'Thalaivii', which hit the screens in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi on September 10, has turned out a cropper at the box office. The Jayalalithaa biopic couldn't turn the corner after a slow start, mainly owing to the pandemic and specific circumstances.

Due to the pandemic-induced slowdown, the AL Vijay directorial was a non-starter in Hindi. There is another reason why the film couldn't move the needle in Hindi. Three national multiplexes didn't screen it because as a mark of protest against its OTT deals.

In Telugu, 'Thalaivii' was expected not to do well anyhow. Not only is Kangana not a superstar here, but the subject itself is not appealing, owing to the fact that Jaya is not our leader. Moreover, the specific context of 'Thalaivii' competing with 'Seetimaarr' also did the film in. Even 'Tuck Jagadish' on OTT can be deemed its competitor.

In Tamil, the film's not-so-overwhelming response is again due to the pandemic mostly.

On his part, Vibri Motion Pictures' Vishnu Vardhan Induri has said that he has recovered his investment in the movie from different sources (eg. OTT deals, theatricals, satellite rights in the main) and that way, he is happy.