Ustaad Bhagat Singh, starring Pawan Kalyan and directed by Harish Shankar, opened with high expectations at the box office.
Following the massive success of They Call Him OG, similar buzz surrounded this film. However, mixed reviews and stiff competition from Dhurandhar: The Revenge in the Telugu states have affected its momentum, particularly from Day 2.
Despite not having preview shows, the film benefited from special ticket pricing and managed a solid ₹34.75 crore net on Day 1 across 4,607 shows in India. However, Day 2 witnessed a sharp drop, with collections falling to ₹7.17 crore net. This brings the two-day total to ₹41.92 crore net, reflecting a steep decline of nearly 80%.
The strong run of Dhurandhar: The Revenge in the Telugu market, even without a complete dubbed release in certain areas, has added further pressure on Ustaad Bhagat Singh. The coming weekdays will be crucial in determining whether the film can stabilize its run.
The upcoming Eid holiday could offer a temporary boost, but it remains to be seen if the film can recover from this early setback.
The film features a notable ensemble cast including Sreeleela, Raashii Khanna, K. S. Ravikumar, R. Parthiban, Gautami, Rao Ramesh, and Satyam Rajesh in key roles.
Meanwhile, the film’s digital rights have been secured by Netflix, with its OTT premiere expected around April 24 in multiple languages.
Prakash Raj Sparks Controversy Over Dhurandhar 2 Praise
Versatile actor Prakash Raj is widely known not just for his powerful performances across multiple languages, but also for frequently landing in controversies due to his outspoken views on sensitive issues. His tendency to comment on public matters often keeps him in the spotlight.
Recently, he sparked debate by criticizing the portrayal of a “forced beef eating” scene in the trailer of The Kerala Story 2, drawing backlash for what many called selective criticism. Even before that issue settled, he stirred fresh controversy with a new social media post.
At a time when Dhurandhar 2 is receiving widespread appreciation, several top Telugu stars like Jr NTR, Allu Arjun, Ram Charan, and Mahesh Babu openly praised the film. Their appreciation was seen as a reflection of the healthy, non-competitive spirit within the industry.
However, Prakash Raj reacted with a cryptic post on X, stating: “Signs of obligations are spreading South too.. #justasking.” His comment was widely interpreted as an indirect dig at these actors, suggesting their praise may not have been entirely genuine.
This remark did not go down well with many, who felt it was unnecessary to question the intent of fellow actors expressing their personal opinions. Critics argue that while Prakash Raj is entitled to his views, such statements only create avoidable controversy.
For an actor of his stature, known for memorable performances, repeated involvement in controversies could prove counterproductive. There are already unconfirmed reports linking his outspoken nature to missed opportunities, including speculation around his exit from Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga.
While Prakash Raj has long been a vocal critic of Narendra Modi, many believe that balancing personal opinions with professional image is crucial. Otherwise, continued controversies could impact his career trajectory in the long run.