Anushka Shetty’s latest film Ghaati, directed by Krish, has turned out to be a box office failure despite high expectations. Released on September 5, the film failed to connect with audiences and received poor collections.
Known for delivering powerful female-centric hits like Arundhati, Rudhramadevi and Bhaagamathie, Anushka has built a strong reputation for carrying films on her shoulders. However, Ghaati could not live up to that track record. Although the story had a meaningful intention, many viewers felt the emotional depth was missing, which made the film less engaging.
After the disappointing result, fingers are being pointed at both Anushka and director Krish. Industry talk suggests that the script did not match Anushka’s calibre, while others argue that Krish did not use her talent properly.
Another major factor was the lack of film promotions. In today’s cinema, even star-driven projects require massive marketing to reach audiences. With Ghati, promotions were minimal. Krish gave a few interviews and held a special press meet with Jagapathi Babu, but Anushka did not appear in any promotional events or interviews.
Trade experts say that effective publicity can create strong buzz even before a film’s release. Without it, audiences often decide to wait for the OTT release instead of visiting theatres. Many believe that if Anushka had taken part in promotions, the collections might have been better.
Reports suggest Krish trusted Anushka Shetty’s screen presence to carry the Ghaati without extra campaigns, but the outcome proved otherwise. Industry insiders feel Anushka is unlikely to make the same mistake again, especially as many stars now start promotions right from the film’s launch.
The failure of Ghati is a reminder that star power alone is no longer enough. For Anushka, future success may depend on balancing strong roles with strong promotions.
