Titanic Tourist Submarine Missing: Underwater Noises Detected

The first quarter of 2026 has wrapped up, and it has been a mixed phase for Tollywood. In just three months, over 40 films hit the screens, but when it comes to solid box office success, only one film truly stood tall — Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, starring Chiranjeevi. The film emerged as the lone blockbuster of the quarter.

Sankranthi Sentiment Continues

A curious trend seems to be repeating in Tollywood over the past few years. Big-ticket Sankranthi releases arrive with massive expectations but fail to fully deliver. Films like Guntur Kaaram (2024), Game Changer (2025), and this year’s The Raja Saab followed a similar pattern — strong hype, but not the expected box office explosion.

However, January still remained a strong month overall. Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu dominated the season as a clear blockbuster. Meanwhile, Anaganaga Oka Raju performed reasonably well and secured a hit status. Despite production hurdles like reshoots, a heroine change, and budget escalation, the film managed decent returns.

February Turns Disappointing

Unlike its usual track record, February failed to deliver even a single success this year. Traditionally considered a favorable month with films like DJ Tillu, Uppena, and Bheeshma finding success in previous years, 2026 broke that sentiment completely.

Adding to the disappointment, Funky turned out to be a major setback, further dampening the month’s performance.

March Delivers a Shock

March didn’t offer much relief either. The biggest shock came with Ustaad Bhagat Singh, starring Pawan Kalyan and directed by Harish Shankar. Despite huge expectations, the film ended up as a flop, surprising both fans and trade circles.

The only saving grace for the month was Dhurandhar 2. Though a dubbed film, it managed to pull decent collections and is continuing its run steadily in theatres.

Overall First Quarter Report

In summary, the first quarter of 2026 delivered one clear blockbuster in Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, while Anaganaga Oka Raju and Nari Nari Naduma Murari emerged as hits.

On the flip side, films like The Raja Saab, Funky, and Ustaad Bhagat Singh came as major disappointments. Meanwhile, Couple Friendly, though not a box office success, gained appreciation as a well-made film.

Overall, Tollywood’s first quarter offered a blend of one mega blockbuster, a few decent hits, and a couple of unexpected setbacks, setting a cautious tone for the rest of the year.