Sankranthi 2026 witnessed two major film releases: Prabhas and Maruthi’s The Raja Saab, a horror fantasy comedy, and Chiranjeevi and Anil Ravipudi’s family entertainer Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu. The box office results of these two films have sent a clear message to filmmakers about what it takes to make a successful movie.
This Sankranthi clearly indicates the success formula for the Telugu film industry
These Sankranthi outcomes show that filmmakers should stay true to their strengths and deliver stories with clarity and confidence. Trying to follow trends or getting influenced by other films can often lead to confusion. It is important to avoid experimenting with genres or subjects that one is not fully comfortable with or prepared to handle.
Anil Ravipudi Sticks to His Strengths – Maruthi Tries Too Hard
Anil Ravipudi stuck to what he does best and delivered a clean, family-friendly entertainer with Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, which worked well with audiences. On the other hand, director Maruthi seems to have been influenced by the scale and style of Prabhas’s recent films. The Raja Saab moved away from a simple horror-comedy and turned into a big-budget horror fantasy, which created confusion in the storytelling.
Unlike Mana Shankara Prasad Garu, the constant changes in the script and tone of The Raja Saab have ultimately resulted in the film failing to connect with the audience.