Pokiri Re-Release Halted: Are Puri Jagannadh’s Financial Issues the Reason?

Director Puri Jagannadh is currently facing a significant crisis in his career. His recent films Liger and Double iSmart failed to perform at the box office and their poor results continue to impact him. At present, Puri Jagannadh is working on a new project with actor Vijay Sethupathi.

Due to the failure of Liger and Double iSmart, buyers and exhibitors have reportedly suffered heavy financial losses. Notably, Liger distributor Warangal Srinu is said to have incurred massive losses and exited the distribution business. Similarly, producer Niranjan Reddy, known for HanuMan, reportedly faced significant losses after acquiring Double iSmart at a high price. Puri Jagannadh is said to be responsible for clearing these dues, and the issue has even reached the Film Chamber due to the lack of response so far. Distributors and other stakeholders are still waiting for a resolution.

The impact of these developments is now expected to affect Puri’s upcoming film Slum Dog, starring Vijay Sethupathi. Although the shooting of the film has been completed, non-theatrical and theatrical deals are yet to be finalized. Reports suggest that unless the pending dues are cleared, releasing the film in the Telugu states may become difficult. It is also being speculated that the re-release of Pokiri, starring Mahesh Babu, has been stalled for the same reason. Some exhibitors and distributors are reportedly considering boycotting Puri Jagannadh’s films until the dues are settled. It remains to be seen how the director will overcome these challenges.