After years of back-and-forth, the Rajinikanth starrer 2.0 finally released earlier today. Predictably, the fans loved it. Even more predictably, new-age film critics began plugging holes in the film. But are we surprised anymore? Rajinikanth films aren’t supposed to be all about great plotlines and logical scripting, right? While that’s still up for debate, the cold hard fact is that is this: there’s a lot riding on 2.0.

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Let’s remember that the filmmakers have shelled out upwards of Rs 450 crore to make this film — and that’s a conservative estimate, not including extra money spent for promotion and publicity. So, the big question remains: will 2.0 make its money back?

"The answer to that question depends on two factors: how well the film runs beyond its opening weekend at the box office, and how well its overseas box office collections are,” said trade analyst and film critic, Sreedhar Pillai, “Given the massive budget, the film will have to make Rs 300 crore at least, to break even. This means it has to account for larger collections in markets like the United States and Malaysia.”

"An estimated Rs 150 crore has been sold off in satellite television, radio and musical rights, which means the film will need collections of Rs 300 crore in the box office, to break even."

The filmmakers are aware of this fact. As of Thursday, 2.0 released on 800 American screens with tickets priced anywhere between a steep $25 and $30. It is as clear as daylight: the film hopes its American audiences will be its big cash cow. “Not just the Americans, but the Chinese as well — whenever the film releases, there, at a later date," adds Pillai.

Speaking of performances though, the one aspect that most followers of cinema agree on is that brand Rajinikanth alone cannot carry the weight of expectation, on its shoulders.

And film critic Baradwaj Rangan feels that’s where the film has disappointed. “I hardly saw Akshay Kumar’s performance, that’s how digitised he was,” he said, “But the film could do well in India. It’s tailor-made for mass appeal, and Indian audiences love 3D.”

In fact, the 3D factor is a safe bet that Shankar and team, made while planning the release of 2.0 Pillai points out how a number of screens in Tamil Nadu have been upgraded to 3D, to prep for the release. But the other big factor is the strength of its content, and that is perhaps where 2.0 could have disappointed again.

Outlandish themes like cellular phones turning antagonists could also let the discerning film audience down. “It wasn’t written well,” Rangan said, “But given the weight of individual performances, chances are the film will still run well.”

If there’s one thing we’ve learnt from Thugs of Hindostan, it’s that even big names may fail to rescue inherently average content. While only time will tell where or not Rajinikanth could shepherd a visual treat with an ordinary plotline through to profitability, you might agree that director Shankar is walking a tightrope by hoping that the superstar manages to pull that feat off.