Megastar Chiranjeevi has once again proved his unrivalled box office might with the sensational opening of Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu.
Released as a Sankranthi festive entertainer and directed by Anil Ravipudi, the film has taken a roaring start across domestic and international markets, even while facing stiff competition from Prabhas’ much-hyped The Raja Saba. Despite the clash and a slightly delayed start to ticket sales, the film has managed to create an extraordinary wave of excitement, translating into impressive advance bookings and packed theatres.
Nizam Region Leads with a Power-Packed Start
One of the biggest highlights of the opening is the stunning performance in the Nizam belt. The film posted a special premieres gross of approximately ₹2.5 crore from around 200 shows screened on the night before release, as per Andhra Box Office. This is a remarkable achievement for a festive entertainer, especially considering the competitive box office environment. The strong Nizam response clearly indicates Chiranjeevi’s enduring appeal among family audiences and mass moviegoers in Telangana.
Trade circles were particularly impressed with how quickly the film built momentum in this region once bookings opened, with several prime-time shows running close to houseful.
Premier Shows Across India Show Huge Demand
The film’s special premiere shows across India on January 11 delivered a blockbuster response. A total of 879 premiere shows were screened nationwide, generating a massive ₹9.19 crore in gross revenue with an outstanding 65.83% occupancy. For premieres, this level of occupancy is considered extremely healthy, reflecting strong fan-driven demand and festive footfalls.
The occupancy figure also indicates that Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu managed to pull audiences not just in the Telugu heartland but also in multiplex-heavy urban markets, where competition from other releases is usually intense.
January 12 Advance Booking Paints a Solid Picture
The opening day advance bookings for January 12 further cemented the film’s strong market position. Across 4,712 shows, the movie collected an impressive ₹14.95 crore in advance sales, registering an occupancy of 34.53%. While the percentage may appear moderate, the sheer volume of shows and the festive period make this a very encouraging figure. With Sankranthi holidays boosting walk-ins, these advances are expected to translate into significantly higher final day-one numbers.
What makes these numbers even more impressive is the context. Ticket sales began later than expected, which usually impacts opening-day potential. However, once bookings went live, the response snowballed rapidly, driven by positive buzz, Chiranjeevi’s fanbase, and the holiday mood.
First Day Worldwide Advance Crosses ₹35.5 Crore
Taking premieres and regular advance bookings together, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu has clocked a staggering ₹35.5 crore in worldwide first-day advance gross. This puts the film in the league of the biggest openers in Chiranjeevi’s career and marks one of the strongest festive openings for a Telugu film in recent times.
The robust advance indicates that the film has generated widespread anticipation, despite clashing with Prabhas’ The Raja Saba, a film that also enjoys massive hype. That Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu could hold its own and even dominate in certain markets speaks volumes about the Megastar’s pulling power.
Overseas and Telugu Markets Show Strong Confidence
Telugu-speaking states have naturally led the charge, but overseas territories have also played a key role in the film’s powerful start. Markets like the United States have reported brisk advance sales, thanks to Chiranjeevi’s loyal fan base and the festive timing, which traditionally boosts family audiences abroad.
The combination of Sankranthi holidays, Anil Ravipudi’s mass-friendly filmmaking style, and Chiranjeevi’s nostalgia-driven appeal has created a perfect storm at the box office. Audiences seem to be embracing the film as a wholesome entertainer ideal for festival viewing.
With such strong advances and premiere numbers, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu is poised for a very big opening weekend. If the film manages to maintain decent word of mouth over the next few days, it could go on to post a highly profitable run at the box office.
Even in the face of competition from The Raja Saba, Chiranjeevi’s latest outing has made a powerful statement – when it comes to festive releases and family entertainers, the Megastar remains one of the safest and strongest bets in Indian cinema.