Pawan Kalyan’s Ustaad Bhagat Singh opens weakly at the box office, with Day 1 collections falling significantly behind Prabhas’ The Raja Saab and Megastar Chiranjeevi’s Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu.
Shocking Start for Ustaad Bhagat Singh
Ustaad Bhagat Singh has shocked the trade with a below-par start at the box office. The film recorded very low openings, especially in Nizam, ROI, and overseas markets. Andhra saw a decent start, with the Ugadi holiday offering some support.
Overall, the film collected around ₹50 Cr gross worldwide on Day 1. This puts the film well behind the Sankranthi releases' breakeven targets, raising concerns about its theatrical prospects.
Day 1 Comparison with 2026 Biggies
Compared to the other two biggies released this year, Ustaad Bhagat Singh has opened far behind:
- The Raja Saab (Telugu Version): ₹90 Cr+
- Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu: ₹75 Cr
- Ustaad Bhagat Singh: ₹50 Cr
The gap is particularly significant considering Pawan Kalyan’s massive fan base and the film’s extensive pre-release buzz. Industry observers point to mixed reception of the film’s music and content as potential factors.
Weekend Holds the Key
A significant jump over the weekend is now crucial for the film’s box office prospects. The film needs strong word-of-mouth and sustained footfalls to recover from this disappointing start. Given the holiday advantage, the next few days will determine whether Ustaad Bhagat Singh can bounce back or if the Sankranthi box office message of content-driven success holds true once again.
With high stakes and theatrical commitments riding on the film, all eyes are now on the Day 2 and Day 3 performance.