Chiranjeevi's Sankranti 2026 Storm: How 'Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu' Is Dominating the Festival Box Office

As the Sankranti festival lights up homes across India, Megastar Chiranjeevi has sparked an even bigger celebration in theaters with his latest family entertainer 'Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu'. Released on January 12, 2026, the Anil Ravipudi directorial has emerged as the undisputed box office champion of the Sankranti season, crossing the Rs 152 crore gross worldwide mark within just three days of release.

The film's dominance began even before its official release, with paid premieres alone collecting an estimated Rs 24 crore gross worldwide—marking the highest premiere collection for a senior Tollywood hero in recent memory. This early momentum translated into a powerful opening day performance of Rs 41.60 crore India net collection, with worldwide collections touching Rs 71 crore. By the end of its opening weekend, the film had accumulated Rs 79.60 crore in India net collections, establishing itself as Chiranjeevi's second-biggest opener in his illustrious career.

What makes this success particularly significant is the film's ability to connect with the family audience during the festive season. Director Anil Ravipudi, known for his crowd-pleasing entertainers, has crafted a film that plays to Chiranjeevi's greatest strength—his impeccable comic timing. Social media reactions from early shows highlighted the Megastar's return to his vintage, high-energy avatar, with fans celebrating what many called his most entertaining performance in his second innings.

The first half of the film has been universally praised for its engaging flow and Chiranjeevi's free-flowing screen presence. Trade analysts and audience members alike have noted that Ravipudi wisely chose to focus on comedy rather than action, allowing Chiranjeevi to showcase the charisma that made him a superstar in the first place. The interval block, in particular, has been drawing loud cheers in theaters across the country.

However, the film hasn't escaped criticism entirely. Professional critics have given it ratings ranging from 2.5 to 3.25 out of 5, with the most common complaint being the predictable screenplay and an uneven second half. Some reviewers noted that the momentum drops after the interval, with repetitive scenes and a simplistic climax holding the film back from being a complete blockbuster. The IMDB rating currently stands at 6.4 out of 10, reflecting this mixed critical response.

Despite these reservations, audiences have voted with their feet and their wallets. The film has successfully outperformed its Sankranti competition, including Prabhas's 'The Raja Saab', which released on January 9. While multiple big-budget Telugu films crowded the festive release window—including Ravi Teja's 'Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi', Sharwanand's 'Nari Nari Naduma Murari', and Naveen Polishetty's 'Anaganaga Oka Raju'—Chiranjeevi's film has emerged as the clear winner in terms of both collections and audience reception.

The casting has also worked in the film's favor. Nayanthara as the female lead brings credibility and star power, while Victory Venkatesh's cameo appearance has been described as one of the film's highlights. The chemistry between Chiranjeevi and the supporting cast, combined with Bheems Ceciroleo's music, has created the perfect recipe for a festive family entertainer.

Overseas markets have responded equally enthusiastically, with the US premiere shows alone earning around $1 million. The film's appeal to the Telugu diaspora has been evident in the strong word-of-mouth coming from international audiences, who have praised Chiranjeevi's energetic performance and the film's family-friendly content.

Industry observers note that this success is particularly important for Chiranjeevi, who has been selective about his projects in recent years. 'Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu' proves that when matched with the right director and the right material, the Megastar still has the pull to draw massive audiences. The film's success also validates Anil Ravipudi's understanding of commercial cinema and his ability to extract the best from his actors.

As the Sankranti celebrations continue, 'Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu' is expected to maintain its strong hold on theaters. With the festival advantage working in its favor and positive word-of-mouth spreading among family audiences, the film is well-positioned to join the Rs 200 crore club in the coming weeks. For Chiranjeevi's legion of fans, this Sankranti has delivered exactly what they hoped for—a vintage Megastar performance wrapped in a wholesome family entertainer.