The upcoming Sankranti weekend will see a clash between several Telugu films, including the highly anticipated Mahesh Babu-starrer Guntur Kaaram and the mythological superhero film HanuMan. Directed by Trivikram Srinivas, Guntur Kaaram is a classic ‘masala’ entertainer that also stars Sreeleela. The film is expected to continue the momentum set by the Prabhas-starrer Salaar, making it a promising start to the new year for the Telugu box office. Joining them are three other films – HanuMan, Saindhav, and Naa Saami Ranga – all vying for attention this weekend.
Based on reports from industry tracker Sacnilk, Guntur Kaaram has already sold advance tickets worth nearly Rs 25 crore for its opening day in India alone. HanuMan, on the other hand, has sold advance tickets worth Rs 3 crore so far. Salaar had surpassed expectations with an opening day domestic collection of Rs 90 crore and has since earned Rs 400 crore in India and over Rs 700 crore globally.
Also read – Guntur Kaaram Release and Review Live Updates: Early reviews call Mahesh Babu film a Sakranti blockbuster, film opens with massive Rs 24.7 cr advance booking
Unlike Salaar, which had a wide reach across the country, Guntur Kaaram is expected to primarily attract audiences from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The film has sold over Rs 10 crore worth of advance tickets in Andhra Pradesh, and another Rs 10 crore in Telangana. The film’s official social media accounts have reported a preview gross of $1.3 million in the US, equivalent to Rs 10 crore. In comparison, Salaar had achieved $2.5 million in Thursday previews, and went on to earn $5.5 million in its opening weekend.
Mahesh Babu’s last film, Sarkaru Vaari Paata, was a hit with over Rs 200 crore in global box office earnings. His highest-grossing film remains Sarileru Neekevvaru, released in the same period in 2020, which grossed Rs 260 crore worldwide, including Rs 45 crore on its opening day in India. The actor is set to begin work on what could be the biggest film of his career, a globe-trotting adventure movie directed by SS Rajamouli, serving as the filmmaker’s follow-up to RRR.