Chiranjeevi’s ‘Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu’ Eyes $1 Million Premiere in North America

Chiranjeevi and Anil Ravipudi’s Action-Comedy Dominates U.S. Advance Sales; Last-Minute Legal Twist Stalls Release Until Late January

January 10, 2026: Even before the first frame hits the screen, Megastar Chiranjeevi’s latest outing, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu (popularly known by its acronym MSG), is proving why he remains the undisputed king of Telugu cinema’s global market. The film is currently on a record-breaking streak in North America, with early ticket sales suggesting a potential $1 million premiere night.

North American Box Office: The $1 Million Dream

Directed by mass-entertainer specialist Anil Ravipudi, the film has seen an unprecedented surge in overseas demand.

• Current Standings: As of Saturday, January 10, 2026, U.S. advance sales have hit approximately $570,000.
• North American Total: When combined with Canadian bookings, the total stands at $605,000, with two days still to go for the scheduled premieres.
• Milestone in Sight: If the current momentum holds, Chiranjeevi is poised to secure his second-ever $1 million premiere in the region—a rare feat that underscores the growing dominance of Telugu cinema in international premium markets.

Interestingly, the film is achieving these numbers through standard screens, having opted out of premium formats (like IMAX). Standard screens alone have contributed over $500,000 to the total collection, proving that the Megastar’s brand is enough to pull crowds without technical gimmicks.

The Plot & Casting Coup

The film marks the first-ever collaboration between Chiranjeevi and Nayanthara under Anil Ravipudi’s direction.

• Chiranjeevi’s Avatar: The Megastar plays a dual-shaded role—introduced as a domestic man handling household chores, who eventually reveals his true identity as a high-octane National Security Advisor (NIA) officer.
• The ‘Victory’ Factor: Adding to the mass appeal is a significant cameo by Venkatesh Daggubati. The trailer hints at a nostalgic and fun exchange between the two veterans, trading banter about their “mass” versus “family” movie personas.
• Leading Lady: Nayanthara stars as ‘Sashirekha,’ a dynamic character who gives the Megastar a run for his money in the romance department.

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Last-Minute Legal Setback

Despite the box office euphoria, the film faces a sudden hurdle back home. Originally slated for a grand Sankranthi/Pongal release on January 12, the film’s release was stalled on Friday by a last-minute court order.

• The Delay: A legal dispute has pushed the next hearing to January 21, 2026.
• Screen Conflict: The postponement of Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan due to censorship issues had initially opened up key screens for MSG. However, with the court’s intervention, Chiranjeevi’s release plans now face significant uncertainty, especially since North American screens booked for Vijay’s film are not being reassigned.

Quick Facts: Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu

Feature	Details
Director	Anil Ravipudi
Cast	Chiranjeevi, Nayanthara, Venkatesh (Cameo), Catherine Tresa
Producers	Sahu Garapati & Sushmita Konidela
U.S. Pre-Sales	$605,000+ (North America)
Planned Release	January 12, 2026 (Delayed)