Mana Shankara VaraPrasad Garu is a 2026 Telugu-language action-comedy entertainer directed by Anil Ravipudi and headlined by megastar Chiranjeevi. Released during the highly competitive Sankranti 2026 window, the film generated massive pre-release buzz due to Chiranjeevi’s star power and his first-ever on-screen collaboration with Venkatesh.
Despite mixed critical reception, the film opened strongly at the box office and remained one of the most talked-about Telugu releases of early 2026.
Mana Shankara VaraPrasad Garu : Movie Overview
- Director & Writer: Anil Ravipudi
- Producers: Sahu Garapati, Sushmita Konidela
- Production Houses: Shine Screens, Gold Box Entertainments
- Music: Bheems Ceciroleo
- Release Date: 12 January 2026
- Language: Telugu
- Runtime: 165 minutes
- Budget: ₹200 crore
The story revolves around Shankara Vara Prasad, a high-ranking national security officer who gets an unexpected opportunity to reunite with his estranged wife and children while facing personal and professional conflicts.
🧠 Plot Summary
Shankara Vara Prasad, once separated from his wife Sasirekha due to ideological differences with her powerful father, lives with the pain of being away from his children. Years later, he disguises his identity to join his children’s boarding school as a PT teacher, slowly rebuilding his bond with them.
As family drama unfolds, a larger political and criminal conspiracy emerges involving an assassination attempt and a revenge-driven antagonist. The film balances family emotions, comedy, and action, culminating in Prasad reclaiming both his family and honor.
🌟 Star Cast
- Chiranjeevi as Shankara Vara Prasad
- Venkatesh as Venky Gowda
- Nayanthara as Sasirekha
- Catherine Tresa as Jwaala
- Sachin Khedekar, Sudev Nair, Abhinav Gomatam, Harsha Vardhan (supporting roles)
The Chiranjeevi–Venkatesh pairing was one of the film’s biggest highlights and a major crowd-pulling factor.
Mana Shankara VaraPrasad Garu : Music & Songs
Music by Bheems Ceciroleo played a key role in the film’s promotions. Songs like “Mega Victory Mass” and “Meesaala Pilla” gained popularity, especially among mass audiences, and boosted the film’s festive appeal.
📊 Latest Box Office Collection (Worldwide)
Despite facing competition and mixed reviews, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu delivered a solid box office performance.
🔹 Opening Day
- Worldwide Gross: ₹65 crore
- India Gross: ₹44.75 crore
- Overseas: ~$2.3 million
This marked Chiranjeevi’s second-highest opening day after Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy.
📅 Box Office Summary Table
| Metric | Collection |
|---|---|
| Budget | ₹200 crore |
| Opening Day Worldwide | ₹65 crore |
| Opening Weekend (Est.) | ₹135 crore |
| India Gross (Till Date) | ~₹150 crore |
| Overseas Gross (Till Date) | ~₹29 crore |
| Worldwide Total (Latest) | ~₹179 crore |
✅ Latest estimates suggest the film is close to the ₹180-crore mark worldwide.
Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu Box Office Trend (Worldwide)
📉 Hit or Flop Verdict?
From a trade perspective:
- Strong opening due to star power & Sankranti release
- Steady collections in family centers
- Drop after first week due to mixed word of mouth
With a ₹200-crore budget, the film is currently classified as a below-expectation grosser / average performer, but not a disaster—especially considering theatrical rights and satellite/OTT recoveries.
📝 Critical Reception (Quick Take)
Critics largely praised Chiranjeevi’s screen presence and performance, while pointing out weaknesses in the screenplay and second half. Audience response was stronger in single screens and family circuits than in multiplexes.
🏁 Final Verdict
Mana Shankara VaraPrasad Garu may not be Chiranjeevi’s biggest blockbuster, but it successfully delivered festive entertainment, strong openings, and solid theatrical revenue. The film proves once again that Chiranjeevi’s box office pull remains intact, especially during festival releases.
For fans, it’s a one-time watch with mass moments; for the trade, a reminder of how star power can still guarantee a strong start.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
🔹 Is Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu a hit or flop?
Mana Shankara VaraPrasad Garu is currently considered an average to below-expectation performer at the box office. While it did not achieve “hit” status theatrically, its strong opening and festive run helped it avoid the flop category. Non-theatrical revenues (OTT, satellite, music rights) are expected to improve overall recovery.
🔹 What is the total budget of Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu?
The estimated production budget of Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu is around ₹200 crore. This includes star remuneration, large-scale production costs, music, promotions, and festival release expenses.
🔹 How much did Mana Shankara VaraPrasad Garu collect worldwide?
As per the latest available trade estimates, the film has collected approximately ₹175–180 crore worldwide.
- India Gross: ~₹150 crore
- Overseas Gross: ~₹29 crore
The film opened strongly with ₹65 crore worldwide on Day 1, making it one of the biggest Telugu openings of 2026.
🔹 What was the opening day collection of the film?
The film recorded an impressive ₹65 crore worldwide opening day collection, including around ₹44.75 crore from India and nearly $2.3 million from overseas markets. This marked one of Chiranjeevi’s highest openings in his career.
🔹 Did the film recover its budget?
From theatrical collections alone, the film is slightly short of full recovery. However, when combined with satellite rights, OTT streaming deals, and music rights, Mana Shankara VaraPrasad Garu is expected to recover a major portion of its overall investment.
🔹 How did the film perform compared to other Sankranti releases?
Compared to other Sankranti releases, the film had a strong opening but moderate long-term hold. It performed well in mass and family centres but saw average performance in multiplexes and urban markets due to mixed word of mouth.