The Telugu box office is bracing itself for a high-voltage clash as two anticipated films, like The Raja Saab and Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu, are set to lock horns this Sankranthi.
Raja Saab and Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu have been made on whopping budgets, and theatrical rights have been sold for record prices. Both films come with strong pre-release buzz, but their box-office journeys are expected to follow very different trajectories based on genre, target audience, and word-of-mouth dynamics.
Raja Saab enters the race as the more commercially aggressive contender. The movie boasts of a top-tier star, grand production values, and a marketing campaign. Advance booking trends are expected to be strong in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with single screens and mass belts likely to register near-full occupancy on opening day.
Considering the hype, Raja Saab will enjoy an explosive opening, driven largely by fan shows, first-day-first-show culture, and aggressive pricing in multiplexes. Its opening-day gross is expected to be among the highest of the year.
However, sustaining momentum beyond the opening weekend will depend heavily on content reception. If the film delivers on entertainment, humour, and repeat-value elements, it could maintain strong weekday collections and aim for a long theatrical run. On the flip side, mixed reviews could lead to a sharp drop after the initial fan-driven surge—a pattern seen with several recent big-budget entertainers.
In contrast, Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu is expected to take a slower but steadier route at the box office. While its opening numbers may not match the scale of Raja Saab, the film has strong potential to grow through positive word of mouth.
Morning and afternoon shows may start modestly, and favorable reviews are expected to improve their occupancy over the weekend. Films of this nature often see their best business from day three onwards.
Raja Saab is expected to dominate collections in mass regions like Rayalaseema and Andhra. Hyderabad, Vizag, and other urban centers may see a more balanced split, with Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu gaining ground through positive reviews and family turnout. Overseas markets could also play a crucial role.
Raja Saab has a high budget and hefty pre-release business. It will need to sustain momentum beyond its opening weekend to emerge as a clear commercial success. Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu has been made on a controlled budget and has a more achievable break-even target. Strong word-of-mouth could help it post healthy profits.
In the short term, Raja Saab is expected to win the opening battle with superior first-day and first-weekend numbers. However, Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu could pose a serious challenge in the long run. Whether spectacle or substance takes the crown, the real winner will be the audience—spoiled for choice in one of the most exciting box-office duels of the year.
