Harish Shankar and Pawan Kalyan’s Ustaad Bhagat Singh was released in theaters on March 19, 2026, and received mixed reviews and weak word-of-mouth. The film could not do much at the box office and is heading towards a failure, struggling to cross the ₹100 Cr mark. But still, director Harish Shankar thinks that he made a good film and says that Ustaad Bhagat Singh is bigger than Gabbar Singh.
What Did Harish Shankar Say About UBS?
A fan asked Harish Shankar which of his films is his favorite between Gabbar Singh and Ustaad Bhagat Singh, and he said, “My favourite film is Ustaad Bhagat Singh, because I can see a more mature writer in Ustaad Bhagat Singh, and I’m proud to have made this film,” in a public interview.
Netizens are shocked as the director is still projecting Ustaad Bhagat Singh as a superb film. Rating it greater than the blockbuster Gabbar Singh is unbelievable, as even fans and audiences rejected UBS at the box office.
Box Office Reality vs Director’s Pride
A film that is struggling to reach the ₹100 Cr Gross in its closing run and ending behind a disaster like Hari Hara Veera Mallu cannot be considered a content-driven success. However, director Harish Shankar is refusing to accept this reality.
The director’s confidence in the film remains unwavering despite the commercial outcome. His statement about Ustaad Bhagat Singh being more mature content has divided opinions in the industry and among fans.