Both films were super hits in theaters, but their television performance was vastly different.
While Prabhas’ Kalki 2898 AD flopped on TV, Dulquer Salmaan’s Lucky Baskhar became a massive success.
When Lucky Baskhar premiered on television, it achieved an impressive 8.48 TRP.
Meanwhile, Kalki, despite being a top trend on OTT, managed only a 5.26 rating on TV. This highlights how small-screen audiences prefer family-oriented films over big-budget action movies.
In theaters, Kalki was a much bigger success than Lucky Baskhar, but its TV reception tells a different story.
Over the years, satellite TV viewership has declined, even in rural areas, due to the growing popularity of YouTube and OTT platforms. Those who still watch satellite channels lean towards soft, family-friendly films.
As a result, channels have reduced their purchase of movie satellite rights. Only high-demand films are acquired, while minor films are largely ignored.
Even big-budget films like Kalki, bought for crores, struggle to break even unless aired multiple times, making them a financial burden on TV networks.
