The USA premieres advance sales figures, tracked seven days before release, clearly highlight the growing dominance of Telugu cinema in overseas markets. The numbers not only reflect star power but also underline how Telugu films have become a major force in the North American box office even before release.
Topping the list is Kalki 2898 AD, which has collected an impressive $1.66 million from 3,278 shows across the USA. Starring Prabhas and directed by Nag Ashwin, the ambitious sci-fi epic generated massive anticipation due to its futuristic setting and scale, making it the strongest advance performer.
Close behind is Pushpa 2: The Rule, which earned around $1.6 million from 3,585 shows. Allu Arjun, under the direction of Sukumar, continues to enjoy immense popularity in the US, and the blockbuster success of Pushpa: The Rise significantly boosted the sequel’s pre-release demand.
Next is OG, collecting $1.56 million from just 1,861 shows. Starring Pawan Kalyan and directed by Sujeeth, the film’s strong numbers despite fewer shows highlight the actor’s highly loyal overseas fan base.
Very close is Devara, which garnered $1.55 million from 1,804 shows. Featuring Jr NTR and directed by Koratala Siva, the film benefited greatly from Jr NTR’s expanded global recognition following RRR.
Salaar recorded $755K from 1,279 shows. With Prabhas in the lead and Prashanth Neel at the helm, the film carried strong momentum driven by its intense action and KGF-style mass appeal.
Further down the list, Game Changer collected $414K. Starring Ram Charan and directed by Shankar, the film attracted attention for its political backdrop and the combination of a top Telugu star with a celebrated Tamil filmmaker.
The Raja Saab earned $331K, with Prabhas once again in the spotlight and Maruthi directing. Curiosity surrounding the film’s genre mix played a key role in its advance bookings.
From Bollywood, War 2 brought in $246K. Starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, and directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film is gradually building momentum as promotions pick up.
Finally, Hari Hara Veera Mallu collected $190K in advance sales. Led by Pawan Kalyan and directed by Krish Jagarlamudi, the period drama is expected to see stronger growth closer to its release.
Overall, these advance sales figures firmly establish Telugu cinema as a dominant player in the US market. With massive pre-release traction, overseas audiences have become crucial to the commercial success of Indian films, especially big-budget Telugu releases.
Maruthi’s Raja Saab Comment Sparks Fan Backlash Ahead of Sankranthi 2026
Director Maruthi is leaving no stone unturned in promoting his upcoming directorial, The Raja Saab, starring Superstar Prabhas, one of the most anticipated films of the Sankranthi 2026 season. While he aims to project the film as a grand-scale project with a strong narrative, some of his recent comments during an interview have sparked debate among fans and cinephiles.
Maruthi revealed that The Raja Saab took three years to complete because he had to craft a “big story” to match Prabhas’ larger-than-life image. “If there is any other star involved, you could have wrapped the film like a parcel (Potlam). But with Prabhas, we needed a solid story, and that takes time,” he said, highlighting the effort invested in creating a blockbuster-ready narrative.
However, the statement did not sit well with many fans, who felt it was unnecessarily dismissive of other actors and filmmakers. Critics noted that cinema is a collaborative art, and success relies heavily on content, not just star power. Social media quickly turned Maruthi’s comments into memes, questioning both the remark and his own filmography.
While The Raja Saab promises to be a visual spectacle and a major release for the Sankranthi season, Maruthi’s words serve as a reminder that promotion needs to balance confidence with respect for the wider industry.