Tollywood Needs Solid Bo Hit

Ustaad Bhagat Singh, Pawan Kalyan’s much-hyped summer release, failed to meet expectations despite massive fanfare. The Harish Shankar directorial, made on a ₹150 crore budget, netted just ₹72.34 crore in India and ended at ₹96.76 crore worldwide. Declared a flop, it caused significant losses for distributors.

Ram Charan’s Peddi, directed by Buchi Babu Sana, fared better but fell short of blockbuster status. The sports drama grossed ₹400 crore worldwide in 13 days and became 2026’s highest-grossing Telugu film. Yet trade expected a larger impact. With no runaway hit, Tollywood still seeks a genuine market-reviving super success. Maa Inti Bangaaram is the only solace this summer.

Industry hopes now rest on two July releases. Satyadev’s Rao Bahadur, a psychological drama directed by Venkatesh Maha, hits theatres July 3. Presented by Mahesh Babu, it blends suspense, dark comedy, and magical realism. Trade buzz suggests pan-India distributor interest, but its experimental tone targets multiplex audiences.

Akhil Akkineni’s Lenin, a rural action drama by Murali Kishor Abburu, releases July 10. Featuring Bhagyashri Borse, it’s positioned as a mass commercial entertainer. Nagarjuna promises “a new Akhil”. Whether either film delivers the needed boost remains the key question for TFI.