Contrary to expectations raised by its impressive opening, Nijam is tottering at the box office. Trade experts are already calculating the loss its buyers will incur on their huge investment. 

The film is following on the footsteps of the much-hyped Johnny, where audiences did not identify with superstar Pawan Kalyan running from pillar to post to save his cancer-stricken wife. In Nijam's case, audiences could not identify with its hero, Mahesh Babu's passive character, particularly in the first half of the film. After his hugely successful last release, Okadu, say trade experts, his fans were once again expecting an 'anger-driven' film.

Director Teja seems uncomfortable handling a big star -- his earlier films, starring debutants, have done well at the box office.

"What's surprising is that Nijam is not doing well even in Andhra region -- namely Guntur, Vijayawada -- and in Hyderabad in the Nizam region. These areas are considered the strongholds of Mahesh and his superstar father, Krishna," explains a trade pundit. He says he was not surprised the movie received a poor response in Rayalaseema, since Mahesh never had big following there.