Prabhas has become a major figure in Telugu cinema, especially following the success of “Baahubali,” which helped him achieve pan-India star status. His films have consistently opened to ₹100-crore collections, leading many actors to shy away from releasing films alongside his projects. However, Chiranjeevi, a legendary superstar, opted to challenge this trend this year, facing off against Prabhas.
The box office clash began with Prabhas’ film “The Raja Saab,” released on January 9, 2026. This horror comedy captured audiences’ attention with a solid opening, grossing ₹64 crore net in India and ₹100 crore worldwide on its first day. Despite this strong start, the film suffered from negative reviews, leading to a significant drop in collections over the subsequent days, ultimately earning less than ₹5 crore net by the following Tuesday.
In contrast, Chiranjeevi’s “Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu,” which debuted shortly after on a Monday, opened to ₹41 crore net in India and ₹65 crore globally. Unlike its competitor, this film maintained robust collections throughout the Sankranti holidays. Over the next three days, it amassed ₹60 crore net in India and ₹85 crore worldwide. Comparatively, “The Raja Saab” managed only ₹15 crore net in India during this period, highlighting a striking 300% advantage for Chiranjeevi’s film.
The appeal of “Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu” can be attributed to its simpler and more engaging narrative. Both films attempted to showcase their stars in nostalgic roles, but only one resonated with the audience. While Prabhas aimed to return to a softer persona, blending comedy and romance, “The Raja Saab” struggled with its identity between being a horror comedy and a grand star vehicle. This confusion likely contributed to its lack of audience engagement. On the other hand, Chiranjeevi’s film succeeded in delivering the promised entertainment and star power, proving more effective in connecting with viewers.