campaign Allegation Hours Before Release
On X (formerly Twitter), Kishan posted a stark warning: "I see a lot of targeted anti tweets coming at me & my film over the last few days. I know exactly the people behind this & paying for this as well." He told alleged operators to be careful, adding that "if it becomes direct, everyone will get caught." Sunrise Radio noted the timing of the post—just hours before the October 2 premiere—sparked intense speculation across social media about the identity and motives of those behind any campaign.
Kishan's allegations gained vocal support from actress Jyotika, who commented on social media that "truth always comes out." However, no independent media investigation has verified the existence of an organized paid smear effort, and neither the film's production company nor industry bodies have formally addressed the claims.
A Director's Tight Timeline and Actor Support
Jason Sanjay, making his directorial debut, completed *Sigma* in just 63 days—seven days ahead of his 70-day schedule. Kishan told media that Sanjay "was given 70 days time to make the film and he completed it in 63 days. Jason Sanjay never took advantage at any point." The comment suggested production ran smoothly without budget overruns or actor conflicts, a notable achievement for a debut film with major action sequences.
Industry figures rallied behind the director. Actor Suriya congratulated Sanjay, saying "Can't believe little Jason Sanjay is a director now." Vijay's wife and daughter attended theatrical screenings on opening day, publicly backing the project as the son of Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister launched his filmmaking career.
Opening Day Numbers Show Tamil Lead, Telugu Lag
*Sigma* collected ₹2.35 crore net from 221,679 footfalls on its first day, with an overall occupancy rate of 31.1% across 1,813 shows. Times of India reported the Tamil version significantly outpaced the Telugu release, earning ₹1.50 crore net from 925 shows with 50.10% occupancy. The Telugu version earned only ₹85 lakh net from 888 shows, capturing just 25.94% occupancy.
The opening underperformed Kishan's solo-lead record set by the film *Michael*, which opened to ₹2.65 crore net. Cinema Speak noted that despite support from high-profile figures like actor Megastar Chiranjeevi, Kishan's box-office draw in Telugu states appeared weaker than anticipated, raising questions about the actor's current commercial appeal in Tollywood.
Mixed Reviews Cloud Word-of-Mouth Prospects
Critics praised Kishan's action performance and Sanjay's technical direction, particularly in staging complex sequences like a multi-level parking stunt. However, Times of India and other outlets criticized weak screenplay development and shallow character arcs. The film's box-office momentum now depends heavily on word-of-mouth during the extended holiday weekend.
The film dropped 36.2% on its second day to ₹1.50 crore net, according to NDTV, suggesting initial audience interest did not translate into strong repeat viewing or enthusiast word-of-mouth. Overseas collection figures remained unavailable as the film entered its critical first weekend.
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